1 Samuel 26:23

23 The LORD render to each one his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD delivered thee into my hand today, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

1 Samuel 26:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:23

The Lord render to every man his righteousness, and his
faithfulness
Or recompense every man that deals justly and faithfully with others, as he had done with Saul; or the Lord, who is just and faithful to his promises, reward the men that act the good and upright part; and this was a prayer of faith; for David doubted not that, though Saul might fail, yet God could not;

for the Lord delivered thee into [my] hand this day;
or, "into an hand"

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 into the hand of Abishai, who had it in his power to slay him, when he went and took the spear that was at his bolster, and would have done it, but David suffered him not:

but I would not stretch forth my hand against the Lord's anointed;
nor suffer another to stretch forth his hand against him; so careful and tender was he of his life.

F24 (dyb) "in manum", Pagninus, Montanus.

1 Samuel 26:23 In-Context

21 Then Saul said, I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will do no more harm unto thee because my life was precious in thine eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly.

22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! Let one of the servants come over and take it.

23 The LORD render to each one his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD delivered thee into my hand today, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

24 And, behold, as thy life has been esteemed today in my eyes, so let my life be esteemed in the eyes of the LORD and let him deliver me out of all affliction.

25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed art thou, my son David; without a doubt thou shalt do great things and prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.