1 Samuel 26:9
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ
Destroy
H7843
תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ
Destroy
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
6 of 13
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
8 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
שָׁלַ֥ח
him not for who can stretch forth
H7971
שָׁלַ֥ח
him not for who can stretch forth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יָד֛וֹ
his hand
H3027
יָד֛וֹ
his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 13
a 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
בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ
anointed
H4899
בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ
anointed
Strong's:
H4899
Word #:
11 of 13
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
Cross References
2 Samuel 1:14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?Psalms 105:15Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.2 Samuel 1:16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.
Historical Context
Anointing with oil was the ritual that formally inducted Israelite kings into office, marking them as God's chosen representatives. This sacred act created an inviolable status that only God Himself could revoke. David's respect for this office, despite Saul's unworthiness, models submission to divine ordering of society.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain respect for God-ordained positions even when the people in them fail?
- What does David's restraint teach about the limits of human judgment in removing those in authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David's restraint crystallizes one of Scripture's most important principles regarding authority: the anointed of the LORD must not be destroyed by human hands. The Hebrew 'mashiach YHWH' (the LORD's anointed) establishes a category of sacred protection that transcends personal grievance. David's rhetorical question 'who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?' establishes a precedent that extends beyond this moment to any who would usurp divine prerogatives in removing those God has placed in authority.