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Read the Bible

King James Version

1 Samuel 26:16

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord 's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Citizens;   Loyalty;   Pillow;   Self-Control;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Saul, king of israel;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bolster;   Cruse;   Hachilah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Cruse;   King;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Bolster;   Cruse;   Jug;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bolster;   David;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Abner ;   Anointed, the;   Cruse;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Cruse,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Commerce;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bolster;   Cruse;   Master;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Drinking-Vessels;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
What you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you deserve to die since you didn’t protect your lord, the Lord’s anointed. Now look around; where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”
Hebrew Names Version
This thing isn't good that you have done. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD's anointed. Now see where the king's spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.
Lexham English Bible
This thing that you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, surely you people deserve to die since you have not kept watch over your lord, over Yahweh's anointed one! So then, see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was near his head!"
English Standard Version
This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord 's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head."
New Century Version
You have not done well. As surely as the Lord lives, you and your men should die. You haven't guarded your master, the Lord 's appointed king. Look! Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?"
New English Translation
This failure on your part isn't good! As surely as the Lord lives, you people who have not protected your lord, the Lord 's chosen one, are as good as dead! Now look where the king's spear and the jug of water that was by his head are!"
Amplified Bible
"This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you surely deserve to die, because you have not guarded your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head."
New American Standard Bible
"This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, all of you undoubtedly must die, because you did not guard your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was at his head!"
Geneva Bible (1587)
This is not well done of thee: as the Lord liueth, ye are worthy to dye, because ye haue not kept your master the Lordes Anointed: and now see where the Kings speare is, and the pot of water that was at his head.
Legacy Standard Bible
This thing that you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, all of you must surely die because you did not keep watch over your lord, the anointed of Yahweh. So now, see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was at his head."
Contemporary English Version
You're a complete failure! I swear by the living Lord that you and your men deserve to die for not protecting the Lord 's chosen king. Look and see if you can find the king's spear and the water jar that were near his head."
Complete Jewish Bible
It's not good, what you've done! As Adonai lives, you deserve to die; because you didn't keep watch over your lord, Adonai 's anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was next to his head!"
Darby Translation
This thing is not good which thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not guarded your master, Jehovah's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
Easy-to-Read Version
You made a big mistake. As surely as the Lord is alive, you and your men should die, because you didn't protect your master, the Lord 's chosen king. Look for the king's spear and the water jug that was near Saul's head. Where are they?"
George Lamsa Translation
This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORDS anointed. And now see where the kings spear is, and the jug of water that was at his bedside.
Good News Translation
You failed in your duty, Abner! I swear by the living Lord that all of you deserve to die, because you have not protected your master, whom the Lord made king. Look! Where is the king's spear? Where is the water jar that was right by his head?"
Literal Translation
This thing which you have done is not good. As Jehovah lives, you also are sons of death, in that you have not watched over your lord, over the anointed of Jehovah. And now, see where theking's spear is, and the jar of water which
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
It is not well that thou hast done. As truly as the LORDE lyueth ye are the children of death, because ye haue not kepte youre lorde the LORDES anoynted. Beholde now, where is ye kynges speare, and the cuppe of water that was at his heade.
American Standard Version
This thing is not good that thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, Jehovah's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
Bible in Basic English
What you have done is not good. By the living Lord, death is the right fate for you, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the man on whom the Lord has put the holy oil. Now see, where is the king's spear, and the vessel of water which was by his head?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
It is not well done of thee: As the Lorde lyueth, ye are worthy to dye, because ye haue not kept the Lordes annoynted: And nowe see where the kinges speare is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye deserve to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see, where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.'
King James Version (1611)
This thing is not good that thou hast done: as the Lord liueth, ye are worthy to die, because yee haue not kept your master the Lords Anointed: and now see where the Kings speare is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And this thing is not good which thou hast done. As the Lord lives, ye are worthy of death, ye who guard your lord the king, the anointed of the Lord: and now behold, I pray you, the spear of the king, and the cruse of water: where are the articles that should be at his head?
English Revised Version
This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’S anointed. And now, see, where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
Berean Standard Bible
This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD's anointed. Now look around. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were by his head?"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
this that thou hast doon, is not good; the Lord lyueth, for ye ben sones of deeth, that kepten not youre lord, the crist of the Lord. Now therfor se thou, where is the spere of the kyng, and where is the cuppe of watir, that weren at his heed.
Young's Literal Translation
Not good is this thing which thou hast done; Jehovah liveth, but ye [are] sons of death, in that ye have not watched over your lord, over the anointed of Jehovah; and now, see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water which [is] at his bolster.'
Update Bible Version
This thing is not good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because you haven't kept watch over your lord, Yahweh's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
Webster's Bible Translation
This thing [is] not good that thou hast done. [As] the LORD liveth, [ye are] worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water that [was] at his bolster.
World English Bible
This thing isn't good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, Yahweh's anointed. Now see where the king's spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.
New King James Version
This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head."
New Living Translation
This isn't good at all! I swear by the Lord that you and your men deserve to die, because you failed to protect your master, the Lord 's anointed! Look around! Where are the king's spear and the jug of water that were beside his head?"
New Life Bible
This thing you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you must die for sure. Because you did not watch over your lord, the Lord's chosen one. Now see where the king's spear is, and the bottle of water that was beside his head."
New Revised Standard
This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord 's anointed. See now, where is the king's spear, or the water jar that was at his head?"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Not good, is this thing which thou hast done, by the life of Yahweh, verily, worthy of death, ye are, in that ye have not kept watch over your lord, over, the Anointed of Yahweh. Now, therefore, see where the spear of the king is, and the cruse of water, that was at his head?
Douay-Rheims Bible
This thing is not good, that thou hast done: as the Lord liveth, you are the sons of death, who have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now where is the king’s spear, and the cup of water, which was at his head?
Revised Standard Version
This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, all of you must surely die, because you did not guard your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was at his head."

Contextual Overview

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them: 14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king? 15 And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. 16 This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord 's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. 17 And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 18 And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? 19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord ; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord , saying, Go, serve other gods. 20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord : for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

worthy to die: Heb. the sons of death, 1 Samuel 20:31, 2 Samuel 12:5, 2 Samuel 19:28, Psalms 79:11, Psalms 102:20, *marg. Ephesians 2:3

Lord's: 1 Samuel 26:9, 1 Samuel 26:11, 1 Samuel 24:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 21:22 - General 1 Kings 2:26 - worthy of death Lamentations 4:20 - the anointed Matthew 26:40 - What

Cross-References

Exodus 1:9
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

This thing [is] not good that thou hast done,.... Yea, it was very bad, a great fault, and very blameworthy, if he had neglected to set a watch over the king, whose business it was as a general; the words are expressed in a figure called "meiosis", in which less is said than was intended:

[as] the Lord liveth, ye [are] worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed; if a watch was set, and these had fallen asleep, and neglected their duty, or had deserted their post; which to do was a capital crime, and deserving of death; wherefore he does not say this of Abner, but of the watch:

and now see where the king's spear [is], and the cruse of water that [was] at his bolster; which he then held up as proofs and evidences of the truth of what be said, that one had been in the camp and had carried off these, and who could as easily have destroyed the king as to have taken these away; and as he came hither with an intent to destroy him, would have done it, had he not been prevented by David; all which likewise plainly proved the negligence of Abner, in not setting a watch about his master, or the negligence of the watch that was set.


 
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