1 Samuel 26:14
New International Version
He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer me, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

New Living Translation
Then he shouted down to the soldiers and to Abner son of Ner, “Wake up, Abner!” “Who is it?” Abner demanded.

English Standard Version
And David called to the army, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

Berean Standard Bible
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”

New American Standard Bible
And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

NASB 1995
David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

NASB 1977
And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered and said, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

Amplified Bible
David called to the army and to Abner the son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls [and disturbs] the king?”

Christian Standard Bible
Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner? ” “Who are you who calls to the king? ” Abner asked.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner: “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner asked.

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
"Abner!" David shouted toward Saul's army. "Can you hear me?" Abner shouted back. "Who dares disturb the king?"

English Revised Version
and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saving, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then David called to the troops and to Ner's son Abner. "Won't you answer, Abner?" he asked. "Who is calling the king?" Abner asked.

Good News Translation
and shouted to Saul's troops and to Abner, "Abner! Can you hear me?" "Who is that shouting and waking up the king?" Abner asked.

International Standard Version
David called out to the army and to Ner's son Abner, "Abner, won't you answer me?" Abner answered: "Who are you who calls out to the king?"

NET Bible
David called to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Won't you answer, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who are you, that you have called to the king?"

New Heart English Bible
And David called to the people, and to Abner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner replied, "Who are you that calls?"

Webster's Bible Translation
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?
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.

World English Bible
and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David calls to the people, and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?” And Abner answers and says, “Who [are] you [who] have called to the king?”

Young's Literal Translation
and David calleth unto the people, and unto Abner son of Ner, saying, 'Dost thou not answer, Abner?' and Abner answereth and saith, 'Who art thou who hast called unto the king?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will call to the people and to Abner son of Ner, saying, Wilt thou not answer Abner? and Abner will answer and say, Who thou calling to the king?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying: Wilt thou not answer, Abner? And Abner answering, said: Who art thou, that criest, and disturbest the king?

Catholic Public Domain Version
David cried out to the people, and to Abner, the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not respond, Abner?” And responding, Abner said, “Who are you, that you would cry out and disquiet the king?”

New American Bible
David called to the army and to Abner, son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner shouted back, “Who is it that calls me?”

New Revised Standard Version
David called to the army and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Abner! Will you not answer?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you that calls to the king?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David called to the king and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Will you not answer, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you that calls to the king?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David called to the King and to Abnir, son of Nir, and said: “Do you not answer, Abnir?” and Abnir answered and said: “Who are you that you call to the King?”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David called to the people, and spoke to Abenner, saying, Wilt thou not answer, Abenner? and Abenner answered and said, Who art thou that callest?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Reproves Abner
13Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them. 14And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who calls to the king?” Abner replied. 15So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?…

Cross References
1 Samuel 17:26
David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

1 Samuel 17:29
“What have I done now?” said David. “Was it not just a question?”

1 Samuel 24:8
After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence

1 Samuel 17:45
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 20:32
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”

1 Samuel 24:11
See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

1 Samuel 17:51
David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

1 Samuel 25:24
She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.

1 Samuel 17:55
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

1 Samuel 18:7
And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Samuel 19:5
He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”

1 Samuel 20:8
Therefore show kindness to your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the LORD. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?”

1 Samuel 25:28
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.

1 Samuel 18:14
and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him.

1 Samuel 19:4
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you.


Treasury of Scripture

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answer you not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you that cry to the king?

there came

1 Samuel 26:8
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

Jump to Previous
Abner Army Calls Cried Cries Criest Crying David Ner
Jump to Next
Abner Army Calls Cried Cries Criest Crying David Ner
1 Samuel 26
1. Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David
4. David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul,
11. but takes his spear and jug
13. David reproves Abner
17. and exhorts Saul
21. Saul acknowledges his sin














And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner
David, though anointed as the future king, is still on the run from Saul. This scene takes place in the Wilderness of Ziph, a region known for its rugged terrain, which provided David with strategic hiding places. David's shout signifies his boldness and confidence, even when facing the king's army. Abner, the son of Ner, is Saul's cousin and the commander of his army, highlighting the close-knit nature of Saul's inner circle. This moment underscores the tension between David and Saul's forces, as David directly addresses the military leader.

“Will you not answer me, Abner?”
David's question is a challenge to Abner's vigilance and loyalty. By addressing Abner directly, David is questioning the competence of Saul's military leadership. This reflects the broader theme of divine protection over David, as he is able to infiltrate the camp undetected. The question also serves to highlight Abner's failure to protect the king, which is a significant breach of duty in the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel.

“Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.
Abner's response indicates surprise and perhaps embarrassment at being caught off guard. His question reflects the hierarchical structure of the time, where addressing the king required authority or permission. This exchange foreshadows the eventual transfer of power from Saul to David, as it demonstrates David's growing influence and the weakening of Saul's reign. The interaction also points to the theme of recognition, as David is not yet fully acknowledged as the rightful king, despite his anointing by Samuel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by God, who is currently being pursued by King Saul. David is known for his faithfulness to God and his respect for God's anointed king, Saul, despite Saul's attempts to kill him.

2. Abner son of Ner
The commander of Saul's army and a loyal supporter of King Saul. Abner is responsible for the king's safety and is called out by David for failing in his duty.

3. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. Saul is in pursuit of David, whom he sees as a threat to his throne.

4. The Wilderness of Ziph
The location where this event takes place. It is a desert area in Judah where David often hides from Saul.

5. The Troops
Refers to the soldiers of King Saul who are encamped with him. They are part of the pursuit to capture David.
Teaching Points
Respect for Authority
David's interaction with Abner and Saul shows his respect for God-ordained authority, even when that authority is unjust. Christians are called to respect and pray for their leaders.

Courage and Wisdom
David demonstrates courage by confronting Abner and wisdom by not attacking Saul. Believers should seek God's wisdom in dealing with difficult situations.

Accountability
David holds Abner accountable for his failure to protect Saul. In our lives, we should hold each other accountable in love and truth.

God's Sovereignty
Despite being pursued, David trusts in God's plan and timing. We are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty over our circumstances.

Peacemaking
David's actions reflect a heart of peace, seeking reconciliation rather than revenge. Christians are called to be peacemakers in their relationships.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 26:14?

2. How does 1 Samuel 26:14 demonstrate David's respect for God's anointed king?

3. What can we learn about confronting authority from David's actions in this chapter?

4. How does David's restraint in 1 Samuel 26:14 connect to Matthew 5:44?

5. In what ways can we practice patience and trust like David did here?

6. How does David's approach in 1 Samuel 26:14 reflect Christ's teachings on love?

7. Why did David call out to Abner instead of Saul in 1 Samuel 26:14?

8. What does 1 Samuel 26:14 reveal about David's respect for God's anointed?

9. How does 1 Samuel 26:14 demonstrate David's leadership qualities?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26?

11. Who was high priest when David went into the House of GOD and ate the consecrated bread? Abiathar (Mark 2:26) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20)

12. If 1 Samuel 23:14 places David in uncharted wilderness strongholds, why is there little or no archaeological trace of these specific hideouts today?

13. Who was high priest when David ate the showbread? (Mark 2:26 vs. 1 Samuel 21:1)

14. Why did Abner, responsible for guarding Saul, face no immediate consequences for failing to protect the king? (1 Samuel 26:15-16)
What Does 1 Samuel 26:14 Mean
And David shouted to the troops

• David positions himself on a nearby hill in the night (1 Samuel 26:13) and raises his voice so the whole encampment hears.

• His public call exposes Saul’s forces for failing to guard their king, echoing earlier moments when God used a loud cry to bring truth into the open (Jud 7:20-21; 1 Kings 18:37).

• By confronting the entire army, David shows fearless leadership similar to his stand before Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47).


and to Abner son of Ner

• Abner is Saul’s cousin and commander (1 Samuel 14:50-51), responsible for royal security.

• Addressing Abner directly underlines personal accountability; David respects Saul’s office (1 Samuel 24:6) yet exposes the negligence of the man charged to protect him, paralleling Nathan’s later direct rebuke of David himself (2 Samuel 12:7).

• The scene models the biblical principle that leaders answer for their stewardship (Ezekiel 33:6; Hebrews 13:17).


“Will you not answer me, Abner?”

• The question highlights Abner’s silence and failure, reminiscent of Elijah’s taunt to the mute prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27).

• David’s call implies Abner should have stayed vigilant (Psalm 127:1; Mark 14:37-38).

• It also sets the stage for demonstrating David’s righteousness—he spared Saul again (1 Samuel 26:23-24).


“Who are you who calls to the king?”

• Abner’s counter-question shows he cannot even identify the speaker in the dark, underscoring his lax watch (1 Samuel 26:15-16).

• The phrase “the king” points to Saul’s royal dignity, which David consistently honors (1 Samuel 24:10; Romans 13:1-2), even while exposing Abner’s lapse.

• Abner’s surprise mirrors the guards’ bewilderment in the garden when Jesus speaks and they draw back (John 18:4-6), spotlighting authority in the one addressing them.


Abner replied

• His delayed response contrasts with David’s immediate, courageous address, marking the difference between fleshly complacency and faith-driven alertness (Proverbs 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

• The dialogue will soon reveal the spear and water jug taken from Saul (1 Samuel 26:16), confirming Abner’s failure and David’s integrity, just as God often validates His servants through clear evidence (Exodus 4:5; Acts 4:14).


summary

1 Samuel 26:14 shows David publicly confronting Saul’s forces and their commander, Abner, for neglecting their duty to guard God’s anointed king. David’s bold yet respectful challenge exposes failure, affirms rightful authority, and demonstrates his own righteousness. The verse teaches accountability in leadership, vigilance in duty, and the power of truth spoken openly before God and man.

(14) Who art thou that criest to the king?--The Vulg. rightly interprets with "Who art thou that criest and disquietest the king?" that is, disturbs the king's rest with your shouting.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And David
דָוִ֜ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

shouted
וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the troops
הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and to
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Abner
אַבְנֵ֤ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Ner,
נֵר֙ (nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5369: Ner -- father of Abner, also the father of Kish

“Aren’t
הֲל֥וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

you going to answer me,
תַעֲנֶ֖ה (ṯa·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

Abner?”
אַבְנֵ֑ר (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

“Who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

calls
קָרָ֥אתָ (qā·rā·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the king?”
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Abner
אַבְנֵר֙ (’aḇ·nêr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 74: Abner -- 'my father is a lamp', an Israelite name

replied.
וַיַּ֤עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond


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OT History: 1 Samuel 26:14 And David cried to the people (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 26:13
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