1 Samuel 26:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
יִֽשְׁמַֽע
hear
H8085
יִֽשְׁמַֽע
hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 32
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 32
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֲדֹנִ֣י
Now therefore I pray thee let my lord
H113
אֲדֹנִ֣י
Now therefore I pray thee let my lord
Strong's:
H113
Word #:
4 of 32
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 32
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
9 of 32
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הֱסִֽיתְךָ֥
have stirred thee up
H5496
הֱסִֽיתְךָ֥
have stirred thee up
Strong's:
H5496
Word #:
11 of 32
properly, to prick, i.e., (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce
יָרַ֣ח
against me let him accept
H7306
יָרַ֣ח
against me let him accept
Strong's:
H7306
Word #:
13 of 32
properly, to blow, i.e., breathe; only (literally) to smell or (by implication, perceive (figuratively, to anticipate, enjoy)
מִנְחָ֔ה
an offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֔ה
an offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
14 of 32
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
וְאִ֣ם׀
H518
וְאִ֣ם׀
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
15 of 32
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּנֵ֣י
but if they be the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
but if they be the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 32
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָֽאָדָ֗ם
of men
H120
הָֽאָדָ֗ם
of men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
17 of 32
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לִפְנֵ֣י
be they before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
be they before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 32
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
22 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גֵרְשׁ֣וּנִי
for they have driven
H1644
גֵרְשׁ֣וּנִי
for they have driven
Strong's:
H1644
Word #:
23 of 32
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
הַיּ֗וֹם
me out this day
H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם
me out this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
24 of 32
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מֵֽהִסְתַּפֵּ֜חַ
from abiding
H5596
מֵֽהִסְתַּפֵּ֜חַ
from abiding
Strong's:
H5596
Word #:
25 of 32
properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)
בְּנַֽחֲלַ֤ת
in the inheritance
H5159
בְּנַֽחֲלַ֤ת
in the inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
26 of 32
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
If the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
27 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֥ךְ
H1980
לֵ֥ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
29 of 32
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עֲבֹ֖ד
serve
H5647
עֲבֹ֖ד
serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
30 of 32
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
Cross References
2 Samuel 14:16For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.2 Samuel 16:11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.2 Samuel 20:19I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?Psalms 120:5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!1 Chronicles 21:1And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.Genesis 8:21And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.1 Samuel 18:10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.Isaiah 60:5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.Proverbs 30:10Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.Romans 14:15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religion was intensely territorial; each nation's gods were thought to rule their respective lands. David's concern about being driven from Israel's 'inheritance' (Hebrew: 'nachalah') reflects the fear that exile might compromise his relationship with YHWH, though he would later learn God's presence transcends geography.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual concerns arise when circumstances seem to force you from your place of worship and community?
- How do you maintain faith when persecution threatens to separate you from spiritual resources?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
David's theological analysis presents two possibilities for Saul's persecution: divine instigation requiring sacrifice, or human incitement deserving curse. The Hebrew structure reveals sophisticated reasoning about the sources of conflict. Most significantly, David protests being 'driven out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD' with the implication that exile forces him toward foreign gods. This concern for covenant faithfulness amid persecution reveals David's primary anxiety: spiritual, not physical.