1 Samuel 26:23

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — David addresses Saul’s officers after retrieving the king’s spear and water jug from the camp. He explains that although Yahweh delivered the sleeping monarch into his hands, he refused to strike him.

The words — The text states the Hebrew יָשִׁ֣יב (ya.Shiv) means “he will return” or “repay,” directly linked to צִדְקָת֖וֹ (tzid.ka.T/o) “his righteousness” and אֱמֻנָת֑וֹ (e.mu.na.T/o) “his faithfulness.” The phrasing frames Saul’s survival as a measured divine transaction rather than a missed military advantage.

The thread — The verse’s repayment motif parallels Psalms 62:12 and 7:8, where Yahweh judges according to human deeds and integrity. David’s restraint echoes his earlier declaration in 1 Samuel 24:6 against harming the Lord’s anointed.

Why it lands — The passage declares that human actions toward God’s appointed leaders are subject to divine accounting, not personal ambition. It requires readers to accept God’s timing and restraint when opportunity for revenge or power presents itself.

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

וַֽיהוָה֙va./Yah.wehand/ Yahweh יָשִׁ֣יבya.Shivhe will return לָאִ֔ישׁla./'Ishto <the>/ everyone אֶת־'et-<obj.>צִדְקָת֖וֹtzid.ka.T/orighteousness/ his וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>אֱמֻנָת֑וֹ'e.mu.na.T/ofaithfulness/ his אֲשֶׁר֩'a.Sherthat נְתָנְךָ֨ne.ta.ne./Khahe gave/ you יְהוָ֤ה׀Yah.wehYahweh הַיּוֹם֙hai./yOmthis/ day בְּיָ֔דbe./Yadin/ a hand וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not אָבִ֔יתִי'a.Vi.tiI was willing לִשְׁלֹ֥חַli/sh.Lo.achto/ stretch out יָדִ֖יya.D/ihand/ my בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַbi/m.Shi.achon/ [the] [one] anointed of יְהוָֽה׃Yah.wehYahweh

King James Version

The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.

Cross-references

1 Samuel 24:6 So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
Psalms 62:12 and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.
Psalms 7:8 The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.
Psalms 18:20 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
1 Samuel 26:11 But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”
1 Kings 8:32 then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
Nehemiah 13:14 Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my deeds of loving devotion for the house of my God and for its services.