I Samuel 26:1-12 · Bible study
1 Samuel 26:1-12 Commentary: David Spares Saul Again
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Exegetical study of David's second opportunity to kill Saul, his refusal, and the deep sleep from the LORD.
Research Summary
- Meaning: David spares Saul a second time, trusting God to deal with His anointed in His own way and timing.
- Key words: mashiach (anointed), tardemah (deep sleep), chanit (spear), ma'gal (wagon rampart).
- Main debate: Whether this account is a duplicate of 1 Samuel 24 or a separate historical event (Barnes argues same; Keil and Delitzsch argue distinct).
- Theological theme: Patient trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into one's own hands.
- Best use: Teaching on forgiveness, respect for authority, and waiting on God's timing in difficult relationships.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
2So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.
3Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, but David was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there,
4David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.
5Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him.
6And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai.
7That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.
8Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!”
9But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
10David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
11But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”
12So David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head, and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?”
2Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.
5Then David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.
6Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”
7So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him.
8Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”
9David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?”
10David said, “As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will strike him; or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.
11Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let’s go.”
12So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul’s head, and they went away. No man saw it, or knew it, nor did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them.
KJV King James Version 1769
1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
5And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
6Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?
10David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert?
2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
5And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped round about him.
6Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.
8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time.
9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah’s anointed, and be guiltless?
10And David said, As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.
11Jehovah forbid that I should put forth my hand against Jehovah’s anointed: but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s head; and they gat them away: and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Jehovah was fallen upon them.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And the Ziphites come in unto Saul, at Gibeah, saying, `Is not David hiding himself in the height of Hachilah, on the front of the desert?'
2And Saul riseth, and goeth down unto the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand men, chosen ones of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul encampeth in the height of Hachilah, which is on the front of the desert, by the way, and David is abiding in the wilderness, and he seeth that Saul hath come after him in to the wilderness;
4and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,
5and David riseth, and cometh in unto the place where Saul hath encamped, and David seeth the place where Saul hath lain, and Abner son of Ner, head of his host, and Saul is lying in the path, and the people are encamping round about him.
6And David answereth and saith unto Ahimelech the Hittite, and unto Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, `Who doth go down with me unto Saul, unto the camp?' and Abishai saith, `I--I go down with thee.'
7And David cometh--and Abishai--unto the people by night, and lo, Saul is lying sleeping in the path, and his spear struck into the earth at his pillow, and abner and the people are lying round about him.
8And Abishai saith unto David, `God hath shut up to-day thine enemy into thy hand; and, now, let me smite him, I pray thee, with a spear, even into the earth at once--and I do repeat it to him.'
9And David saith unto Abishai, `Destroy him not; for who hath put forth his hand against the anointed of Jehovah, and been acquitted?'
10And David saith, `Jehovah liveth; except Jehovah doth smite him, or his day come that he hath died, or into battle he go down, and hath been consumed--
11far be it from me, by Jehovah, from putting forth my hand against the anointed of Jehovah; and, now, take, I pray thee, the spear which is at his pillow, and the cruse of water, and we go away.'
12And David taketh the spear, and the cruse of water at the pillow of Saul, and they go away, and there is none seeing, and there is none knowing, and there is none awaking, for all of them are sleeping, for a deep sleep from Jehovah hath fallen upon them.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, facing the waste?
2And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which faces the waste, by the way side. And David abode in the wilderness; and when he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness,
4David sent out spies, and learned that Saul was certainly come.
5And David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host; and Saul lay within the wagon-defence, and the people were encamped round about him.
6And David spake and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
7And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the wagon-defence, and his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.
8And Abishai said to David, God has delivered thine enemy into thy hand this day; and now let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear, even to the ground once, and I will not do it the second time.
9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against Jehovah's anointed, and be guiltless?
10And David said, [As] Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will surely smite him; either his day shall come to die, or he shall descend into battle and perish.
11Jehovah forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against Jehovah's anointed! But now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12And David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head; and they went away, and no man saw [it], and none knew [it], and none awaked, for they were all asleep; for a deep sleep from Jehovah had fallen upon them.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1And the men of Ziph came to Saul in Gabaa, saying: Behold David is hid in the hill of Hachila, which is over against the wilderness.
2And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph having with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul encamped in Gabaa Hachila, which was over against the wilderness in the way: and David abode in the wilderness. And seeing that Saul was come after him into the wilderness,
4He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither.
5And David arose secretly, and came to the place where Saul was: and when he had beheld the place, wherein Saul slept, and Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army, and Saul sleeping in a tent, and the rest of the multitude round about him,
6David spoke to Achimelech, the Hethite, and Abisai, the son of Sarvia, the brother of Joab, saying: Who will go down with me to Saul into the camp? And Abisai said: I will go with thee.
7So David and Abisai came to the people by night, and found Saul lying and sleeping in the tent, and his spear fixed in the ground at his head: and Abner and the people sleeping round about him.
8And Abisai said to David: God hath shut up thy enemy this day into thy hands: now then I will run him through with my spear, even to the earth at once, and there shall be no need of a second time.
9And David said to Abisai: Kill him not: for who shall put forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and shall be guiltless?
10And David said: As the Lord liveth, unless the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down to battle, and perish:
11The Lord be merciful unto me, and keep me that I never put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed. But now take the spear which is at his head, and the cup of water, and let us go.
12So David took the spear, and the cup of water which was at Saul's head, and they went away: and no man saw it, or knew it, or awaked, but they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 26:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree on the main thrust of this passage: David refuses to harm Saul because Saul is "Yahweh's anointed" (v.9). David's trust that Yahweh Himself will strike Saul (v.10) shows a deep reliance on divine justice rather than personal vengeance. The "deep sleep" (tardemah, v.12) is recognized as a supernatural act of God, a term used elsewhere for divinely induced slumber (Genesis 2:21; 15:12).
Where scholars differ is whether this is a separate event from the cave encounter in 1 Samuel 24. Barnes argues the strong similarities suggest a single tradition being retold. Keil and Delitzsch contend the different details, Saul's camp being surrounded by troops, the taking of the spear and water jug, the absence of any reconciliation, point to a distinct historical occasion. The disagreement remains unresolved among commentators, but both sides affirm the core lesson: David's reverence for God's anointed.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Duplicate event (Barnes): The strong resemblance between chapter 24 and 26 suggests the same incident is recounted with different details. The Ziphites' involvement and the outcome of sparing Saul are parallel.
- Separate historical occurrence (Keil & Delitzsch): The differences in camping arrangement, the presence of Abishai instead of David's men, the taking of the spear and water jug, and the absence of a reconciliation speech indicate two distinct events.
What is clear: David spared Saul's life and took his spear and water jug as evidence, demonstrating reverence for the LORD's anointed and trust in divine justice.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate versus separate event | Both passages describe David sparing Saul's life when he had a clear opportunity to kill him. | Barnes and some scholars see this as a variant account of the same event (1 Samuel 24). Keil and Delitzsch argue the differences in details and outcome indicate two separate occasions. The question remains unresolved. |
| David's motive for sparing Saul | David explicitly refrains because Saul is 'Yahweh's anointed,' and he will not incur guilt by harming him. | Some emphasize that David also may have considered the political danger of regicide; others see purely theological reverence. The text emphasizes the theological reason. |
| The deep sleep from the LORD | The sleep is described as a divine act (<em>tardemah</em> from Yahweh), allowing David and Abishai to approach undetected. | Interpreters agree it is supernatural, but some focus on its protective function (God shielding David), while others see it as judgment on Saul's complacency. Both coexist in the narrative. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The Ziphites of southern Judah appear twice in David's story as informants against him (1 Samuel 23:19; 26:1). Their territory lay in the rugged hill country east of Hebron, near the wilderness of Maon. Saul responds with a force of three thousand chosen men, the same number he used previously (1 Samuel 13:2; 24:2). This suggests a standing army that Saul could mobilize quickly.
David's risk is considerable. Saul's camp is arranged in a defensive circle, with a wagon rampart (ma'gal) forming an inner perimeter. The king sleeps at the center, his spear thrust into the ground at his head, a symbol of authority and a marker of his position (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown describe the same practice among nomadic Arab sheiks). Abner, the commander, and the troops lie around him in concentric rings. Penetrating this formation undetected would be nearly impossible without the deep sleep sent by God (v.12).
David's companion Abishai is his nephew, son of David's sister Zeruiah (Clarke). Ahimelech the Hittite is mentioned only here; Hittites, like Uriah later, served as mercenaries or allies in David's band. David's choice to take only one companion shows both courage and a desire for stealth.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and translations note no significant textual variants for this passage. The key terms are consistent across the Masoretic Text and the ancient versions. The main interpretive issue is historical, not text-critical.
Reception History
This passage has been used throughout church history to illustrate the Christian attitude toward enemies and legitimate authority. Early church fathers like Augustine cited David's restraint as a model for forbearance under persecution. Medieval exegetes saw in David a type of Christ, who refrained from using power to destroy His enemies. During the Reformation, the story was referenced in debates about resistance to unjust rulers: David's refusal to harm Saul was taken as a precedent for patient suffering rather than rebellion. In modern preaching, the passage is often used to teach trust in God's timing and the danger of mistaking opportunity for God's will.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The second test. David once again has Saul completely vulnerable. The Ziphites' betrayal places David in the same position as the cave at En-gedi (1 Samuel 24). This repetition shows that God tests our character on the same issues until we pass.
- The temptation to act. Abishai reads the situation as divine providence: "God has delivered your enemy into your hand" (v.8). His offer to kill Saul with one stroke seems reasonable, even pious. Every Christian faces moments when expedience is dressed up as faith.
- The decision to trust. David refuses; he names three ways God might deal with Saul (v.10), sudden judgment, natural death, or battle, and leaves the outcome to Him. Taking the spear and water jug proves his point without bloodshed.
Five-point outline
- Setting the scene: betrayal and pursuit (vv.1-3)
- David's reconnaissance: knowing the enemy's position (vv.4-5)
- The night approach: courage and faith in action (vv.6-7)
- The offer rejected: Abishai's proposal versus David's reverence (vv.8-11)
- The evidence of mercy: the spear and water jug as testimony (v.12)
Illustration hooks
- A manager discovers a colleague has made a serious error that could cost them their job. They have evidence that could be used to destroy the colleague. The manager chooses to speak privately with the colleague rather than report it upward immediately, giving them a chance to correct it.
- Someone is wronged in a church conflict. They could expose the other person's fault publicly and "win." Instead they wait, pray, and trust God to handle the situation in His timing.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If God was with David, why did he keep running from Saul instead of confronting him?
- Does this story mean I should never defend myself against someone who is hurting me?
- When is it right to take action against an unjust authority, and when should I wait on God?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows David placed in the same dilemma twice. The question is not just about Saul, but about what we do when we have power over someone who has wronged us. David's choice to spare Saul reveals a heart shaped by trust in God's sovereignty.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the way Saul pursues David with three thousand men while David has only a small band? (vv.1-3)
- Why do you think David takes the risk of going into Saul's camp? What does that tell you about his character? (vv.5-7)
- Abishai says God has delivered David's enemy into his hand. How could a faithful person mistake God's will in this way? (v.8)
- David's refusal is grounded in Saul's identity as "Yahweh's anointed." What does that phrase mean, and how should it shape our view of leaders today?
- In verse 10, David lists three ways God might remove Saul. What does this tell you about David's understanding of God's sovereignty and human action?
- The deep sleep from the LORD (v.12) is a supernatural detail. Why do you think the narrator includes this? What does it reveal about God's involvement?
- How does this story challenge the way you handle conflict with someone who holds power over you?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Joshua 15:24 | Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, |
| Joshua 15:55 | Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Jutah, |
| I Samuel 23:19 | Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? |
| Psalms 54:1 | For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David, when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “Isn’t David hiding himself among us?” Save me, God, by your name. Vindicate me in your might. |
| Psalms 54:7 | For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies. |
| I Samuel 13:2 | Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the people to their own tents. |
| I Samuel 23:23 | See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself; and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.” |
| I Samuel 23:25 | Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told, he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard that, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights David's refusal to take Saul's life, even when Abishai calls it a divine gift. David would not seize what only God could give—death by judgment, natural causes, or battle. He trusted God's timing, not his own hand.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that the incident between Saul and David in this chapter is almost certainly the same event recorded in 1 Samuel 24, not a separate occurrence. He explains that apparent discrepancies come from each account focusing on different details. He also notes that Ahimelech the Hittite appears only here.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible emphasizes that David refuses to harm Saul because the anointed king is inviolable and his life rests entirely in God's hands. David acknowledges three possible ways Saul's life could end — sudden divine stroke, natural death, or death in battle — but insists that violent human action against God's anointed is forbidden.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that the deep sleep which made Saul and his entire army insensible was a direct act of God, not a natural accident. This divine intervention gave David a second clear opportunity to spare the king's life, reinforcing his conviction that no one may harm the Lord's anointed without guilt.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Jamieson notes that David's restraint here contrasts sharply with his earlier readiness to destroy Nabal. While Saul deserved judgment, David refused to take matters into his own hands, instead leaving vengeance to God and even showing kindness that would heap coals of fire on Saul's head.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argues that this chapter is not a duplicate of the earlier sparing of Saul but a separate, later event. They point to significant differences: the location, how David approached, and especially Saul's response. The first time he wept and acknowledged David would be king; here he only admits sin without tears, showing his hardened heart.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues this chapter records a second, distinct event, not a duplicate of chapter 24. Saul's renewed persecution is psychologically believable because his hatred was deeply rooted, only temporarily suppressed by David's magnanimity, and soon returned with greater force as his heart hardened further.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws attention to the Ziphites' malicious eagerness: they freely offered information to Saul, stirring up a conflict that might have otherwise cooled. He sees in this a warning about how easily external temptation can ignite the corruption already present in human hearts.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the Ziphites' wicked