King James Version
1 Samuel 26:9 in the King James Version says “And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guilt...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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 26:9 · KJV
So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
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. delivered: Heb. shut up
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
KJV Study — Public Domain
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
“him not for who can stretch forth”
H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
“his hand”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
“anointed”
H4899anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
“against the LORD'S”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
“and be guiltless”
H5352to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
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.
1 Samuel 26:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to 1 Samuel 26:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge