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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 26:21 Then Saul replied, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/09_1Sa_26_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 26:21 - Saul Acknowledges His Sin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Saul replied, I have sinned. Come back, David my son. 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Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.” <a href="/esv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.” <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!” <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/26.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.” <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again since my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have made a very great mistake.” <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Saul said, &#8220I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.” <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.” <a href="/amp/1_samuel/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Hear me, I have played the fool and have done a very great wrong [to you].” <a href="/csb/1_samuel/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul responded, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I’ve committed a grave error.” <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul responded, &#8220I have sinned. Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I&#8217ve committed a grave error.&#8221 <a href="/asv/1_samuel/26.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "David, you had the chance to kill me today. But you didn't. I was very wrong about you. It was a terrible mistake for me to try to kill you. I've acted like a fool, but I'll never try to harm you again. You're like a son to me, so please come back." <a href="/erv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "My servant David," Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back. I will not harm you again, because you valued my life today. I've acted like a fool and made a terrible mistake." <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/26.htm">Good News Translation</a> Saul answered, "I have done wrong. Come back, David, my son! I will never harm you again, because you have spared my life tonight. I have been a fool! I have done a terrible thing!" <a href="/isv/1_samuel/26.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Saul said, "I've wronged you. Return, my son David, for I won't harm you again because my life was precious to you today. Look, I've acted foolishly and have made a very great mistake." <a href="/msb/1_samuel/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Saul replied, ?I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!? <a href="/net/1_samuel/26.htm">NET Bible</a> Saul replied, "I have sinned. Come back, my son David. I won't harm you, for you treated my life with value this day. I have behaved foolishly and have made a very terrible mistake!" <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son David, for I will not harm you, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Look, I have behaved foolishly, and have made a great mistake." <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thy eyes this day: behold I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/web/1_samuel/26.htm">World English Bible</a> Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Saul says, “I have sinned; return, my son David, for I do evil to you no more, because that my soul has been precious in your eyes this day; behold, I have acted foolishly, and err very greatly.” <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Saul saith, 'I have sinned; turn back, my son David, for I do evil to thee no more, because that my soul hath been precious in thine eyes this day; lo, I have acted foolishly, and do err very greatly.' <a href="/slt/1_samuel/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Saul will say, I sinned; turn back my son David: for I will no more, do to thee evil because that my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I was foolish, and I shall go very much astray.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Saul said: I have sinned, return, my son David, for I will no more do thee harm, because my life hath been precious in thy eyes this day: for it appeareth that I have done foolishly, and have been ignorant in very many things. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Saul said: “I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will never again do evil to you, because my life has been precious in your eyes this day. For it is apparent that I have acted senselessly, and have been ignorant of very many things.” <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Saul said: “I have done wrong. Come back, David, my son! I will not harm you again, because you considered my life precious today even though I have been a fool and have made a serious mistake.” <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Saul said, “I have done wrong; come back, my son David, for I will never harm you again, because my life was precious in your sight today; I have been a fool, and have made a great mistake.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Saul said to David, I have sinned; return, my son David: for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shaul said to David: “I have sinned! Return, my son, David, because I shall do no harm to you again, because you reverenced my life in your eyes today, behold, I have acted perversely and I have sinned very greatly!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said Saul: 'I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.' <a href="/sep/1_samuel/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Saul said, I have sinned: turn, son David, for I will not hurt thee, because my life was precious in thine eyes; and to-day I have been foolish and have erred exceedingly. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=8037" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Saul Acknowledges His Sin</a> 21<a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Then Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ḥā·ṭā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">“I have sinned.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šūḇ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Come back,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nî- (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">my son.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I will never</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: ’ā·ra‘ (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">harm</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">again,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">today</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">you considered</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my life</a> <a href="/hebrew/3365.htm" title="3365: yā·qə·rāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To be precious, prized or appraised. A primitive root; properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. valuable; causatively, to make rare.">precious.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5528.htm" title="5528: his·kal·tî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To be foolish or a fool. For kacal; to be silly.">I have played the fool</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">and have committed a grave</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7686.htm" title="7686: wā·’eš·geh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to stray, usually to mistake, especially to transgress; by extension to reel, be enraptured.">error!”</a> 22“Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of the young men come over and get it.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">1 Samuel 15:24</a> Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17</a> and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a> Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27-29</a> When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.” <a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1-4</a> For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ... <a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Matthew 27:3-4</a> When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” <a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18-19</a> I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ <a href="/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4-5</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. <a href="/2_corinthians/7-9.htm">2 Corinthians 7:9-10</a> yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. / Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a> Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. <a href="/genesis/4-13.htm">Genesis 4:13</a> But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. <a href="/exodus/10-16.htm">Exodus 10:16-17</a> Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. / Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.” <a href="/numbers/22-34.htm">Numbers 22:34</a> “I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.” <a href="/judges/10-10.htm">Judges 10:10</a> Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.” <a href="/2_samuel/24-10.htm">2 Samuel 24:10</a> After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do you harm, because my soul was precious in your eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.I have sinned<a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">1 Samuel 15:24,30</a> And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice… <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17</a> And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.<a href="/exodus/9-27.htm">Exodus 9:27</a> And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.I will no<a href="/1_samuel/27-4.htm">1 Samuel 27:4</a> And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.my soul<a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">1 Samuel 26:24</a> And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.<a href="/1_samuel/18-30.htm">1 Samuel 18:30</a> Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.<a href="/psalms/49-8.htm">Psalm 49:8</a> (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-2.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-17.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/numbers/15-28.htm">Erred</a> <a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Error</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-12.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-15.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">Life</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-9.htm">Played</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-1.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-9.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-16.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">Today</a> <a href="/ruth/3-1.htm">Try</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-18.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/22-22.htm">Acted</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-10.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-21.htm">Considered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-22.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/job/6-24.htm">Erred</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-7.htm">Error</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-20.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-18.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-5.htm">Played</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-25.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-21.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-24.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-23.htm">Today</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-1.htm">Try</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-14.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 26</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David</a> 4. <a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul, </a> 11. <a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">but takes his spear and jug</a> 13. <a href="/1_samuel/26-13.htm">David reproves Abner</a> 17. <a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">and exhorts Saul</a> 21. <a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Saul acknowledges his sin</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This admission by Saul is significant as it reflects a moment of self-awareness and acknowledgment of wrongdoing. In the biblical narrative, Saul's reign is marked by disobedience to God, as seen in earlier chapters (<a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">1 Samuel 15:24</a>). His confession here echoes the broader biblical theme of repentance, though Saul's repentance often lacks the depth and sincerity seen in figures like David (Psalm 51).Come back, David my son. Saul's use of "my son" indicates a personal and familial relationship, highlighting the tragedy of their conflict. David was once a favored member of Saul's court and his son-in-law (<a href="/1_samuel/18-27.htm">1 Samuel 18:27</a>). This plea for David's return suggests a desire for reconciliation, though it is complicated by Saul's previous attempts on David's life (<a href="/1_samuel/19.htm">1 Samuel 19:1</a>).I will never harm you again, Saul's promise not to harm David is significant given his history of pursuing David out of jealousy and fear (<a href="/1_samuel/18-8.htm">1 Samuel 18:8-9</a>). This statement can be seen as an attempt to restore trust, though it is undermined by Saul's inconsistent behavior throughout the narrative.because today you considered my life precious. David's decision to spare Saul's life, despite having the opportunity to kill him, demonstrates his respect for God's anointed king (<a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9-11</a>). This act of mercy reflects David's character and foreshadows the teachings of Jesus on loving one's enemies (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>).I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!” Saul's admission of folly and error is a poignant moment of self-reflection. The term "fool" in biblical literature often denotes someone who acts contrary to God's wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). Saul's acknowledgment of his mistakes highlights the tragic nature of his kingship, which is marked by a failure to fully submit to God's will. This contrasts with David, who, despite his own sins, is described as a man after God's own heart (<a href="/1_samuel/13-14.htm">1 Samuel 13:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to his eventual rejection as king. 2. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel while Saul was still reigning. David is known for his faithfulness to God and his refusal to harm Saul, despite being pursued by him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_ziph.htm">The Wilderness of Ziph</a> A region in Judah where David was hiding from Saul. It is the setting for this encounter between Saul and David. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ziphites.htm">The Ziphites</a> Inhabitants of the Wilderness of Ziph who betrayed David's location to Saul, leading to this confrontation. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_spear_and_water_jug.htm">The Spear and Water Jug</a> Symbols of Saul's vulnerability and David's mercy. David took these items from Saul's camp to prove he could have killed Saul but chose not to.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_acknowledgment_of_sin.htm">Repentance and Acknowledgment of Sin</a> Saul's admission, "I have sinned," highlights the importance of recognizing and confessing our wrongdoings before God and others. <a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life_and_mercy.htm">The Value of Life and Mercy</a> David's sparing of Saul's life demonstrates the value of mercy and the sanctity of life, even towards those who seek to harm us. <a href="/topical/f/foolishness_of_sin.htm">Foolishness of Sin</a> Saul's statement, "I have acted like a fool," serves as a reminder of the foolishness and consequences of sin when we act outside of God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_forgiveness.htm">The Power of Forgiveness</a> David's willingness to forgive Saul points to the transformative power of forgiveness in healing relationships and reflecting God's grace. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a> David's restraint shows his trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into his own hands, encouraging us to rely on God's timing and judgment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26</a> <a href="/q/why_is_david_merciful_to_saul_in_1_sam_24.htm">Why does David's mercy toward Saul in 1 Samuel 24 contradict other violent actions David takes elsewhere in Scripture?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_believers_face_conflict_despite_faith.htm">Proverbs 16:7 claims that when a person’s ways please the Lord, their enemies are at peace with them—how does this account for believers who suffer relentless persecution or conflict?</a> <a href="/q/why_wasn't_abner_punished_for_failing_saul.htm">Why did Abner, responsible for guarding Saul, face no immediate consequences for failing to protect the king? (1 Samuel 26:15–16) </a> <a href="/q/why_does_saul_chase_david_in_1_sam_26.htm">If Saul previously admitted David’s righteousness in 1 Samuel 24, why is he chasing David again in 1 Samuel 26? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/26.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) I have played the fool.--There seems something more in these words of Saul than sorrow for the past. He seems to blame himself here, as the Dean of Canterbury well suggests, for putting himself again in David's power through overweening confidence in his own strength. He reproaches himself with the unguarded state of his camp, but he pledges himself to do no harm to David for the future. He even begs that he will return to his court. But in these words, and also in his blessing of David (<a href="/1_samuel/26-25.htm" title="Then Saul said to David, Blessed be you, my son David: you shall both do great things, and also shall still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.">1Samuel 26:25</a>), there is a ring of falseness; and this was evidently the impression made on the outlaw, for he not only silently declined the royal overtures, but almost immediately removed from the dominions of Saul altogether, feeling that for him and his there was no longer any hope of security in the land of Israel so long as his foe, King Saul, lived.Here the two whom Samuel had anointed as kings--the king who has forfeited his crown, and the king of the golden future--parted for ever. They never looked on each other's faces again; not even when the great warrior Saul by dead was his former friend able to take a farewell look at the face he once loved so well. The kindest services his faithful subjects of Jabesh Gilead could show to their king's dishonoured remains, for which they had risked their lives, was at once, with all solemnity and mourning, to burn the disfigured body, and to draw a veil of flame over the mutilated corpse of Saul.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/26.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - I have sinned. Saul's answer here is very different from that in <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17-21</a>, where the main idea was wonder that David should with such magnanimity spare the life of an enemy so manifestly delivered into his hand. Here a sense of vexation seems uppermost, and of annoyance, not merely because his purpose was frustrated, but because his own military arrangements had been so unsoldierlike. I have played the fool. His first enterprise had ended in placing his life in David's power, and it was folly indeed a second time to repeat the attempt. But though the words of Saul convey the idea rather of vexation with himself than of sorrow for his maliciousness, yet in one point there is a sign of better things. He bids David return, evidently with reference to the grief expressed with such genuine feeling by David at being driven away from Jehovah's land. It was of course impossible, as Saul had given David's wife to another, and David had himself married two other women, but at least it expressed a right and kindly feeling. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Saul שָׁא֨וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites replied, וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I have sinned. חָטָ֜אתִי (ḥā·ṭā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn Come back, שׁ֣וּב (šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again David, דָוִ֗ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse my son. בְּנִֽי־ (bə·nî-) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son I will never לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no harm אָרַ֤ע (’ā·ra‘) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad you לְךָ֙ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> again, ע֔וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more because תַּ֠חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of today הַיּ֣וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day you considered בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain my life נַפְשִׁ֛י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion precious. יָקְרָ֥ה (yā·qə·rāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3365.htm">Strong's 3365: </a> To be heavy, valuable, to make rare I have played the fool! הִסְכַּ֛לְתִּי (his·kal·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5528.htm">Strong's 5528: </a> To be foolish or a fool I have committed a grave הַרְבֵּ֥ה (har·bêh) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> To be or become much, many or great error.” וָאֶשְׁגֶּ֖ה (wā·’eš·geh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7686.htm">Strong's 7686: </a> To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enraptured <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/26-21.htm">1 Samuel 26:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 26:21 Then said Saul I have sinned: return (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/26-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>