And he said, Wherefore doeth my lord thus pursue after his seruant? for what haue I done? or what euill is in mine hand? 1 Samuel 26:18 (KJV)
In this verse we find David speaking to Saul during a critical moment in their relationship. To understand the context, it is helpful to look at the events leading up to it. At this point in the narrative David had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel, while Saul was still reigning as the current king. Because of Saul’s increasing jealousy and fear of David’s popularity and success, he sought to kill David out of his own insecurity.
In 1 Samuel 26 we see an incident where Saul went in pursuit of David with the intention of capturing or killing him. David and his faithful companion Abishai happened to come upon Saul’s camp while the Israelites were sleeping, and Abishai suggested that they seize the opportunity to put an end to Saul’s threat once for all. In response, David refused to harm Saul, stating, “Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?” He then called out to Saul’s army from a distance, saying, “Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?”
David’s words reflect his innocence and his refusal to take matters into his own hands by harming the anointed king of Israel. Throughout the book of 1 Samuel David consistently demonstrates his faith in God and his respect for Saul as God’s chosen king, despite Saul’s relentless pursuit and attempts to harm him. David recognizes that it is not his place to usurp the throne but rather to trust in God’s timing and sovereignty.
This verse highlights David’s humility, trust in God’s plan, and his unwillingness to raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed, even when he had opportunities to do so. It serves as a broader lesson for believers in respecting and submitting to authority: although Saul’s actions were unjust and driven by his own insecurities, David chose not to retaliate or take revenge, instead leaving justice in God’s hands.
Thus 1 Samuel 26:18 captures David’s humble response, reflecting his trust in God’s sovereignty and his deep respect for the authority that God had established, encouraging believers to similarly trust in God’s timing and justice.
