A short Insight into SHMUEL 1, Chapter 26 By Rabbi Nisson Dov Miller

In our chapter, David and Avishai approach Shaul and his camp as they sleep. Avishai proposes to kill Shaul with his spear. David refuses. He states (verses 9-10), “Who can send forth his hand against the anointed one of Hashem and be absolved?” Subsequently, David swears , “As Hashem lives, Hashem will strike illness, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go forth into battle and perish. It would be sacrilegious before Hashem for me to send forth my hand against Hashem's anointed one.” The Degel Machane Epfraim understands why David was emphatic in response to Avishai's proposal to kill Shaul. However, he wonders what prompted David to swear to emphasize his response to Avishai?