1 Samuel 26 · a question people ask
Saul says "I have sinned" again (26:21). Did he mean it this time?
It is the third time 1 Samuel gives Saul these words. Twice he said them to Samuel (15:24, 15:30), and chapter 15's honest question sets out how Christians read those. Here he says them to David: "I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly" (26:21) (tap sinned and played the fool). The chapter doesn't say what was in his heart, and Christians read his words in two main ways. Both agree on what the chapter says happened next: "So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place" (26:25).
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
Words that didn't hold
Those who read it this way look at what came before. After the cave, Saul had said, "You are more righteous than I" (24:17), and "may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today" (24:19). Two chapters later he is out again with "three thousand chosen men of Israel" (26:2), to seek David. David's answer is to keep his distance: he asks Saul to send one of the young men for the spear (26:22), and in the next chapter he says in his heart, "I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul" (27:1).
1 Samuel 24:17 · 1 Samuel 24:19 · 1 Samuel 26:2 · 1 Samuel 26:22 · 1 Samuel 27:1
A true word, spoken that day
Those who read it this way take Saul at his word. He names what he did three ways, "I have sinned… I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly" (26:21) (tap erred), and he gives the reason he says it: "because my life was precious in your eyes today" (26:21). His last words in the chapter bless David: "You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail" (26:25). On this reading Saul meant what he said when he said it, whatever came after.
1 Samuel 26:21 · 1 Samuel 26:25
The verses
“Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”
“Then he said, “I have sinned; yet please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and come back with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.””
“Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.””
“Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will both do mightily, and will surely prevail.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.”