1 Samuel 26:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said, "Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands?

NIV: And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?

NASB: He also said, 'Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

CSB: Then he continued, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What crime have I committed?

NLT: Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime?

KJV: And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

NKJV: And he said, “Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?

First Samuel 26:17–20 closely emulates the events of 1 Samuel 24:8–15. Saul and his army are chasing David and his men. David manages to reach Saul unaware and defenseless. David takes something that proves David could have killed the king but didn't (1 Samuel 24:1–7; 26:1–12). Now, David is presenting his prize. Before, it was a corner of Saul's robe. Now, it is Saul's spear which had been next to the sleeping king. David proclaims his innocence. Saul will apologize, and the two will part peacefully (1 Samuel 24:16–22; 26:24–25). This time, David won't take any chances. He'll take his men and families where Saul can't go: the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 27).

History repeats itself. With information from locals, Saul and his army hunt David and his men, but David finds them first. He walks past the sleeping army and takes Saul's spear. From a safe distance, David calls down into the camp and holds up the evidence that he could have killed Saul. Saul confesses that he has sinned against David and promises to stop trying to kill him. David says his only confidence for deliverance is in the Lord. Saul leaves and David takes his men and families to the safety of Philistine territory.

Earlier, David passed up an opportunity to kill King Saul while he was unaware (1 Samuel 24). The same general event happens once again. The people of Ziph tell Saul where David is, and Saul comes running (1 Samuel 23:19–24). David finds Saul first and takes evidence that he could have killed the king but didn't. David confronts Saul, and Saul admits David is righteous and loyal (1 Samuel 24). This time, David is finished trusting Saul. He takes his people to Achish, the king of Gath. Apparently, the Philistine king respects David's honor more than David's own king (1 Samuel 27). Meanwhile, Saul slips further into disobedience to God (1 Samuel 28).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 10/4/2025 5:36:38 PM