1 Samuel 26:18

18 He said, Why does my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?

1 Samuel 26:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:18

And he said, wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his
servant?
&c.] Suggesting that it was both below him to do it, and against his interest; for David was his servant, and he would gladly have continued in his service, and done his business, but he drove him from it, and pursued him as a traitor, when he had not been guilty of any offence to his knowledge: and therefore puts the following questions:

for what have I done? or what evil [is] in mine hand?
what crime had he committed, that he was pursued after this manner, and his life sought for? what had he done worthy of death? having a clear conscience, he could boldly ask these questions.

1 Samuel 26:18 In-Context

16 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.

17 Sha'ul knew David's voice, and said, Is this your voice, my son David? David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

18 He said, Why does my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?

19 Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be the LORD that has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD: for they have driven me out this day that I shouldn't cling to the LORD's inheritance, saying, Go, serve other gods.

20 Now therefore, don't let my blood fall to the eretz away from the presence of the LORD: for the king of Yisra'el is come out to seek a flea, as when one does hunt a partridge in the mountains.