King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 26:19 Mean?

1 Samuel 26:19 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. accept: Heb. smell abiding: Heb. cleaving

1 Samuel 26:19 · KJV


Context

17

And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

18

And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

19

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods. accept: Heb. smell abiding: Heb. cleaving

20

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

21

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's theological analysis presents two possibilities for Saul's persecution: divine instigation requiring sacrifice, or human incitement deserving curse. The Hebrew structure reveals sophisticated reasoning about the sources of conflict. Most significantly, David protests being 'driven out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD' with the implication that exile forces him toward foreign gods. This concern for covenant faithfulness amid persecution reveals David's primary anxiety: spiritual, not physical.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern religion was intensely territorial; each nation's gods were thought to rule their respective lands. David's concern about being driven from Israel's 'inheritance' (Hebrew: 'nachalah') reflects the fear that exile might compromise his relationship with YHWH, though he would later learn God's presence transcends geography.

Reflection Questions

  1. What spiritual concerns arise when circumstances seem to force you from your place of worship and community?
  2. How do you maintain faith when persecution threatens to separate you from spiritual resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 32
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יִֽשְׁמַֽע2 of 32

hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

נָא֙3 of 32
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֲדֹנִ֣י4 of 32

Now therefore I pray thee let my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ5 of 32

the king

H4428

a king

אֵ֖ת6 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּבְרֵ֣י7 of 32

the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

עַבְדּ֑וֹ8 of 32

of his servant

H5650

a servant

אִם9 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יְהוָה֙10 of 32

If the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הֱסִֽיתְךָ֥11 of 32

have stirred thee up

H5496

properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce

בִי֙12 of 32
H0
יָרַ֣ח13 of 32

against me let him accept

H7306

properly, to blow, i.e., breathe; only (literally) to smell or (by implication, perceive (figuratively, to anticipate, enjoy)

מִנְחָ֔ה14 of 32

an offering

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְאִ֣ם׀15 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּנֵ֣י16 of 32

but if they be the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָֽאָדָ֗ם17 of 32

of men

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֲרוּרִ֥ים18 of 32

cursed

H779

to execrate

הֵם֙19 of 32
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לִפְנֵ֣י20 of 32

be they before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָה֙21 of 32

If the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּֽי22 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גֵרְשׁ֣וּנִי23 of 32

for they have driven

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

הַיּ֗וֹם24 of 32

me out this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֵֽהִסְתַּפֵּ֜חַ25 of 32

from abiding

H5596

properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)

בְּנַֽחֲלַ֤ת26 of 32

in the inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

יְהוָה֙27 of 32

If the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֵאמֹ֔ר28 of 32

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֵ֥ךְ29 of 32
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עֲבֹ֖ד30 of 32

serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֱלֹהִ֥ים31 of 32

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִֽים׃32 of 32

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 26:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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