1 Samuel Chapter 26
David Spares Saul’s Life Again
A. David’s Second Opportunity to Kill Saul (1 Samuel 26:1–4)
1 Samuel 26:1–4 (KJV)
“And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? Then 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. And 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. David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.”
The Ziphites once again betrayed David’s position to Saul, proving that their loyalty rested with the king rather than righteousness. These same people had already informed Saul of David’s hiding place earlier in 1 Samuel 23:19–23, and now they repeated the act, hoping to gain favor with Saul. Their behavior demonstrates how opportunistic and self-serving men can become when they seek advancement through flattery and betrayal rather than through integrity. The hill of Hachilah, overlooking the desolate area of Jeshimon, became the stage for Saul’s renewed pursuit of David, showing that Saul’s momentary repentance in the previous chapter had already faded.
Saul gathered three thousand chosen men of Israel, a significant force compared to David’s six hundred men. This reminds us that worldly power often marshals overwhelming strength against the godly few. Saul’s decision to pursue David again revealed that his earlier confession and tears in 1 Samuel 24:16–21 were merely emotional and lacked true spiritual repentance. He had momentarily acknowledged David’s righteousness and his own sin, yet his heart remained unchanged. True repentance is not measured by emotion, but by transformation and obedience.
David, on the other hand, displayed the wisdom of a seasoned leader. He did not let his guard down because of Saul’s previous words. Instead, David therefore sent out spies, demonstrating both vigilance and prudence. While David trusted the Lord, he also took necessary precautions. Faith does not excuse foolishness. David’s careful reconnaissance ensured that he knew Saul’s movements while Saul remained unaware of David’s. This reveals David’s balance of faith and discernment, a pattern seen throughout his wilderness years.
Spiritually, this passage illustrates the persistence of worldly opposition to God’s anointed. Even when enemies appear to relent, the flesh and the forces of evil often regroup and return. Saul’s pursuit of David foreshadows the relentless nature of sin when not fully surrendered to God. Despite moments of remorse, a heart not truly yielded will inevitably return to rebellion.
David Spares Saul’s Life Again
B. David’s Second Opportunity to Kill Saul (1 Samuel 26:5–8)
1 Samuel 26:5–8 (KJV)
“And 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. Then 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. So 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. Then 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.”
David’s second opportunity to kill Saul came in remarkable circumstances. After confirming Saul’s location through spies, David personally went to observe the enemy’s camp. The Scripture says, “Saul lay within the camp,” or as the King James reads, “within the trench.” The term “trench” in the Hebrew refers not to a dug-out ditch but to the circular perimeter formed by the army’s wagons and supplies that surrounded the resting troops. Saul was asleep in the center, encircled by his soldiers, with Abner, the captain of his host, at his side. The king’s spear—his emblem of authority and his frequent weapon of rage—was stuck in the ground by his head. This setting powerfully symbolizes Saul’s obsession with control and violence, even as he lay unconscious.
David, along with his nephew Abishai, the son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab, decided to infiltrate the camp under the cover of night. David’s decision to go personally, rather than sending one of his men, revealed both courage and divine guidance. From a human standpoint, this was reckless; from a spiritual one, it demonstrated faith guided by providence. God often tests His servants in situations where their character and discernment are tried, and here David’s integrity would again be tested against the temptation of vengeance.
Abishai, known later as a fierce warrior and loyal commander under David, interpreted the situation as an act of divine deliverance: “God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day.” To Abishai, this appeared to be the clear will of God. The king who had persecuted David unjustly was lying defenseless before him. Abishai even proposed poetic justice: to strike Saul through with his own spear—the same weapon Saul had previously hurled at David in 1 Samuel 18:10–11 and 1 Samuel 19:9–10. He assured David that it would take only one stroke and that justice would be swift and final.
It would have been easy for David to rationalize this act as obedience to divine opportunity. Many men interpret providence according to their desires rather than God’s revealed will. But this moment was a test—not a command from God to kill Saul, but an examination of David’s restraint, humility, and submission to divine authority.
David’s willingness to enter the enemy’s camp showed both boldness and mastery over fear. Saul’s army numbered in the thousands, yet David and Abishai slipped through undetected, a testimony to God’s sovereign protection. The Lord was in control of every circumstance. What looked like an opportunity for revenge was truly an opportunity for righteousness.
David Spares Saul’s Life Again
C. David’s Response to the Opportunity to Kill Saul (1 Samuel 26:9–12)
1 Samuel 26:9–12 (KJV)
“And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? David 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. The 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. So 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.”
David’s reply to Abishai reveals a heart firmly anchored in reverence for God’s authority. When Abishai urged him to strike Saul through with the spear, David answered, “Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” This statement captures the essence of David’s submission to divine order. Though Saul was acting wickedly and had forfeited much of his moral right to rule, the anointing still rested upon him until God Himself removed it. David understood that authority comes from God, not from men, and to attack Saul was to interfere with God’s timing and sovereignty.
David’s refusal was not rooted in blindness to Saul’s sin but in fear of the Lord. David recognized that Saul’s position as king was not something human hands could revoke. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel had anointed Saul by God’s command, and therefore it was God’s prerogative alone to remove him. Even though Saul had repeatedly broken his word and pursued David unjustly, David chose submission over vengeance. Many in his place would have rationalized the act as self-defense or divine justice, but David feared God more than he feared Saul.
David then affirmed his faith in God’s righteous justice: “As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.” David knew that God did not need his help to execute judgment. The Lord could strike Saul down directly, or He could allow him to die by natural means or fall in battle. Either way, the matter belonged to God alone. This trust in divine timing exemplifies true submission. As Romans 12:19 declares, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” David’s words echo this very principle. He resisted the temptation to seize control of his destiny, entrusting it instead to the Lord who appointed him.
Rather than kill Saul, David instructed Abishai, “Take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.” The spear, Saul’s symbol of authority and aggression, and the water jug, representing life and sustenance, served as tangible proof of David’s mercy. In taking these items, David demonstrated that he had both the opportunity and the ability to end Saul’s life but chose restraint and righteousness. These items would later testify before Saul and his men that David’s hands were clean of bloodshed.
The text concludes with a remarkable statement: “For they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.” God Himself intervened, rendering Saul’s army unconscious so that David could move freely in their midst. This miraculous sleep underscores the Lord’s sovereign control over the entire encounter. God orchestrated the event not to deliver Saul into David’s hands for death, but to test David’s heart and prove his integrity. It also displayed divine protection—David was untouchable because he was walking in obedience to God’s will.
This scene portrays a powerful moral and theological truth: the difference between opportunity and permission. Just because God allows something does not mean He authorizes it. David discerned the difference and chose the path of faith and restraint. His actions stand as a timeless model of submission to God’s sovereignty, patience in persecution, and trust in divine justice.
David Spares Saul’s Life Again
D. David Confronts Saul Again with the Evidence of His Mercy (1 Samuel 26:13–20)
1 Samuel 26:13–16 (KJV)
“Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.”
After escaping Saul’s camp, David crossed to a safe distance, standing on the top of a hill where his voice could carry across the valley. He called out, not first to Saul, but to Abner, the commander of Saul’s army and his chief bodyguard. “Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel?” David’s words were sharp and deliberate, confronting Abner’s failure to protect his king. The irony is striking: David, the hunted man, had shown greater concern for Saul’s safety than Saul’s own captain.
David charged Abner with negligence, declaring, “For there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done.” In mocking rebuke, David even pronounced judgment: “As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die.” His accusation was not out of malice but to expose the Lord’s protection over Saul and David’s innocence. Abner, who should have been Saul’s shield, had failed his duty, while David, the fugitive, had been Saul’s unwitting protector.
Finally, David held up the unmistakable evidence of his mercy: “See where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.” The spear symbolized Saul’s authority and violence, and the water jug symbolized his life and sustenance. By holding them, David demonstrated that he had been close enough to kill Saul, yet chose mercy instead. This mirrored the earlier event in 1 Samuel 24:11, when David displayed the piece of Saul’s robe as proof that he had spared his life. Once again, David used physical evidence to appeal to Saul’s conscience, not to humiliate him, but to convict him of sin and awaken repentance.
1 Samuel 26:17–20 (KJV)
“And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
Upon hearing David’s voice, Saul immediately recognized it and responded tenderly, “Is this thy voice, my son David?” The phrase echoes their earlier encounter in 1 Samuel 24:16, showing that Saul’s heart was once again softened by David’s mercy. David answered with humility, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” Despite being wronged repeatedly, David never ceased to show respect for Saul’s God-given position. His consistent reverence reveals a spirit of grace and submission even toward an unjust ruler.
David then reasoned with Saul, asking, “Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?” He appealed to logic and conscience, urging Saul to consider his actions honestly. There was no evidence of rebellion or treason—only Saul’s jealousy and paranoia. David’s question was not defensive, but convicting. It challenged Saul to face the irrationality of his persecution.
David then offered two possible explanations for Saul’s hostility: “If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord.” Though David knew full well that Saul’s hatred was self-generated, he graciously framed his response in a way that allowed Saul a way to repent without shame. If this enmity were somehow God’s discipline, David was willing to offer sacrifice and reconciliation; but if it came from malicious advisers or other men, then David pronounced a curse upon them, for they had “driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord.”
This last phrase reveals David’s deep spiritual grief. Saul’s persecution had effectively exiled him from Israel’s community and the tabernacle worship he loved. To be cut off from the Lord’s house felt like being told, “Go, serve other gods.” Though David never abandoned his faith, he felt the sting of isolation from public worship and godly fellowship. The greatest pain of his exile was not physical hardship but spiritual distance from the sanctuary of God.
David concluded with a heartfelt plea: “Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.” He humbly compared himself to a small, harmless creature—insignificant and unworthy of such pursuit. The image of a partridge being hunted relentlessly by exhaustion captures the futility and cruelty of Saul’s campaign. As Clarke noted, Arab hunters would chase partridges until they grew so weary they could be struck down easily. So Saul pursued David without reason, wearing down an innocent man who sought only peace.
David’s words carried both dignity and deep pathos. He neither begged for his life nor cursed his oppressor, but left judgment in the hands of God. His restraint, humility, and godliness shine as a model for all believers suffering under unjust authority.
David Spares Saul’s Life Again
E. Saul’s Final Apology and David’s Closing Response (1 Samuel 26:21–25)
1 Samuel 26:21 (KJV)
“Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.”
After David’s gracious appeal, Saul once again appeared to repent, confessing, “I have sinned.” These words sound right, yet there is a hollow ring to them. The first time Saul uttered similar words in 1 Samuel 24:16–21, his emotions overflowed—he wept, expressed shame, and even proclaimed David’s future kingship. But this second confession lacks warmth or conviction. His speech sounds rehearsed rather than heartfelt. His heart had grown cold through repeated disobedience and hardened pride. What may have once been genuine sorrow had now decayed into mechanical formality.
Saul acknowledged, “I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” This was perhaps the most accurate summary of his life. His folly was not in a single misstep but in a pattern of rebellion against God’s authority. He had chosen jealousy over obedience, pride over repentance, and worldly ambition over spiritual humility. Though his words were true, his heart remained unchanged. Like the “sorrow of the world” described in 2 Corinthians 7:10, his regret was driven by humiliation and loss, not by repentance toward God. As Meyer observes, Saul’s confession belongs to that worldly sorrow that brings death, while David’s cry of repentance in Psalm 51 exemplifies godly sorrow that brings restoration.
G. Campbell Morgan observed rightly, “In these words we have a perfect autobiography.” Saul’s entire life could be summed up in this tragic admission—he had played the fool. He had once been chosen by God, empowered by His Spirit, and surrounded by favor. Yet through envy, fear, and disobedience, he squandered every blessing. His reign, begun in humility, ended in disgrace.
1 Samuel 26:22–25 (KJV)
“And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.”
David responded with calm dignity and unwavering faith. Holding up the symbol of Saul’s authority, he declared, “Behold the king’s spear!” He invited one of Saul’s men to retrieve it, thereby demonstrating that he held no desire for vengeance or rebellion. His actions were transparent, his conscience clean, and his heart steadfast before the Lord.
David then spoke a principle rooted in divine justice: “The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness.” David believed that God would reward righteousness and truth, even if men misunderstood or persecuted him. His words anticipated the truth later expressed in Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name.” David’s mercy toward Saul flowed from this understanding. He lived by the principle Jesus would later teach in Matthew 7:2, “For with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Knowing that he needed God’s mercy, David extended mercy to Saul, leaving vengeance in the Lord’s hands.
David continued, “As thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.” His plea revealed the depth of his trust. David knew that his protection and future kingship depended not on his sword but on God’s favor. He refused to seize the throne through violence, believing that the God who anointed him would also establish him in His time. Later, when David became king, he reflected on this truth in Psalm 18:20–24, declaring, “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.”
In return, Saul pronounced a final blessing: “Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail.” The words sound prophetic, yet they were spoken by a man who knew his own downfall was inevitable. Saul recognized David’s divine calling but was powerless to resist his own ruin. His blessing was a concession, not a true reconciliation. Scripture records that David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place—a quiet but significant conclusion. The two would never meet again.
David’s refusal to return with Saul showed his discernment. He had heard Saul’s promises before and knew they were unreliable. As Matthew Poole noted, “Knowing Saul’s unstable and deceitful heart, he would not trust to any of his professions or promises.” David chose distance over sentiment, wisdom over emotion. His decision preserved his safety and integrity, for he would not place himself under Saul’s unstable favor again.
As scholar Youngblood notes, “Since now there is nothing more to be said, David and Saul part, never to see each other again.” Saul’s reign continued in decline until his death on Mount Gilboa, while David’s path, marked by faith, restraint, and divine favor, led him inexorably toward the throne God had promised.
