1 Samuel 24 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

1 Samuel 24

David Spares Saul’s Life

24:1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself.¹ Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you.² I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! 15 May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Footnotes

[1] 24:3 Hebrew cover his feet
[2] 24:10 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew it [my eye] spared you

Commentary

v1-2: The skirmish against the Philistines was a diversion from Saul's main task of pursuing David. How sad that he should be so committed to such a task. Again, David was betrayed, this time by the people of En-Gedi.

v3-4: There was, for the first time, an opportunity for David to kill Saul. This incident demonstrates the character of David, his sensitive conscience, his humility, his respect for God's anointed.

David's men spoke of God speaking about delivering David's enemy into his hands. The NIV marginal reading seems more helpful; "Today the Lord is saying, 'I will give your enemy...'" David tested this statement against the principles of God's word.

v5-7: David was conscience stricken even by cutting off the corner of Saul's robe. This would indicate to Saul that David could have killed him.

David acknowledged Saul's anointing, for God had called him to be king, even though he had departed from the Lord. This principle guided David. Where opportunities and circumstances indicate one course of action, we are still obliged to follow the principles of God's word.

David also had to deal with his men, who were keen to have Saul killed. His words were clear, and he rebuked his men, and expected them to live by the same principles.

v8-10: "My lord the king!" David showed respect for Saul; such was his graciousness toward the man who was trying to kill him. David was content to wait for God's time, for God had promised the throne, and His word would be fulfilled. He would not manipulate the circumstances by killing Saul, even though he would have become king as a result.

v11-13: The corner of Saul's robe was evidence of David's innocence, and Saul and his men knew it. David stated his promise, "my hand will not touch you". Unlike Saul, David was a man of his word.

v14-15: 'Don't waste your time' said David, "Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?" He insists that he is not worth pursuing, see also 18.23. In a world that pursues reputation, David wanted none. All he wanted was the Lord's blessing and vindication.

v16-21: Saul's words show some regret and sorrow. He acknowledged that David had not retaliated, and had not killed Saul when he had opportunity. He also asked David to care for his family after his death, in a request echoing that of Jonathan (20.15)..

v22: David, still full of grace, gave his promise to Saul, and returned to the strongholds of Judah.