Bible Chapter Summary
1 Samuel 26 Summary
David Again Spares Sleeping Saul
The Ziphites betray David's location to Saul. David and Abishai steal into Saul's camp at night and take his spear and water cruse while all sleep in a deep sleep from the LORD. From a distant hill, David calls to Abner, reproaches his negligence, and shows the spear as proof. Saul acknowledges his sin and blesses David, then returns to his place.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Samuel 26:7
“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.”
1 Samuel 26:9
“And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?”
1 Samuel 26:11-12
“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.”
1 Samuel 26:21
“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.”
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