1 Samuel 26:18

18 He also said, "1Why then is my lord pursuing 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 that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, all of you must surely die, because you did not guard your lord , the LORD'S anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was at his head."
17 Then Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David said, "It is my voice, my lord the king."
18 He also said, "Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?
19 "Now therefore, please let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it is men , cursed are they before the LORD , for they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the LORD , saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'
20 "Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD ; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Sam 24:9, 11-14
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.