But David said to AbishaiDavid, the future king of Israel, is speaking to Abishai, one of his loyal warriors and the brother of Joab. This interaction occurs during a period when David is fleeing from King Saul, who is seeking to kill him. Abishai is part of David's inner circle, demonstrating the trust and loyalty within David's camp. This moment highlights David's leadership and his ability to influence those around him, even in matters of life and death.
Do not destroy him
David instructs Abishai not to kill Saul, despite having the opportunity to do so. This reflects David's respect for God's authority and his understanding of divine timing. David's decision is rooted in his faith and his belief that vengeance belongs to God, not man. This restraint is a testament to David's character and his commitment to righteousness, even when it would be easier to act otherwise.
for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed
Saul, despite his pursuit of David, is still the anointed king of Israel. The term "anointed" refers to someone chosen by God for a specific purpose, often marked by a ceremonial anointing with oil. David recognizes Saul's position as God's chosen leader, which is why he refrains from harming him. This respect for God's anointed is a recurring theme in David's life and is a principle that underscores the sanctity of God's appointments.
and be guiltless?
David acknowledges that taking action against Saul would result in guilt before God. This reflects the biblical principle that one must not take justice into their own hands, especially against those whom God has placed in authority. David's rhetorical question implies that any attempt to harm Saul would be a sin, showing his deep reverence for God's law and order. This moment foreshadows the New Testament teaching of leaving judgment to God, as seen inRomans 12:19.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by God, who is being pursued by King Saul. David is known for his heart after God and his respect for God's authority.
2.
AbishaiDavid's nephew and a warrior, who offers to kill Saul when they find him vulnerable. He represents the human inclination to take matters into one's own hands.
3.
SaulThe current king of Israel, anointed by God, who is seeking to kill David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.
4.
The Wilderness of ZiphThe location where this event takes place, symbolizing a place of testing and decision-making for David.
5.
The LORD’s AnointedA term referring to Saul, indicating that he was chosen by God to be king, despite his current disobedience and pursuit of David.
Teaching Points
Respect for God’s AuthorityDavid’s refusal to harm Saul highlights the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in authority, even when they are flawed.
Trust in God’s TimingDavid’s decision to wait on God’s timing rather than taking matters into his own hands teaches us to trust in God’s plan and timing for our lives.
The Power of RestraintExercising restraint and self-control, as David did, is a powerful testimony of faith and reliance on God’s justice.
The Role of ConscienceDavid’s conscience guided him to make a righteous decision, reminding us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives.
The Danger of Impulsive ActionsAbishai’s willingness to kill Saul reflects the danger of acting impulsively without considering God’s will and the consequences.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 26:9?
2.How does 1 Samuel 26:9 demonstrate David's respect for God's anointed authority?
3.What can we learn about resisting temptation from David's actions in this passage?
4.How does Romans 12:19 relate to David's decision in 1 Samuel 26:9?
5.In what ways can we apply David's restraint to conflicts in our lives?
6.How does David's response reflect trust in God's justice and timing?
7.Why did David refuse to kill Saul in 1 Samuel 26:9 despite having the opportunity?
8.How does 1 Samuel 26:9 illustrate the concept of respecting God's anointed?
9.What does 1 Samuel 26:9 teach about vengeance and justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26?
11.What does "Touch Not My Anointed" mean?
12.2 Samuel 4:8–11 – How can David both punish the men for killing Ishbosheth and still claim God’s hand in his rise to power without contradiction?
13.2 Samuel 4:5–7 – If God intended David to become king, why would these assassins be condemned for eliminating Ishbosheth, who was hindering David’s rule?
14.2 Samuel 1:13–16: Why would David execute the Amalekite based solely on his own confession with no corroborating witnesses?What Does 1 Samuel 26:9 Mean
But David said- David’s immediate response reveals the posture of his heart. He chooses restraint and godly wisdom instead of impulse.
- Earlier he had reacted the same way in the cave at En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:6: “Far be it from me… to lift my hand against him, for he is the LORD’s anointed”).
- LikePsalm 141:3, David lives out the prayer, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth.” His words steer both men away from sin.
to Abishai- Abishai is David’s nephew and a fierce warrior (2 Samuel 23:18).
- David disciples Abishai in real time: leadership means modeling righteousness, not merely issuing commands.
- Compare2 Timothy 2:2—truth is to be handed down person-to-person.
Do not destroy him- Saul is lying defenseless before them, yet David forbids violence.
-1 Samuel 24:10—David had already spared Saul once; consistency proves sincerity.
-Romans 12:19 reminds believers, “Do not take revenge… ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
- Bullet takeaways:
• Self-control is an act of faith in God’s justice.
• Immediate opportunity never overrules divine principle.
for who can extend a hand- “Extend a hand” signals deliberate action. It is premeditated, not accidental.
-2 Samuel 1:14–16 shows David judging the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul; the standard is consistent.
- The question format prods Abishai to think before acting—wise counsel often comes as a question (Proverbs 20:5).
against the LORD’s anointed- Saul was anointed by Samuel with oil (1 Samuel 10:1), marking him as God’s chosen king.
- Touching God’s anointed was expressly warned against (Psalm 105:15;1 Chronicles 16:22).
- Respect for God’s appointments demonstrates respect for God Himself (Romans 13:1–2).
- Even when leaders fail, their office is to be honored until God removes them.
and be guiltless?- David drives home the sobering reality: sin carries guilt; no loopholes exist.
-Proverbs 6:16–19 lists “hands that shed innocent blood” among things the Lord hates.
-1 Peter 2:13–17 calls believers to honor authority “for the Lord’s sake.”
- Bullet takeaways:
• Right ends never justify unrighteous means.
• Fear of the Lord outweighs fear of man or desire for personal relief.
summaryDavid’s reply forms a chain of godly reasoning: personal restraint, respect for God’s established authority, and recognition of inevitable guilt if that authority is violated. He teaches that waiting on the Lord’s timing protects the heart from both sin and regret, illustrating that true faith submits to God’s order even when opportunity and emotion urge otherwise.
(9)
Against the Lord's anointed.--David--taught, no doubt, by the prophet Samuel--looked upon the person of Saul as made sacred and inviolable by the royal anointing. Through the anointing Saul had become the possession of Jehovah; only Jehovah, then, could lawfully take away that sacred life. This he elaborates in the next verse. It is possible that these exalted sentiments respecting the Divine rights of kings were not uttered by David while standing in the dark night among Saul's soldiers by the sleeping king, but subsequently, when he and Abishai were talking the incident over together.
Verses 9-11. - David forbids the deed as before (
1 Samuel 24:6), because of Saul's office. As we there saw, this was an ingrained principle in David's mind on which he constantly acted. Present with equal strength in Saul's mind, it was the cause of moral ruin to the one, and of a noble forbearance and self-control to the other. David therefore leaves him in Jehovah's hand, saying,
As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah shall smite him; or his day, etc. Literally, "As Jehovah liveth (I will not smite him), but Jehovah shall smite him; either his day shall come and he shall die; or he shall go down into battle and perish." Whenever he falls, it shall be Jehovah's doing, whether he die a natural death, or a violent one in battle. "The smiting of Jehovah" does not imply a sudden death. God smites men with disease (
2 Kings 15:5) and other troubles. What David means is that he will leave the matter entirely to God, but that if Saul's death is to be a violent one, he must fall honourably, not by the hand of a subject, but in battle with Israel's enemies.
Jehovah forbid. The same phrase as in
1 Samuel 24:6.
Cruse of water.i.e. water bottle, as in
1 Kings 19:6.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
But Davidדָּוִ֛ד(dā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jessesaidוַיֹּ֧אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toAbishai,אֲבִישַׁ֖י(’ă·ḇî·šay)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 52:Abishai -- 'my father is Jesse', an Israelite name“Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notdestroy him,תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ(taš·ḥî·ṯê·hū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruinforכִּ֠י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionwhoמִ֣י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixcan liftשָׁלַ֥ח(šā·laḥ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outa handיָד֛וֹ(yā·ḏōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A handagainst the LORD’sיְהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelanointedבִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ(bim·šî·aḥ)Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4899:Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiahand be guiltless?”וְנִקָּֽה׃(wə·niq·qāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5352:To be, clean, to be bare, extirpated
Links
1 Samuel 26:9 NIV1 Samuel 26:9 NLT1 Samuel 26:9 ESV1 Samuel 26:9 NASB1 Samuel 26:9 KJV
1 Samuel 26:9 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 26:9 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 26:9 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 26:9 French Bible1 Samuel 26:9 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 26:9 David said to Abishai Don't destroy him (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
