“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.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Samuel 24:6 Mean?
David has Saul at his mercy in the cave and his men urge him to kill — but David says: "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." The refusal is total, theologically grounded, and repeated: twice David names Saul as the LORD's anointed.
The phrase "my master" (adoni — my lord, my sovereign) reveals that David still recognizes Saul's authority despite Saul's attempts to kill him. David doesn't let Saul's behavior toward him change David's behavior toward Saul. The relationship is governed by Saul's position (the LORD's anointed), not by Saul's conduct (attempted murder).
The double reference to anointing — "the LORD's anointed" appears twice in one verse — emphasizes that the anointing, not the person, is what David refuses to violate. Saul's character has deteriorated beyond recognition. But the anointing God placed on Saul hasn't been revoked by God, so David won't act as if it has.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does David's refusal to touch 'the LORD's anointed' model respect for God-given authority even when the authority figure is failing?
- 2.Where is your treatment of someone governed by their behavior toward you rather than their God-given position?
- 3.What does the double naming ('the LORD's anointed' twice) teach about reinforcing convictions under pressure?
- 4.When has honoring God's placement of authority cost you an opportunity for advancement?
Devotional
"He is the LORD's anointed." David says it twice because once isn't enough. The man trying to kill him is still God's anointed king. And David refuses to touch what God put in place — no matter what that anointed person has done to him.
David's men see opportunity. Kill Saul now and the running ends. Take the throne and start the kingdom. The logic is impeccable: Saul is trying to kill David. David has been anointed as Saul's replacement. Saul is asleep and vulnerable. What could be more clearly God's provision than this?
And David says no. Because the anointing matters more than the opportunity. What God placed on Saul, David won't remove. Even though Saul is using the anointing to pursue a murderous agenda. Even though David has every human justification for ending the threat. The anointing — God's decision about who holds authority — is not David's to override.
This restraint is the most countercultural thing David does in the entire narrative. In a world where power is seized, where thrones are taken by force, where vulnerability in an enemy is an invitation to strike — David honors God's decision above his own safety. He values the anointing more than the throne. He respects God's placement more than his own survival.
The double naming — "the LORD's anointed... the LORD's anointed" — is David reminding himself as much as his men. The temptation is real. The cave is dark. The opportunity won't come again. And David preaches his own sermon: he is the LORD's anointed. Twice. Because some convictions need to be stated out loud to hold against the pressure of the moment.
What anointing are you tempted to violate because the person who carries it has treated you unjustly?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And he said unto his men,.... When he returned and brought the skirt of Saul's garment in his hand; or else he said this…
The Lord's anointed - However unworthily Saul was now acting, he had been appointed to his high office by God himself,…
Here, I. Saul renews his pursuit of David, Sa1 24:1, Sa1 24:2. No sooner had he come home safely from chasing the…
David spares Saul's life in the cave at En-gedi
This narrative and that in ch. 26 are regarded by some commentators as…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture