1 Samuel 26:6-9

6 David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai.

7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.

8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”

9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?

1 Samuel 26:6-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 26

This chapter relates that Saul, upon the information of the Ziphites, went out again with an armed force to seek David, 1Sa 26:1-3; of which David having intelligence, and of the place where he pitched, came with one of his men and reconnoitred his camp, and finding Saul and his men asleep, took away his spear, and the cruse of water at his head, and departed, without taking away his life, though solicited to it by his servant, 1Sa 26:4-12; which spear and cruse of water he produced to the reproach of Abner, Saul's general, and as a testimony of his sincere regard to Saul, and that he had no design upon his life, 1Sa 26:13-20; of which Saul being convinced, blessed David, and returned home again, 1Sa 26:21-25.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 10:15
• 2. 2 Samuel 2:18; 2 Samuel 10:10; 2 Samuel 16:9; 2 Samuel 18:2; 2 Samuel 19:21; 2 Samuel 23:18; 1 Chronicles 11:20; 1 Chronicles 19:11
• 3. Judges 7:10-11; 1 Chronicles 2:16
• 4. ver 16; S Genesis 26:11; S 1 Samuel 9:16; 2 Samuel 1:14; 2 Samuel 19:21; Lamentations 4:20
• 5. S 1 Samuel 24:5