1 Samuel 26

The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?”

Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.

Then David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.

Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him.

Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”

David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?”

David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.

The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let’s go.”

So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them;

and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king.

This thing isn’t good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.”

Saul recognized David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

He said, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?

Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before the LORD; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to the LORD’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’

Now therefore, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

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.”

David answered, “Behold the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and get it.

The LORD will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because the LORD delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

Behold, as your life was respected today in my eyes, so let my life be respected in the LORD’s eyes, and let him deliver me out of all oppression.”

Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter recounts a second critical encounter between David and Saul in the wilderness, where David again refrains from harming the Lord’s anointed despite having clear opportunity. It reinforces David’s忠诚 to God’s appointed king and highlights Saul’s repeated failure to recognize God’s hand in David’s restraint. The chapter stands within the larger narrative showing the transfer of kingship from Saul to David, not by human ambition but by divine timing and faithfulness.

Flow.

The Ziphites betray David’s location to Saul, prompting Saul to pursue him with a military force.
David, learning of Saul’s encampment, secretly enters it at night and reaches Saul’s bed, accompanied only by Abishai.
Abishai urges David to kill Saul, but David refuses, affirming Saul’s status as the LORD’s anointed, and instead takes Saul’s spear and water jar as proof of his integrity.
From a safe distance, David confronts the camp, exposing Abner’s failure and calling Saul to account, leading to Saul’s temporary repentance and acknowledgment of David’s righteousness.

Connections. Following chapter 25, where David avoids bloodshed after Nabal’s folly and is reconciled through Abigail’s wisdom, this chapter returns to the theme of David’s self-restraint in the face of danger. It mirrors the earlier encounter in chapter 24, where David also spared Saul in a cave, thus reinforcing a consistent pattern of David’s respect for God’s ordination. Like that earlier scene, Saul acknowledges his sin and blesses David—yet both episodes end with Saul returning to his former ways, setting the stage for the final collapse recorded in chapter 28 and David’s eventual ascent in chapter 31.

What it teaches. The chapter upholds the sacredness of God’s ordained authority, even when that authority is exercised unjustly. David’s refusal to harm Saul rests on the principle that rebellion against the anointed king is rebellion against God’s ordination (WCF 23.4). His appeal to the Lord’s judgment (v. 10) reflects trust in divine justice rather than human intervention (; HC LD 39). The deep sleep that falls on Saul’s men (v. 12) demonstrates God’s sovereign protection of David, affirming that the timing of kingship rests in divine hands (WCF 3.7; CD I.17). Saul’s fleeting repentance shows the difference between temporary remorse and true conversion (HC LD 75–76).

Apply. When wronged by those in authority, act in a way that honors God’s appointed order and leaves judgment to Him.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.