1 Samuel 26:8
1 Samuel 26:8 in Multiple Translations
Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!”
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.
Then 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.
Then Abishai said to David, God has given up your hater into your hands today; now let me give him one blow through to the earth with his spear, and there will be no need to give him a second.
Abishai said to David, “God has handed your enemy over to you today. So please let me spear him to the ground in one go. I won't need to do it twice!”
Then saide Abishai to Dauid, God hath closed thine enemie into thine hande this day: now therefore, I pray thee, let me smite him once with a speare to the earth, and I will not smite him againe.
And Abishai saith unto David, 'God hath shut up to-day thine enemy into thy hand; and, now, let me smite him, I pray thee, with a spear, even into the earth at once — and I do repeat [it] to him.'
Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered up your enemy into your hand today. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thy enemy into thy 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.
And Abisai said to David: God hath shut up thy enemy this day into thy hands: now then I will run him through with my spear even to the earth at once, and there shall be no need of a second time.
Abishai whispered to David, “Today Yahweh has enabled us to kill your enemy! Allow me to fasten Saul to the ground by thrusting my spear into him. It will be necessary for me to strike him only once. I will not need to strike him twice.”
Abishai said, “Boss. Look at this. God wants you to kill that old man. He did wrong to you. I will stab him right through with his spear. I’ll only stab him one time. I’ll use that spear like it is a big pin, and I’ll pin him to the ground, and he will die straight away.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 26:8
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1 Samuel 26:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 26:8
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 26:8
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 26:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 26:8
Context — David Again Spares Saul
8Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!”
9But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” 10David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 24:4 | So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 26:23 | May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:30 | How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 24:18–19 | And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 23:14 | And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand. |
| 6 | Joshua 21:44 | And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. |
| 7 | Judges 1:4 | When Judah attacked, the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek. |
| 8 | Romans 11:32 | For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. |
| 9 | Galatians 3:22–23 | But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. |
| 10 | Nahum 1:9 | Whatever you plot against the LORD, He will bring to an end. Affliction will not rise up a second time. |
1 Samuel 26:8 Summary
[In 1 Samuel 26:8, Abishai sees an opportunity to kill Saul, believing God has delivered him into their hands. However, this verse also teaches us about the importance of discerning God's will and timing, rather than acting on our own impulses, as seen in Psalm 27:14, where we are encouraged to wait on the Lord. David's response to Abishai highlights his trust in God's sovereignty and commitment to not taking matters into his own hands. This event reminds us to trust in God's plan and timing, even when faced with challenging circumstances, and to seek guidance from His Word, as in Proverbs 3:5-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Abishai's motivation for wanting to kill Saul?
Abishai saw an opportunity to eliminate David's enemy, believing God had delivered Saul into their hands, as stated in 1 Samuel 26:8. This motivation was rooted in a desire to protect David and fulfill what he perceived as God's deliverance.
Was Abishai's suggestion to kill Saul in line with God's will?
According to 1 Samuel 26:9-10, David did not believe it was God's will for them to kill Saul, citing that Saul was the Lord's anointed and that God would deal with him in His own time, similar to the principle found in Romans 12:19.
How does this event relate to the broader theme of David's life?
This event showcases David's trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Psalm 37:7, and his commitment to not taking matters into his own hands, even when faced with the opportunity to eliminate his enemy, reflecting the character of a man after God's own heart, as described in 1 Samuel 13:14.
What can we learn from Abishai's statement about God delivering enemies into our hands?
Abishai's statement in 1 Samuel 26:8 highlights the importance of discerning God's will and timing, rather than assuming every opportunity is a divine deliverance, as cautioned in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are advised to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am tempted to take matters into my own hands, rather than trusting in God's sovereignty?
- How can I, like David, balance the desire for self-preservation with the need to trust in God's protection and timing?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of not lifting a hand against God's anointed, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:9, to my relationships and interactions with others?
- What role does patience and waiting on God play in my decision-making process, and how can I cultivate this virtue in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 26:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 26:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 26:8
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:8
Sermons on 1 Samuel 26:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Name 'Christian'. by Elijah Goodwin | Elijah Goodwin preaches about the significance of the name 'Christian' as the family name of the religious association, derived from 'Christ' meaning 'anointed.' He emphasizes that |
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Example of Living by Faith by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of living by faith through the example of David, who, despite having the opportunity to kill Saul, chose to trust God's timing and methods i |
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The Heart of David by Art Katz | Art Katz explores the profound significance of a single moment in David's life, particularly his encounter with Saul in 1 Samuel 24, illustrating the timeless conflict between the |
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Exposition on Psalm 54 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the significance of Psalm 53, focusing on the hidden meanings within the text. He delves into the allegorical interpretation of the Ziphites as enemies of |
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The Lord Render to Every Man by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness in the Christian walk, using examples from the Bible to illustrate the need for trust in God's plans and the avoidance of jeal |
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Praise by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Elijah and his servant when they saw the mountains full of chariots, representing the enemy. The preacher emphasizes that when w |
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America's Greatest Need by B.R. Lakin | Dr. B. R. Lakin delivers a powerful sermon titled 'America’s Greatest Need,' emphasizing the importance of patriotism, gratitude, responsibility, and faith in God for the nation's |







