David Again Spares Saul in His Camp
1 Samuel 26:1-25
1 S.26.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הזפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגבעתה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הלוא: PART
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מסתתר: PART,qal,pres,3,m,sg
- בגבעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- החכילה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הישימן: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Sam 23:19-23 (verbal): A nearly identical report earlier in the narrative: the Ziphites come to Saul at Gibeah and say that David is hiding among them (same accusation/location).
- 1 Sam 24:1-7 (structural): A parallel episode where Saul seeks David in the wilderness and David has an opportunity to kill Saul but spares him—structurally and thematically parallel to the sparing episode that follows in ch. 26.
- Psalm 54 (superscription) (allusion): The psalm's superscription explicitly recalls the Ziphites' report to Saul that 'Is not David hiding among us?'; it alludes to the same event and its emotional/theological ramifications.
- 1 Sam 23:14 (thematic): Describes David remaining in strongholds in the wilderness (including the region of Ziph), providing broader context for David's flight and hiding referenced in 26:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, on the face of Jeshimon?”
- The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah opposite Jeshimoth?”
1 S.26.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- זיף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואתו: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחורי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבקש: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זיף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:1-22 (structural): A closely parallel episode: Saul goes into the wilderness to seek David and David encounters Saul in a cave, sparing his life — the same narrative motif of pursuit and an opportunity to kill Saul (cf. 1 Sam 26).
- 1 Samuel 18:10-11 (verbal): Earlier scene where Saul threatens David with a spear (throws at him). The weapon imagery (Saul's spear) recurs in 1 Sam 26 when David takes Saul's spear as proof he spared him.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-18 (thematic): Saul's repeated attempts to apprehend or kill David (sending messengers, pursuing him) — sustains the ongoing theme of Saul's pursuit that culminates in the Ziph wilderness episode.
- 1 Samuel 23:14 (thematic): States that Saul sought David day by day but God did not deliver him into Saul's hand, reflecting the same pattern of pursuit in the wilderness of Ziph described in 1 Sam 26:2.
- 1 Samuel 23:19-24 (allusion): The Ziphite episodes (Ziphites informing Saul of David's whereabouts and Saul's movements against David) provide immediate narrative background and local detail that parallel the setting and actions of 1 Sam 26:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Saul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, he and three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
- Then Saul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, he and three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
1 S.26.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגבעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- החכילה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הישימן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
- המדברה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:1-3 (verbal): Almost identical narrative: Saul pursues David into the wilderness/rocks, and David is present in the wilderness — same setting and pursuit language.
- 1 Samuel 23:14 (thematic): States that David 'was in the wilderness in strongholds, and Saul sought him every day' — echoes the motif of continual pursuit and David dwelling in the wilderness.
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7 (structural): In the parallel cave episode David's men urge him to kill Saul when he is vulnerable — the same moral/political dilemma that reappears after Saul pursues David into the wilderness.
- 1 Samuel 26:7-11 (structural): Later in the same chapter David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and spare his life — a direct recurrence of the pursuit-and-spare sequence introduced in 26:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the face of Jeshimon, by the road; and David was in the wilderness. When David saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness,
- Saul encamped on the hill of Hakilah, opposite Jeshimoth, on the road; and David was in the wilderness. David perceived that Saul had come out to seek him in the wilderness.
1 S.26.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מרגלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Sam.26.3 (structural): Immediate context: Saul musters 3,000 chosen men and goes to seek David — the movement of Saul in v.3 explains why David sends out spies in v.4 (close verbal/structural link).
- 1Sam.24.1-7 (thematic): Parallel episode: Saul comes into the wilderness seeking David and David has an opportunity to kill him in a cave but spares him. Same motif of Saul pursuing David and David learning Saul's presence and refusing to strike him.
- 1Sam.23:19-24 (allusion): Earlier pursuit to the wilderness of Ziph where informants (the Ziphites) tell Saul of David's location. Echoes the recurring pattern of intelligence, pursuit, and David's flight found in 26:4.
- 1Sam.26:8-12 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: after learning Saul's presence David's men (Abishai) propose killing Saul and seize his spear — these verses form the direct moral and action response to the information gained in v.4.
Alternative generated candidates
- David sent out scouts and learned that Saul had indeed come to the place.
- David sent spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.
1 S.26.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- שם: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבנר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבאו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3m
- ושאול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- במעגל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- חנים: VERB,qal,ptc,mp
- סביבתיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 24:3-7 (structural): Directly parallel episode: David enters Saul’s camp at night, finds Saul sleeping with his men around him, and refrains from harming the king—same setting and action as 1 Sam 26:5–11.
- 1 Sam 24:8-12 (verbal): David’s words to Saul in the cave (asserting his innocence and refusing to lift his hand against the LORD’s anointed) are echoed in his speech in 1 Sam 26, showing a deliberate verbal and moral parallel between the two encounters.
- Judg 7:9-22 (thematic): Gideon’s night operation against the Midianite camp: a small force approaches an enemy encampment while the enemy sleeps. Parallels include stealth, surprise at night, and the strategic advantages of attacking or reconnoitring an encamped foe.
- 2 Sam 1:17-27 (thematic): David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan highlights the complex relationship between David and Saul—despite persecution (as in 1 Sam 26), David shows respect and sorrow for Saul, underscoring the moral restraint displayed when he spares Saul’s life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the captain of his host; and Saul lay within the circle, and the people were lying around him.
- David rose and went to the place where Saul had pitched camp. David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army; Saul was lying within the encampment, while the people were encamped around him.
1 S.26.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחימלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אבישי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צרויה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- יואב: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבישי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- ארד: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:3-7 (thematic): Earlier parallel episode in which David enters Saul’s camp (at Engedi), faces the opportunity to attack Saul, and restrains his men — same situation of penetrating Saul’s camp and refusing to kill the LORD’s anointed.
- 1 Samuel 26:7-11 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same scene: Abishai volunteers and actually seizes Saul’s spear and water-jug, but David forbids killing Saul — directly linked verbal/action sequence to v.6.
- 1 Samuel 26:12-25 (thematic): The remainder of the chapter where David reproaches Saul and declares his innocence; parallels David’s words and motives in 1 Sam 24 (defense to Saul and appeal to God as judge) and completes the episode begun in v.6.
- 1 Samuel 24:12-15 (verbal): David’s defence to Saul in the earlier episode (appeal to God as judge and protestation of innocence) uses language and themes repeated later in 26 when David confronts Saul after entering the camp.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul into the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”
- David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”
1 S.26.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבישי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- ישן: ADJ,m,sg
- במעגל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחניתו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מעוכה: ADJ,f,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ואבנר: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- שכבים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- סביבתיו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+prs.3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.24:3-7 (verbal): Almost identical scene: Saul asleep in the camp, his spear stuck in the ground by his head and Abner and the men sleeping around him — the parallel cave/camp episode where David spares Saul.
- 1 Sam.24:8-12 (thematic): David refuses to kill Saul and appeals to the Lord as judge; mirrors the moral motive for sparing Saul in 26:7–12.
- 1 Sam.26:8-12 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same incident: Abishai and David confront Saul and David again reproves the men and spares the king, showing the episode's resolution.
- Judges 7:19-22 (thematic): Night attack on an enemy camp where foes are routed while asleep — parallel motif of surprise/night operations against sleeping enemies.
- 2 Sam.1:14-16 (thematic): David punishes the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, reflecting the same principle of protecting and honoring 'the Lord's anointed' that motivated David in 26:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- So David and Abishai came into the people by night; and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the circle, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, and Abner and the people lay sleeping all around him.
- So David and Abishai came into the camp by night; behold, Saul was lying asleep within the encampment, his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the people were sleeping all around him.
1 S.26.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבישי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סגר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- אויבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- ועתה: CONJ
- אכנו: VERB,qal,cohort,1,m,sg+3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- בחנית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובארץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- פעם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אשנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:4 (verbal): Abishai makes essentially the same offer to David here — claiming God has delivered Saul into David's hand and asking permission to strike him — almost identical wording to 1 Sam 26:8.
- 1 Samuel 24:6–7 (structural): David's refusal to let his men kill Saul appears in this earlier episode: he cites the LORD's anointing and conscience as reasons to restrain vengeance, paralleling his response after Abishai's offer in 26:8–11.
- 1 Samuel 26:9–11 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: David rebukes Abishai, spares Saul, and explains why he will not stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed — the direct outcome of the offer in 26:8.
- Romans 12:19 (thematic): Paul's injunction 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord' echoes the theological principle behind David's refusal to take vengeance into his own hands and to leave judgment to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day; now therefore let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear— I will not need to strike him again.”
- Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand today; now let me pin him to the ground with the spear—one stroke—and I will not strike him again.”
1 S.26.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אבישי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תשחיתהו: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- במשיח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ונקה: VERB,niphal,imperfect,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): Near-identical wording when David spares Saul in the cave: David refuses to harm 'the LORD's anointed,' citing guilt for striking him.
- 2 Samuel 1:14 (verbal): David rebukes the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul: 'How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?' — same charge against harming the king.
- Psalm 105:15 (cf. 1 Chron 16:22) (quotation): Psalm/Chronicles records the divine injunction 'Touch not mine anointed,' a tradition invoked to prohibit harm to God's chosen ruler.
- Psalm 2:2 (thematic): Speaks of rulers conspiring 'against the LORD and against his anointed,' framing attacks on the king as opposition to God — the broader theological backdrop for David's restraint.
- 1 Kings 1:39 (thematic): The anointing of Solomon as king underscores the institutional role of 'the LORD's anointed' (mashiah) in Israelite monarchy, the category to which David refers when forbidding harm to Saul.
Alternative generated candidates
- But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
- David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
1 S.26.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יגפנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- או: CONJ
- יומו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+prs3ms
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- או: CONJ
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ונספה: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:10 (verbal): Near-identical wording—when David spares Saul earlier he declares ‘As the LORD lives, the LORD will smite him, or his day shall come to die,’ trusting God to deal with Saul.
- 1 Samuel 24:12 (thematic): Same episode/theme of leaving judgment to God—David refuses to harm the LORD’s anointed and appeals to God as the ultimate judge.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 (verbal): ‘Vengeance is mine, and recompense’—an OT principle that God will execute judgment, echoing David’s refusal to take vengeance into his own hands.
- Romans 12:19 (quotation): Paul quotes Deut 32:35 (‘Vengeance is mine’) to command believers to leave vengeance to God—the same theological rationale David articulates in refusing to kill Saul.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.
- David added, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, either he will die, or his day will come and he will perish, or he will go down into battle and be consumed.”
1 S.26.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חלילה: INTJ
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מיהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משלח: VERB,piel,part,3,m,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- במשיח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- את: PRT,acc
- החנית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- צפחת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ונלכה: VERB,qal,imprf,1,_,pl
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): David twice refuses to harm Saul with the same formula invoking the LORD and 'the LORD's anointed' (direct verbal parallel to 1 Sam 26:11).
- 1 Samuel 24:10–11 (thematic): Earlier incident where David explains why he spared Saul and trusts God to deliver him—same theme of leaving judgment to God and not stretching out a hand against the anointed.
- Psalm 105:15 (allusion): ‘Touch not mine anointed’ — a royal/theological principle invoked elsewhere that undergirds David’s refusal to attack Saul (an allusion to divine protection of the anointed).
- Psalm 18:50 (Heb. 18:50/Eng. 18:50–19:0) (thematic): Speaks of God’s saving care for his anointed (David); echoes the conviction that the LORD protects and ultimately vindicates his anointed one, the background for David’s restraint.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Now therefore take the spear that is at his head and the cruse of water, and let us go.”
- “Far be it from me, by the LORD, to stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Now therefore take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us be gone.”
1 S.26.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- החנית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- צפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מראשתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- יודע: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מקיץ: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- ישנים: ADJ,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- תרדמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נפלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Sam 24:3-7 (structural): A closely parallel episode: David enters Saul’s camp while Saul sleeps, spares his life and takes a token (here a fragment of Saul’s robe), demonstrating the same moral restraint and divine providence as in 1 Sam 26:12.
- Gen 15:12 (verbal): Uses the similar language of a divinely caused sleep—“a deep sleep fell upon Abram”—highlighting the motif of God inducing sleep as a decisive, revelatory, or protective act.
- Isa 29:10 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD pouring out a spirit of deep sleep on the people (closing their eyes), echoing the theological motif that God can incapacitate or blind enemies by causing sleep or stupor.
- 1 Sam 17:50-51 (thematic): David’s taking of enemy weaponry (Goliath’s sword/spear) after victory parallels his removal of Saul’s spear and water-cruse as signs of dominance and restraint—capturing symbols of the enemy without slaying him.
Alternative generated candidates
- So David took the spear and the cruse of water from beside Saul’s head; and they went away, and no one saw it or knew it, and no one woke. For a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
- David took the spear and the jar of water from beside Saul’s head; and they went away. No one saw it, no one knew it, no one awoke; for they were all asleep, for a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.
1 S.26.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העבר: VERB,qal,ptcp,m,sg,def
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מרחק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:3–7 (structural): Parallel episode: David again has Saul within reach (in a cave) but spares him and maintains a distance; the overall structure—opportunity to kill the king, refusal, and withdrawal—is repeated.
- 1 Samuel 24:5–6 (or 24:11 KJV 24:6 ESV) (verbal): David’s explicit refusal to harm “the LORD’s anointed” appears here and is echoed in the 26 narrative as the motive for keeping his distance and not attacking Saul.
- 1 Samuel 26:9–11 (thematic): Immediate parallel within the same episode: Abishai urges killing Saul, and David forbids it—reiterating the stance that Saul is the LORD’s anointed and reinforcing the decision to stand off at a distance.
- 1 Samuel 24:12 (thematic): David’s appeal to divine justice—leaving punishment to the LORD rather than taking vengeance himself—parallels his behavior in 26:13 of withdrawing to a safe distance rather than executing Saul.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill a great distance off; there was a sizeable space between them.
- David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill at a great distance; there was a wide space between them.
1 S.26.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אבנר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הלוא: PART
- תענה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אבנר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אבנר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- קראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:3-11 (structural): The earlier ‘cave’ episode that parallels ch.26: David spares Saul, then calls out afterward; the same pattern of a merciful David addressing Saul (and those with him) appears here, creating a deliberate doublet.
- 1 Samuel 24:16 (verbal): Saul’s recognition/response to David’s voice in the cave episode (’Is that your voice, David my son?’) echoes the question in 26:14 ('Who are you that call to the king?'), highlighting the verbal interchange and recognition motif.
- 1 Samuel 26:17-19 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same scene in ch.26 where David reproves Saul; several phrases (appeals to the LORD to judge between them, David’s refusal to strike) repeat language and themes from the 24 narrative, underscoring the parallel episodes.
- 2 Samuel 3:22-27 (thematic): Later episode involving Abner’s departure and violent death (Joab’s murder) provides a thematic contrast: Abner’s cautious interrogation/response in 1 Sam 26:14 and his political role here are set against the fatal consequences of factional violence after Saul’s downfall.
Alternative generated candidates
- David called to the people and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” And Abner answered, “Who are you that calls to the king?”
- David called to the people and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Abner answered, “Who are you that calls to the king?”
1 S.26.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אבנר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלוא: PART
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ומי: PRON,interr
- כמוך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמה: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אדניך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להשחית: VERB,hif,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אדניך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam 24:8-11 (verbal): David earlier spares Saul in the cave and uses the same idea/phrase of not stretching out his hand against "the LORD's anointed," a near-verbal and thematic parallel to his reproach of Abner for failing to protect the king.
- 2 Sam 1:14-16 (verbal): David condemns the Amalekite who claims to have killed Saul, asking how he was not afraid to touch "the LORD's anointed"—a direct verbal echo and same moral charge as in 1 Sam 26:15.
- 1 Sam 19:4-5 (thematic): Jonathan intercedes with Saul to protect David from being killed; thematically parallels the concern for the life and safety of a key royal figure and the duty of others to refrain from harming him.
- 1 Sam 26:21-25 (structural): Abner's reply and the subsequent exchange mirror and counterpoint David's rebuke in 26:15—both passages address responsibility for the king's safety and the political tensions between David and Saul's supporters.
Alternative generated candidates
- David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then did you not keep watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came to destroy the king your lord.
- David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? Who is like you among the men of Israel? Why then did you not guard your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.
1 S.26.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- אדניכם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- על: PREP
- משיח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- אי: PRON,interrog
- חנית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- צפחת: NOUN,f,sg,constr
- המים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:4-7 (verbal): Same episode variant: David spares Saul and uses the formula refusing to stretch out his hand against 'the LORD's anointed' (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה), echoing the moral reproach in 26:16.
- 1 Samuel 26:8-11 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: David takes the king's spear and cruse, confronts Saul, and again insists on not harming 'the LORD's anointed'—the same objects (spear, cruse) and themes recur.
- 2 Samuel 1:14 (thematic): David's execution of the Amalekite for claiming to have killed Saul invokes the same principle—'How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?'—reinforcing the sanctity of the anointed king.
- Psalm 105:15 (allusion): A more general legal/theological maxim—'Touch not mine anointed'—that undergirds the resistance to harming the king and serves as a theological backdrop to the rebuke in 1 Sam 26:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- This is not good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are worthy of death, because you have not guarded your lord, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is and the cruse of water that was at his head.”
- This thing is not good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are worthy of death, because you did not keep your lord the king. Behold, the spear of the king and the jar of water that were at his head!”
1 S.26.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכר: VERB,qal,ipf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הקולך: NOUN,m,sg,def,poss,2,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קולי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:16–17 (quotation): Near-verbatim parallel: in the Engedi incident Saul recognizes David's voice and asks if it is his voice; David replies addressing him 'my lord the king'—the exchange closely mirrors 1 Sam 26:17.
- 1 Samuel 24:1–22 (structural): Structural doublet: the two narratives (1 Sam 24 and 26) are parallel incidents in which David spares Saul after surprising him, including recognition, a plea for life, and an oath—repeating the same plot pattern.
- Genesis 27:22 (verbal): Verbal/ thematic parallel: Isaac identifies Jacob by his voice—'The voice is Jacob's voice'—echoing the motif of recognizing and identifying a person by their voice.
- 1 Samuel 26:18–21 (thematic): Immediate thematic parallel: the following verses continue the same deference and refusals—David again calls Saul 'my lord the king' and explains why he will not harm him, paralleling the language and themes of the earlier cave encounter.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Saul knew David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”
- Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David answered, “It is my voice, O my lord the king.”
1 S.26.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- רדף: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מה: PRON,int
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- בידי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff1s
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:11–12 (verbal): David makes essentially the same protest of innocence to Saul — asking why the king pursues him and insisting he has done no wrong toward Saul.
- Psalm 7:3–5 (thematic): David appeals to God to judge between him and his pursuers and asserts his innocence, offering a conditional oath if he were guilty (theme of vindication and protest of innocence).
- Psalm 26:1 (verbal): A direct plea for divine judgment on the basis of personal integrity — 'Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity,' echoing the plea 'what evil is in my hand?'."
- Acts 25:18 (thematic): Paul, like David, protests before authorities that he has committed no wrongdoing against his accusers — a New Testament parallel of an innocent defendant denied and pursued.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said, “Why then does my lord thus pursue his servant? What have I done? What is my crime?”
- Saul said, “Why then, my lord the king, do you pursue your servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?”
1 S.26.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- ישמע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הסיתך: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg,obj-2ms
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ירח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארורים: ADJ,m,pl
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- גרשוני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj-1s
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מהסתפח: PREP+VERB,hitp,ptcp,m,sg
- בנחלת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,construct
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam 24:11-12 (verbal): Nearly identical language and argument: David tells Saul to listen and states that if the LORD stirred him up against David let him take it, but if men, they are accursed — David asserts his innocence and complains of being driven from the LORD's inheritance.
- 1 Sam 26:21-25 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same incident where David again protests his innocence, appeals to God as judge, and reproves those who drove him away — reinforces the same defense and motif of being expelled from God's heritage.
- Ps 7:3-6 (thematic): David (or psalmist) appeals to God as the judge against persecutors, pleads innocence against false accusations and asks God to vindicate him and judge his enemies — parallels the plea for divine judgment and curse on those who act unjustly.
- 2 Sam 15:13-14 (thematic): David is forced to flee Jerusalem because of a popular rebellion (Absalom’s conspiracy); thematically parallels being driven out of one’s allotted place/heritage by human hostility rather than God’s will.
- Jer 23:1-2 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of leaders who scatter and drive away the flock, bringing a curse on those who mislead and expel God’s people — similar motif of human agents causing loss of inheritance and deserving judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David said to Saul, “My lord the king, listen to the words of your servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering; but if it is men, they be accursed before the LORD, because they have driven me out today from abiding in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
- Now therefore hear, I pray, my lord the king, the word of your servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering; but if men have incited you, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out today from abiding in the LORD’s heritage, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’”
1 S.26.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- יפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מנגד: ADV
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבקש: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- פרעש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- ירדף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הקרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:20 (verbal): Nearly identical wording and plea — David begs that his blood not fall to the ground before the LORD; same context of sparing Saul.
- 1 Samuel 24:13 (verbal): Contains the same hunting simile ('the king of Israel has gone out to seek a single flea' / 'as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains') used earlier when David spares Saul in the cave.
- 1 Samuel 24:6 (verbal): David's declaration 'I will not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed' gives the same theological reason for refusing to kill Saul.
- Psalm 7:3-5 (thematic): David appeals to God to judge between him and his persecutor and insists he will not take vengeance himself — a similar reliance on divine justice rather than personal retaliation.
- Romans 12:19 (thematic): New Testament injunction to 'leave room for God’s wrath' and not avenge oneself echoes the principle of refusing personal vengeance and leaving judgment to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore may my blood not fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek one worthless man, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
- “Let not my blood fall to the earth before the LORD,” he said; “for the king of Israel has come out to seek one worthless man, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
1 S.26.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חטאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- שוב: ADV
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- ארע: VERB,qal,impf,1,com,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- תחת: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יקרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- הסכלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- ואשגה: VERB,qal,impf,1,com,sg
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:11 (verbal): David had just told Saul that his life was precious in David’s eyes 'this day'—Saul here echoes that exact language when he confesses and asks David to turn back.
- 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (structural): The whole earlier episode (David spares Saul, Saul weeps and admits wrongdoing) closely parallels 26: Saul again confesses sin and pledges not to harm David; the narrative structure and mutual protestations mirror each other.
- Psalm 51:4 (verbal): Both verses feature an explicit confession 'I have sinned' (Heb. חָטָאתִי), linking Saul’s admission to the classic penitential language of confessing guilt before God or another party.
- Luke 15:21 (thematic): The prodigal son's confession 'I have sinned against heaven, and before thee' parallels Saul’s repentant formula—both are brief admissions of sin accompanying a plea to be received or spared.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no longer do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day.”
- Saul said, “I have sinned; return, my son David, for I will do you no more harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool and have erred greatly.”
1 S.26.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- חנית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- מהנערים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויקחה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.24.11 (verbal): Uses the same wording — “Behold the king’s spear” — and the command that a young man fetch it; the earlier cave-episode parallel to 26: David spares Saul and takes his spear.
- 1 Sam.24.3-7 (structural): The earlier scene in the wilderness/cave where David refrains from killing Saul (cuts his skirt) mirrors the structure of 26: an opportunity to kill the king, restraint, and preservation of the king’s weapon.
- 1 Sam.26.10-11 (verbal): Within the same chapter David actually removes Saul’s spear and water bottle and repeats the declaration to fetch the spear — a near-quotation/recapitulation of 26:22’s action and wording.
- 1 Sam.24.16-22 (thematic): David’s reproach of Saul and his appeal to God’s justice after sparing the king (affirming his innocence and trusting God) parallels the moral/theological thrust of 26: David’s restraint and reliance on divine vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- David answered, “Behold the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and take it.” So the young man passed over and took it from beside Saul.
- David said, “Behold the spear of the king; let one of the young men come over and take it.”
1 S.26.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישיב: VERB,hifil,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- צדקתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+SFX3MS
- ואת: CONJ
- אמנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+SFX3MS
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתנך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+obj2ms
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- אביתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- לשלח: VERB,qal,inf
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- במשיח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam 24:6 (verbal): David refuses to stretch out his hand against Saul, calling him 'the LORD's anointed'—same phrase and refusal to harm the king as in 1 Sam 26:23.
- 1 Sam 24:17-22 (thematic): Saul acknowledges David's righteousness and blesses him, saying the LORD will reward him—parallels David's blessing that the LORD repay good for spared life.
- 1 Sam 26:9-11 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same episode: David explains why he would not strike Saul, again refusing to touch the LORD's anointed and praising Saul's earlier kindness.
- Prov 25:21-22 (thematic): Instruction to repay an enemy's need with kindness (feed him if hungry) and leave outcome to God mirrors the idea of God repaying good for the kindness shown.
- Rom 12:19 (allusion): 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord'—the NT principle of leaving recompense to God resonates with David's appeal that the LORD repay the good done to him.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David said, “The LORD will repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not lift up my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
- And David said, “May the LORD repay every man his righteousness and his faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
1 S.26.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- כאשר: CONJ
- גדלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כן: ADV
- תגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויצלני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,obj+1cs
- מכל: PREP
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 24:16-22 (verbal): Earlier, in a parallel cave episode David spares Saul and uses similar language about not laying hands on him and leaving judgment to the LORD—the same moral posture and appeal to divine vindication appear here.
- 1 Samuel 26:23 (structural): The immediately adjacent verse records Saul's blessing and David's reciprocal stance; together the verses form a unit showing David's restraint and his trust that God will exalt and deliver him.
- Psalm 34:17 (thematic): A Davidic psalm that states the righteous cry and the LORD delivers them from all their troubles—echoing the promise 'he will deliver me out of all distress.'
- Psalm 18:17-19 (thematic): David celebrates personal deliverance by the LORD—God bringing him out of danger and rescuing him—paralleling the claim that God will exalt and rescue David from distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, as your life was precious in my eyes this day, so may my life be precious in the eyes of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all trouble.”
- As your life was precious in my sight today, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me from all trouble.”
1 S.26.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- וגם: CONJ
- יכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תוכל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדרכו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושאול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למקומו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.24:20-22 (verbal): Saul utters a nearly identical blessing and ends the encounter the same way: he blesses David and David departs while Saul returns to his place (repeated formulaic language).
- 1 Sam.26:23 (thematic): Immediate context: Saul explicitly recognizes that David will be king and refrains from harming him—echoing the blessing’s note that David will 'do more and prevail.'
- 2 Sam.7:8-9 (thematic): God’s promise to establish David’s house and grant him victory and a secure place parallels the blessing’s affirmation that David will prosper and prevail as God’s chosen leader.
- Gen.27:29 (thematic): Isaac’s paternal blessing promises dominance and that others will serve the recipient—a comparable blessing-formula promising success, honor, and prevailing authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David; you shall both accomplish much and prevail.” And David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
- Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David; you shall both do and succeed.” Then David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, 'Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, before Jeshimon?' So Saul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, he and three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, on the way; and David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness,
David sent out scouts and learned that Saul had indeed come to the place.
Then David rose and came to the place where Saul had pitched camp; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, commander of his army; Saul lay within the circle, and the people were lying around him.
David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, 'Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?' And Abishai said, 'I will go down with you.' So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the circle, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head; Abner and the people were sleeping all around him.
Abishai said to David, 'God has today delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear— I will not strike him again.' But David said to Abishai, 'Do not destroy him; for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?'
David continued, 'As the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
Far be it from me, because he is the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him. Now therefore take the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us go.' So David took the spear and the cruse of water from beside Saul's head, and they went away; no one saw it or knew it, nor did anyone awake, for they were all asleep; for a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.
Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill at a distance; there was a great space between them.
David cried to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, 'Will you not answer, Abner?' And Abner answered, 'Who are you that calls to the king?'
David said to Abner, 'Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then did you not guard your lord the king? For one of the people came to destroy the king your lord.
This is not good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are guilty of blood, because you did not guard your lord, the LORD's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the cruse of water that was by his head.'
Then Saul recognized David's voice and said, 'Is that your voice, my son David?' And David said, 'It is my voice, my lord the king.'
Saul said, 'Why then does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done? What is my sin?' And David said to Saul, 'Now listen to the words of your servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from cleaving to the inheritance of the LORD, saying, "Go, serve other gods."'
'Now therefore do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek one small prey, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.'
Then Saul said, 'I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will no longer do you harm, because my life was precious in my sight this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly and erred exceedingly.' And David answered, 'Behold the king's spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it.'
The LORD will repay everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness; the LORD delivered you into my hand today, and I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. And behold, as your life was dear to me today, so may my life be dear in the sight of the LORD, and He deliver me from all distress.' So Saul said to David, 'Blessed are you, my son David; you shall both accomplish much and prevail.' And David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.