This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

1 SAMUEL 26:16KJV
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1 Samuel 26:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 26:16 mean?

1 Samuel 26:16 records David rebuking Saul’s guard for failing to protect their king, saying their neglect was so serious it deserved death, since they had not kept watch over “the LORD’s anointed.” David then points out that he has the king’s spear and water jug, proving how close he came without being stopped.

In this scene, David is speaking to Abner, Saul’s commander, after secretly entering Saul’s camp at night. David uses the moment to show he could have harmed Saul but chose not to, highlighting both the guard’s failure and David’s respect for Saul’s position as God’s chosen king. The verse underscores the seriousness of guarding “the LORD’s anointed” and sets up David’s demonstration of mercy and restraint.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 26:16

  • "anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This word means one who is specially chosen and set apart by God, often referring to a king. David’s use of this term emphasizes Saul’s unique status and why failing to protect him was such a grave offense.
  • "kept" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This verb means to guard, watch, or protect. David’s accusation is that Abner and the guards did not fulfill their duty to carefully watch over their master, the king.
  • "worthy" (בֵּן, ben): In this context, it is part of a phrase meaning “worthy of death,” literally “a son of death,” which is a Hebrew way of saying someone deserves to die. This highlights the seriousness of their failure.

Why 1 Samuel 26:16 matters

  • This verse makes clear that David did not seek to harm Saul, but instead respected his role as God’s chosen king, even when Saul was pursuing David’s life.
  • The verse highlights the importance of loyalty and responsibility among those entrusted with leadership and protection, especially when it comes to God’s appointed leaders.
  • By showing the spear and water jug, David provides undeniable proof of his actions, which strengthens his case for innocence and integrity before Saul and his men.

Where else these words appear

“cruse” Hebrew H6835 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:11 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 Kings 17:12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
  • 1 Kings 17:16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

“bolster” Hebrew H4763 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
  • 1 Samuel 19:13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
  • 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.

“anointed” Hebrew H4899 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 1 Samuel 26:11 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.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

“spear” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.