The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed.

1 SAMUEL 26:23KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 26:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 26:23 mean?

1 Samuel 26:23 says that the LORD will repay each person according to their righteousness and faithfulness. David explains that even though God allowed Saul to fall into his power that day, David refused to harm Saul because Saul was chosen by God.

In this verse, David is speaking directly to King Saul after sparing his life for a second time. David emphasizes that he acted with integrity and loyalty, trusting that God (the LORD) sees and rewards such behavior. The verse highlights David’s respect for Saul’s position as the LORD’s anointed king, even while Saul was seeking to kill him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 26:23

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to stress God's authority as the ultimate judge and deliverer.
  • "Render" (יָשׁוּב, yashuv): This word means "to return" or "to repay," showing that David believes God will give back to each person according to their actions.
  • "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah): This word often refers to doing what is right or just in God’s eyes, not just following rules but living with integrity.
  • "Faithfulness" (אֱמוּנָה, emunah): This word means steadfastness or reliability, pointing to David’s loyalty both to God and to Saul as king.
  • "Anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This means "chosen one" or "anointed one," referring specifically to Saul as the king set apart by God.

Why 1 Samuel 26:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s refusal to harm Saul was not weakness or fear, but a deliberate choice to honor God’s will and timing.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing David’s consistent respect for Saul’s role as God’s anointed, even when Saul was hostile.
  • It highlights a key biblical principle: God is the one who judges and rewards people’s actions, not just other humans or circumstances.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“faithfulness” Hebrew H530 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
  • Psalms 88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
  • Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

“righteousness” Hebrew H6666 · used in 150 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
  • Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.