1 Samuel 26 19

1 Samuel 26:19 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 26:19 nkjv

Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'

1 Samuel 26:19 niv

Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have driven me today from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.'

1 Samuel 26:19 esv

Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.'

1 Samuel 26:19 nlt

But now let my lord the king listen to his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursed by the LORD. For they have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the LORD's people, and they have said, 'Go, worship pagan gods.'

1 Samuel 26 verses

1 Samuel 26 19 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 26:19, David appeals to King Saul, presenting two potential explanations for Saul's relentless pursuit: either the LORD Himself has provoked Saul against David, in which case propitiation through an offering is suggested, or human instigators are responsible, who David declares should be cursed before the LORD. David underscores the severe consequence of these actions, namely his being driven from the LORD's sacred inheritance, implying forced exile and the grave temptation to worship other gods.

1 Samuel 26 19 Context

1 Samuel chapter 26 is the second account of David sparing Saul's life (the first being chapter 24). Despite Saul's relentless pursuit, David demonstrates his respect for God's anointed king and trusts in divine justice, refusing to harm Saul himself. This verse (19) occurs during a dramatic confrontation after David, accompanied by Abishai, infiltrates Saul's camp at night and takes Saul's spear and water jug while Saul and his men are asleep. David then ascends a hill and calls out to Abner and Saul, exposing their failure to protect the king, thereby demonstrating his own non-violent intent and Saul's misplaced aggression. David's words here are a direct appeal, seeking to uncover the true source of Saul's irrational and deadly persecution, distinguishing between potential divine purpose and human maliciousness. The appeal serves as a defense, a lament, and a prophetic warning.

1 Samuel 26 19 Word analysis

• Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: This phrase marks a humble but firm plea. David, though hunted, speaks respectfully ("my lord the king") yet authoritatively ("words of his servant"), establishing his stance as a faithful, if persecuted, subordinate seeking justice and understanding from his sovereign. It underscores the profound paradox of the anointed servant pursuing the innocent anointed king.

• If the LORD (יהוה, YHWH) has stirred you up against me:

  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, indicating His personal involvement and sovereignty.
  • Stirred you up (סוּת, suth): This Hebrew verb means to instigate, incite, allure, or persuade. It implies a divine allowance or leading, rather than God directly compelling Saul's sin. It could signify that God has allowed this persecution as a trial for David, or perhaps as a judgment upon Saul for his unfaithfulness (1 Sam 16:14, evil spirit from the LORD). David considers the possibility that his suffering is part of God's larger, mysterious plan, not simply human malice. This challenges Saul to consider a theological reason for his actions.

• let Him accept an offering (מנחה, minchah):

  • Minchah: Typically refers to a grain offering or a tribute, a gift presented to a superior, often for reconciliation or appeasement. If God is behind Saul's actions, David suggests an offering is due. This acknowledges divine sovereignty and hints at seeking God's favor or mercy to cease the affliction, implying that perhaps Saul's persecution of David is due to some sin requiring atonement.

• but if it is men, cursed be they (ארר, arar) before the LORD:

  • If it is men: This contrasts with divine instigation, pointing to human malice, perhaps from Saul's courtiers (like Doeg the Edomite, 1 Sam 22:9-10) or flatterers who fuel Saul's paranoia.
  • Cursed be they (ארר, arar): A strong, solemn declaration invoking divine wrath or judgment upon the instigators. It’s an appeal for God to act against those who actively persecute the innocent and undermine His divine purposes. This emphasizes the gravity of human evil and false accusation.

• for they have driven me out (גרש, garash) this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD (נחלת יהוה, nachalat YHWH):

  • Driven me out (גרש, garash): This means to expel, to chase out, to divorce. It portrays a forceful expulsion from one's rightful place.
  • Inheritance of the LORD (נחלת יהוה, nachalat YHWH): Refers specifically to the land of Israel. For Israelites, the land was not merely territory but God's special possession, given to His covenant people, where His presence dwelt (the Tabernacle/Temple), and where true worship of YHWH could occur without foreign influences. Being driven from it was akin to being cut off from God's special care and covenant presence, a devastating spiritual exile.

• saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ This is the ultimate consequence and most severe accusation David levels against his human persecutors. It's not a literal command given by Saul's men, but the dire, inevitable implication of being forced out of the promised land. Outside Israel, one was constantly surrounded by polytheism, lacking the pure worship environment of YHWH. Being forced into pagan lands meant constant temptation and pressure to participate in idolatrous practices, essentially severing one from the worship of the one true God. David highlights that their persecution goes beyond physical harm; it directly threatens his spiritual fidelity to YHWH.

1 Samuel 26 19 Bonus section

• David's plea resonates with a deep lament, echoing the suffering of exiles who were cut off from temple worship and forced into pagan lands, as seen later in the Lamentations or Ezekiel. It underscores the profound theological significance of the land of Israel for a faithful Israelite, more than just geographical territory, it was where one truly lived in covenant with God.
• This verse provides a crucial perspective on the Old Testament concept of God "stirring up" individuals. It is often understood as God's permissive will, where He allows circumstances or even the evil impulses of men to come to fruition for His ultimate purposes, without Himself being the author of sin (cf. James 1:13-14). Saul's internal disposition was already volatile, and God's action may have been to remove divine restraint or allow him to follow his own sinful inclination to persecute David, fitting into God's plan to remove Saul and elevate David.
• David's refusal to simply retaliate, instead seeking reconciliation and clarity, highlights his trust in divine justice rather than human revenge. This pattern foreshadows a greater understanding of responding to persecution with spiritual wisdom, even appealing to the conscience of the oppressor, recognizing higher purposes at play.

1 Samuel 26 19 Commentary

David's appeal in 1 Samuel 26:19 is a deeply insightful and poignant moment, revealing his robust theological understanding even amidst persecution. He offers Saul two frameworks for understanding the king's actions: divine origin or human malice. By suggesting divine instigation, David does not accuse God of being evil, but acknowledges God's overarching sovereignty even over events that cause suffering, allowing for the possibility that his trials are part of God's plan. If so, an "offering" would be required—either a sacrifice from Saul to God, or an act of propitiation on David's behalf, suggesting a path to reconciliation and an end to the divine permission of his suffering.

However, David strongly suspects human instigation, pointing to the machinations of those around Saul. His pronouncement of a curse upon such men is not mere personal vendetta but a call for divine justice against those who wrongfully persecute God's chosen and impede His will. The heart of David's complaint is not just physical displacement, but spiritual estrangement: being driven from "the inheritance of the LORD," the land of Israel, the covenant dwelling where YHWH's worship flourished. For David, forced exile from this land means being alienated from the community of faith and implicitly being pressured into idolatry ("serve other gods"). This reveals how intrinsically tied the land, the people, and the worship of YHWH were for ancient Israelites. David underlines that Saul's persecution isn't just an earthly political dispute; it's a spiritual battle with devastating consequences for one's relationship with God, driving David into situations where he would be tempted to forsake the LORD.