1 Samuel 26:17

17 Saul recognized David's voice. He said, "My son David, is that your voice?" David replied, "Yes it is, King Saul, my master."

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 said, "You are a great soldier, aren't you? There isn't anyone else like you in Israel. So why didn't you guard the king? He's your master, isn't he? Someone came into the camp to destroy him.

16 You didn't guard him. And that isn't good. You can be sure that the LORD lives. And you can be just as sure that you and your men are worthy of death. That's because you didn't guard your master. He's the LORD's anointed king. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?"

17 Saul recognized David's voice. He said, "My son David, is that your voice?" David replied, "Yes it is, King Saul, my master."

18 He continued, "Why are you chasing me? What evil thing have I done? What am I guilty of?

19 "King Saul, please listen to what I'm saying. Was it the LORD who made you angry with me? If it was, may he accept my offering. Was it people who made you angry at me? If it was, may the LORD send down a curse on them. They have now driven me from my share of the LORD's land. By doing that, they might as well have said, 'Go and serve other gods.'