1 Samuel 26:17

17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "David, my son, is that your voice?" David said, "Yes it is, my master the king.

1 Samuel 26:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:17

And Saul knew David's voice
Though Abner at first did not, as appears by his words, but Saul did, by being this time thoroughly awake through the discourse that passed between David and Abner:

and said, [is] this thy voice, my son David?
the same question he put before, when he followed him out of the cave, (See Gill on 1 Samuel 24:16):

and David said, [it is] my voice, my lord, O king;
he not only owns him to be king, whom he sought not to depose, but his own liege lord and sovereign, whose commands he was ready to obey.

1 Samuel 26:17 In-Context

15 David answered Abner, "You are a man, aren't you? And you have no equal in Israel, right? Then why haven't you kept watch over your master the king? One of the soldiers came to kill your master the king.

16 What you've done is terrible! As surely as the LORD lives, all of you are dead men because you didn't keep close watch over your master, the LORD's anointed. Have a look around! Where are the king's spear and the water jug that were by his head?"

17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "David, my son, is that your voice?" David said, "Yes it is, my master the king.

18 Why," David continued, "is my master chasing me, his servant? What have I done and what wrong am I guilty of?

19 My master the king, please listen to what your servant has to say. If it is the LORD who has incited you against me, then let him accept an offering! But if human beings have done it, then let them be cursed before the LORD because they have now driven me off, keeping me from sharing in the LORD's inheritance. ‘Go!' they tell me. ‘Worship other gods!'