1 Samuel 26:10 Meaning and Explanation
“David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David declares that the Lord Himself will deal with Saul, whether by His hand, by death's appointed day, or in battle.
What Does 1 Samuel 26:10 Mean?
David presses further with an oath, As the LORD liveth, naming three ways Saul might fall: by God's direct stroke, by the natural arrival of his day, or in the perils of war. Each leaves the matter wholly with God.
David refuses to force the outcome he could so easily seize. He believes that the Lord governs every life and death, and that what is owed will be repaid in God's own time and way. To leave vengeance to God is not weakness but a deep confidence that He sees all and will not fail to act justly, freeing us from the corrosive burden of avenging ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 26:10
What does 1 Samuel 26:10 mean?
David declares that the Lord Himself will deal with Saul, whether by His hand, by death's appointed day, or in battle.