Bible Strands
1 Samuel 26:21
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Saul speaks to David immediately after David spares his life and returns his spear, marking a moment of temporary concession following David’s refusal to retaliate.
The words — חָטָאתִי (cha.Ta.ti) translates literally to “I have sinned,” and שׁוּב (shuv) issues the command “return” or “come back,” structuring Saul’s admission around his directive to David.
The thread — The pattern of royal confession appears in 1 Samuel 15:24 where Saul admits transgression to Samuel, 1 Samuel 24:17 where Saul acknowledges David’s righteousness, and Exodus 9:27 where Pharaoh declares his sin.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to acknowledge that confessing wrongdoing and halting pursuit are the direct responses to demonstrated mercy, while noting that verbal admission does not guarantee behavioral consistency.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
- 1 Samuel 24:17 and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
- Exodus 9:27 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
- 1 Samuel 15:30 “I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
- Matthew 27:4 “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Numbers 22:34 “I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”
- 1 Samuel 18:30 Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.
- 1 Samuel 26:24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and rescue me from all trouble.”
- 1 Samuel 27:4 And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
- Psalms 49:8 For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,