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 26:9KJV
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1 Samuel 26:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 26:9 mean?

1 Samuel 26:9 shows David stopping Abishai from killing Saul, warning that no one can attack the LORD’s anointed and be without guilt. David insists that harming Saul, who is still recognized as chosen by God, would bring serious wrongdoing.

In this scene, David is speaking to Abishai while they are secretly in Saul’s camp at night. Saul, the king, is hunting David, but David refuses to take revenge or seize power by force. The verse highlights David’s respect for Saul’s position as "the LORD’s anointed," meaning someone set apart by God, even though Saul is acting as David’s enemy.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 26:9

  • "Destroy" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to ruin or kill. David’s command is strong—he tells Abishai not to bring destruction on Saul, emphasizing the seriousness of such an act.
  • "LORD'S" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible. By calling Saul "the LORD’s anointed," David points to God’s authority as the reason for restraint.
  • "Anointed" (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This word means someone specially chosen and set apart by God, usually by the ritual of anointing with oil. David recognizes that Saul’s status comes from God, not from Saul’s actions or character.
  • "Guiltless" (נָקִי, naqiy): This word means free from blame or innocent. David’s question makes clear that attacking Saul would leave a person guilty before God, no matter the circumstances.

Why 1 Samuel 26:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s refusal to harm Saul is not just personal mercy but a deep respect for God’s choice and authority.
  • This moment shows David’s character and his belief that right and wrong are defined by God’s commands, not by opportunity or personal grievance.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by explaining why David, though given the chance, does not take the throne by violence, setting an example of patience and trust in God’s timing.

Where else these words appear

“Abishai” Hebrew H52 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then 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.
  • 2 Samuel 10:14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“guiltless” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Judges 15:3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
  • Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

“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 26:16 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.
  • 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.

“Destroy” Hebrew H7843 · used in 136 verses

  • Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
  • 2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 6:5 Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.