1 Samuel 24:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David tells his men he will never raise his hand against Saul, because Saul is the LORD's anointed.
What Does 1 Samuel 24:6 Mean?
David answers the temptation aloud, naming Saul not 'my enemy' but 'my master, the LORD's anointed.' Twice he repeats that title. The king's office was sealed by God, and David refuses to take into his own hands what belongs to God to undo. 'The LORD forbid' — the very thought is unthinkable to him.
Reverence for what God has set apart overrules every grievance David could claim. He could justify the act a dozen ways, yet he will not touch the sacred. This is the obedience that trusts God to deal with God's own appointments in God's own time. It foreshadows the greater Anointed One, who likewise refused to grasp deliverance by force and entrusted Himself to the Father who judges righteously.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 24:6
What does 1 Samuel 24:6 mean?
David tells his men he will never raise his hand against Saul, because Saul is the LORD's anointed.