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1 Samuel 26:18

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 26:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?
1 Samuel 26:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a [valiant] man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, Jehovah`s anointed. And now see where the king`s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
17And 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.
18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?
19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah: for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Jehovah: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
← 1 Samuel 26:171 Samuel 26:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? etc.] Suggesting that it was both below him to do it, and against his interest; for David was his servant, and he would gladly have continued in his service, and done his business, but he drove him from it, and pursued him as a traitor, when he had not been guilty of any offence to his knowledge: and therefore puts the following questions: for what have I done? or what evil [is] in mine hand? what crime had he committed, that he was pursued after this manner, and his life sought for? what had he done worthy of death? having a clear conscience, he could boldly ask these questions.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Wherefore: Sa1 24:9, Sa1 24:11-14; Psa 7:3-5, Psa 35:7, Psa 69:4 what have I: Sa1 17:29; Joh 8:46, Joh 10:32, Joh 18:23 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 26:19”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 26 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification