David said to Abishai, Don't destroy him; for who can put forth his hand against Yahweh's anointed, and be guiltless?
David believed, however, that since God had anointed Saul it was not his place to do him harm (1 Samuel 26:9; cf. 1 Samuel 24:6-7). His reply to Abishai begins (1 Samuel 26:9) and ends (1 Samuel 26:11) with the reason David would not permit Abishai to kill Saul: he was the Lord’s anointed. In the middle of this reply, David mentioned alternative ways by which God might terminate Saul’s life (1 Samuel 26:10). He might die from some physical affliction, as Nabal had (cf. 1 Samuel 25:38), or of natural causes, or in battle (cf. ch. 31). David reminded Abishai that God could deal with Saul without their help.