1 Samuel 26:18 kjv
And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
1 Samuel 26:18 nkjv
And he said, "Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?
1 Samuel 26:18 niv
And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?
1 Samuel 26:18 esv
And he said, "Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands?
1 Samuel 26:18 nlt
Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime?
1 Samuel 26 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 24:11 | "...no evil nor transgression in my hand..." | David's earlier appeal to Saul's innocence. |
| Ps 7:3-5 | "...if I have done this...then let the enemy persecute..." | A psalm of David appealing to God for vindication if he is guilty. |
| Ps 17:3 | "...thou hast proved my heart...found nothing..." | David's claim of a tested and clean heart before God. |
| Ps 35:7 | "For without cause have they hid for me their net..." | David speaking of being unjustly pursued. |
| Ps 59:3-4 | "For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul...not for my transgression..." | Similar complaint of persecution without cause. |
| Ps 105:14-15 | "He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings..." | God protecting His anointed (including David) from harm. |
| 1 Sam 20:1 | "What have I done? what is mine iniquity...?" | David to Jonathan, expressing similar bewilderment over Saul's wrath. |
| Prov 16:7 | "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies..." | Righteous living can lead to peace, implying David's blamelessness. |
| Job 2:3 | "...hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none...without cause?" | God's affirmation of Job's blamelessness despite suffering. |
| Is 53:9 | "He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." | Prophetic depiction of the sinless Suffering Servant, Christ. |
| Jer 20:7 | "I am in derision daily; every one mocketh me." | A prophet lamenting his unjust suffering and mockery. |
| Lam 3:45 | "Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people." | Description of a persecuted people. |
| Dan 6:4-5 | "...could find none occasion nor fault...because he was faithful..." | Daniel's enemies seeking cause against him but finding none. |
| Mt 5:10 | "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake..." | Beatitude on those who suffer for justice/right behavior. |
| Lk 23:41 | "...this man hath done nothing amiss." | A robber's declaration of Christ's innocence at the cross. |
| Jn 15:25 | "They hated me without a cause." | Jesus' words echoing prophetic psalms about baseless hatred against Him. |
| Rom 12:19 | "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." | Instructs believers not to avenge themselves, implying God will handle injustices. |
| 1 Pet 3:14 | "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye..." | Encouragement to those who suffer for doing what is right. |
| Acts 24:16 | "...to have always a conscience void of offence..." | Paul's commitment to maintaining a clear conscience before God and men. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." | A timeless truth that godly living often leads to opposition. |
| 1 Pet 4:15-16 | "...suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed..." | Suffer for righteousness, not for wrongdoing. |
| Heb 11:36-38 | "And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings..." | Accounts of saints enduring various forms of persecution. |
| Gen 39:20 | "...put him into the prison...but the LORD was with Joseph..." | Joseph's unjust imprisonment despite his blamelessness. |
1 Samuel 26 verses
1 Samuel 26 18 Meaning
This verse captures David's direct and humble yet firm appeal to King Saul, questioning the rationale behind Saul's relentless pursuit. David asserts his complete innocence, rhetorically asking what specific wrong or evil deed he has committed that would warrant such an aggressive and unjust persecution. It highlights the profound injustice of Saul's actions, demonstrating David's clean conscience before his earthly sovereign and ultimately before God.
1 Samuel 26 18 Context
First Samuel chapter 26 is the second significant instance where David has the clear opportunity to take King Saul’s life but mercifully refrains. This episode unfolds in the wilderness of Ziph, where Saul, once again informed of David's whereabouts, has come with three thousand chosen men to seek him out. David and his companion Abishai venture secretly into Saul's encampment at night, finding Saul and his chief commander, Abner, asleep. Instead of striking Saul, Abishai, and then David take Saul's spear and water jug as proof of their presence and David's merciful intent. This bold act, taking objects vital for the king’s defense and refreshment, demonstrates to Saul his utter vulnerability and David's respect for the divine anointing on Saul’s life. David then calls out from a safe distance, initially rebuking Abner for failing to guard his king. It is within this profound demonstration of fidelity and self-restraint that David turns directly to Saul in verse 18, presenting his plea and questioning the king's persistent and unjustified animosity. This moment is a powerful reflection of David's character, highlighting his submission to God’s timing and his refusal to touch the Lord's anointed, even when he himself is unjustly persecuted.
1 Samuel 26 18 Word analysis
- And he said: Refers to David. This introduces David's verbal plea, transitioning from his action of sparing Saul to his reasoned argument.
- Wherefore: Hebrew lamah (לָמָּה), meaning "Why?" or "For what reason?". It is a pointed inquiry demanding justification. This signifies David's challenge to the foundation of Saul's persecution, asserting its lack of legitimate cause.
- doth my lord: David respectfully addresses Saul by his regal title ("my lord"), maintaining proper decorum despite Saul's irrational behavior. This highlights David's ongoing deference to Saul’s divinely instituted kingship.
- thus pursue after: Hebrew rādaph (רָדַף), "to chase," "to follow after," "to persecute." It emphasizes the relentless, unprovoked nature of Saul’s pursuit, aimed at taking David’s life.
- his servant?: David refers to himself as Saul's ebed (עֶבֶד), "servant." This term signifies his loyalty and submission, further underscoring the incongruity and injustice of a king pursuing a loyal subject with homicidal intent.
- for what have I done?: Hebrew mah asiti (מַה־עָשִׂיתִי), literally "what have I made/done?" This is a rhetorical question that powerfully conveys "I have done nothing wrong." It is a plea of innocence, challenging Saul to name a specific offense.
- or what evil: Hebrew mah-ra' (מַה־רָע), "what evil/calamity/wrong." David asks not just about a specific action, but about the very nature of any wrongdoing or wickedness he might be accused of.
- is in mine hand?: Hebrew b'yadi (בְּיָדִי), "in my hand." This is an idiom signifying possession, involvement, or responsibility for a deed. "Evil in my hand" implies that David is guilty of performing an evil act or has the power/intent to do evil. David's question unequivocally declares his blamelessness and clear conscience.
Words-group analysis
- "Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant?": This phrase acts as David's direct, respectful, yet profoundly challenging appeal to Saul's reason. It implicitly calls upon Saul to account for his actions against a loyal subject, contrasting Saul's destructive pursuit with David's posture of humble service. It exposes the unjust nature of the chase without challenging Saul's position.
- "for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?": These two parallel rhetorical questions function as David's unshakeable assertion of innocence. They demand an explanation from Saul for his irrational hatred and implicitly put the burden of proof on the king. They declare David’s conscience is clean, that he has committed no specific offense or held any wicked intention that could justify Saul’s persecution.
1 Samuel 26 18 Bonus section
This poignant question by David echoes the ancient legal practice of an accused individual challenging their accuser to state the crime. David’s innocence throughout these persecutions establishes him as a true king, walking in justice and mercy, contrasting sharply with Saul's degeneration. His conduct served as a testimony that ultimately led to Saul's temporary confession and prophetic pronouncements regarding David's destiny. This event also sets David apart as "a man after God's own heart," showing his reliance on God's vindication rather than human vengeance.
1 Samuel 26 18 Commentary
In 1 Samuel 26:18, David, having twice spared Saul's life, offers a final, direct plea to the king. His questions ("Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue... what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?") are rhetorical, highlighting the utter baselessness of Saul's pursuit. David respectfully acknowledges Saul's kingship ("my lord") while portraying himself as a loyal "servant." This humility, coupled with his resolute declaration of innocence, stands in stark contrast to Saul's raging paranoia and irrational desire for David’s death. David's hands were clean, both of actual evil and of revenge, embodying righteous suffering. His appeal here is to the king’s conscience and God's justice, emphasizing that his persecutor is without legitimate cause, foreshadowing the blameless suffering of Christ.