BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 26› Verse 9

1 Samuel 26:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 26:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah`s anointed, and be guiltless?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah`s anointed, and be guiltless?
1 Samuel 26:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Then 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.
7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.
8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time.
9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against Jehovah`s anointed, and be guiltless?
10And David said, As Jehovah liveth, Jehovah will smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.
11Jehovah forbid that I should put forth my hand against Jehovah`s anointed: but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul`s head; and they gat them away: and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Jehovah was fallen upon them.
← 1 Samuel 26:81 Samuel 26:10 →
← Full Chapter 26 1 Samuel Overview

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 David said to Abishai, destroy him not, etc.] He laid his commands upon him not to hurt him: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? since Saul was king, and appointed to that office by the Lord, and was anointed by his order for it, and invested with it by him, his person was sacred, and not to be touched; nor could his life be taken away by any without being guilty of a very great crime indeed, which it might be justly expected the Lord would resent and punish.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Destroy him not, &c. - Though Saul be a tyrant, yet he is our Lord and king; and I, though designed king, as yet am his subject; and therefore cannot kill him without sin, nor will I consent that thou shouldst do it. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 26:11”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:9 the Lord’s anointed: See study note on 24:6.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“who can stretch: Sa1 24:6, Sa1 24:7; Sa2 1:14, Sa2 1:16; Psa 105:15 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 26:10”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification