1 Samuel 26:15
And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
Original Language Analysis
הֲלוֹא
H3808
הֲלוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִ֣ישׁ
Art not thou a valiant man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
Art not thou a valiant man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 24
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וּמִ֤י
H4310
וּמִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
8 of 24
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
and who is like to thee in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
and who is like to thee in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלָ֙מָּה֙
H4100
וְלָ֙מָּה֙
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ
wherefore then hast thou not kept
H8104
שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ
wherefore then hast thou not kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָא֙
for there came
H935
בָא֙
for there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
18 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְהַשְׁחִ֖ית
in to destroy
H7843
לְהַשְׁחִ֖ית
in to destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
21 of 24
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Warriors in the ancient Near East derived significant social status from their martial reputation. David's public questioning of Abner's competence before the army would have been deeply humiliating, attacking the very foundation of his identity and honor.
Questions for Reflection
- When has your reputation exceeded your actual performance in some area of life?
- How do you respond to correction that exposes gaps between your self-image and reality?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
David's rhetorical assault on Abner intensifies, sarcastically praising his reputation ('Art not thou a valiant man?') while exposing his actual failure. The revelation that 'one of the people' (David himself, though unnamed) entered to destroy the king exposes the catastrophic lapse in security. David's pointed question highlights the disconnect between Abner's reputation and his performance, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture when human pride fails to match God's standards.