2 Samuel 1:14

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy Jehovah’s anointed?

Bible in Basic English

And David said to him, Had you no fear of stretching out your hand to put to death the one marked with the holy oil?

Douay-Rheims 1899

David said to him: Why didst thou not fear to put out thy hand to kill the Lord’s anointed?

Free Bible Version

“Why weren't you worried about killing the Lord's anointed one?” David asked.

Geneva Bible 1599

And Dauid said vnto him, How wast thou not afrayd, to put forth thine hand to destroy the Anoynted of the Lord?

King James (Authorized) Version

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

Translation for Translators

David asked him, “◄Why were you not afraid that you would be punished if you killed Saul, whom Yahweh had appointed [MTY] to be the king?/You should have been afraid that you would be punished if you killed Saul, whom Yahweh had appointed [MTY] to be the king.► [RHQ]

Unlocked Literal Bible

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?”

Noah Webster Bible

And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?

World English Bible

David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy Yahweh’s anointed?”

Young's Literal Translation

And David saith unto him, 'How wast thou not afraid to put forth thy hand to destroy the anointed of Jehovah?'

Context

Saul’s Death Reported to David

¹³And David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of a foreigner,” he answered. “I am an Amalekite.”¹⁴So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?”¹⁵Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died.

Summary

In this verse, David questions the young Amalekite who claimed to have killed King Saul, showing respect for the anointed king of Israel. David's response reveals his reverence for God's chosen leader and his commitment to honor and protect the royal line. Despite the conflict between David and Saul, David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan, displaying a deep sense of loss and grief for the fallen king and his son. This verse reflects David's integrity and loyalty, as well as his understanding of the importance of respecting authority and the anointing of God's chosen rulers.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And David said unto him, how, wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand,.... By which it should seem that he did more than stand upon him, and press his body, that the spear might pierce through him, but that he drew his sword, and slew him; so David understood him, and is the sense of the phrase in Sa1 17:51, to destroy the Lord's anointed? a reason why David did not destroy him, when it was in the power of his hands, and which he made use of to dissuade others from it; and here charges it not only as a criminal, but a daring action in this young man, at which he expresses his admiration how he could do it; hereby representing it as a very shocking and detestable action; see Sa1 24:6.