1 Samuel24
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 from the , he was , , is in the of .
2 Then out of and to and his in of the ’ .
3 And he to the by the , where there was a , and to . Now and his were in the of the .
4 And the of to him, Here is the of which the Lord to you, , I will your into your , and you shall to him as it shall seem to . Then and a of .
5 And him, because he had a of robe.
6 He to his , The Lord that I should this to my , the Lord ’s , to my against him, seeing he is the Lord ’s .
7 So his with these and did not them to . And and left the and on his .
8 also and of the , and , My the ! And when him, with his to the and .
9 And to , do you to the of who , , your ?
10 , this your have how the Lord you into my in the . And some me to you, but I you. I , I will not out my against my , for he is the Lord ’s .
11 , my , the of your in my . For by the fact that I off the of your and did not you, you may and that there is no or in my . I have not against you, though you my to it.
12 May the Lord me and you, may the Lord me against you, but my shall not be against you.
13 As the of the , Out of the . But my shall not be against you.
14 has the of out? do you ? a ! !
15 May the Lord therefore be and between me and you, and to it and my and me from your .
16 As soon as had to , , Is this your , my ? And his and .
17 He to , You are more than I, for you have me , whereas I have you .
18 And you have this how you have with me, in that you did me when the Lord me into your .
19 For a his , will he let him ? So may the Lord you with for you have to me this .
20 And , , I that you shall be , and that the of shall be in your .
21 to me by the Lord that you will my me, and that you will not my out of my .
22 And this to . Then , but and his to the .
Study
1 Samuel 24Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 24. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David spares Saul's life. (1–7). David shows his innocence. (8–15). Saul acknowledges his fault. (16–22).
vv1-7
God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul any hurt. Sin is a thing which it becomes us to startle at, and to resist temptations thereto. He not only would not do this bad thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it. Thus he rendered good for evil, to him from whom he received evil for good; and was herein an example to all who are called Christians, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good.
vv8-15
David was falsely charged with seeking Saul's hurt; he shows Saul that God's providence had given him opportunity to do it. And it was upon a good principle that he refused to do it. He declares his fixed resolution never to be his own avenger. If men wrong us, God will right us, at farthest, in the judgment of the great day.
vv16-22
Saul speaks as quite overcome with David's kindness. Many mourn for their sins, who do not truly repent of them; weep bitterly for them, yet continue in love and in league with them. Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the light, Ps 37:6. Those who take care to keep a good conscience, may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. Sooner or later, God will force even those who are of the synagogue of Satan to know and to own those whom he has loved. They parted in peace. Saul went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of his envy to David, yet retaining in his breast that root of bitterness; vexed that when at last he had found David, he could not find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. Malice often seems dead when it is only asleep, and will revive with double force. Yet, whether the Lord bind men's hands, or affect their hearts, so that they do not hurt us, the deliverance is equally from him; it is an evidence of his love, and an earnest of our salvation, and should make us thankful.
Key Words
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
שָׁאוּל: Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
אַחַר: properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
פְּלִשְׁתִּי: a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
הִנֵּה: lo!
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
מִדְבָּר: a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs)
עֵין גֶּדִי: En-Gedi, a place in Palestine
לָקַח: to take (in the widest variety of applications)
Cross References
1 Samuel 24David's repeated refusal to stretch forth his hand against Saul because he is the Lord's anointed.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
David refrains from vengeance, exemplifying overcoming evil with good and leaving vengeance to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identical Hebrew idiom 'cover his feet' used for relieving oneself or resting in a chamber.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jonathan previously acknowledged David's future kingship, which Saul now explicitly concedes.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Saul's plea for his descendants echoes Jonathan's earlier covenant with David.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The psalm composed by David specifically when he was hiding in the cave.
Supported by JFB
Parallel instance where David's heart smites him for an action (numbering the people).
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
David repeats his self-deprecating flea metaphor to demonstrate the absurdity of Saul's pursuit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Saul repeats the exact emotional recognition of David's voice in their subsequent encounter.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God brings forth David's righteousness as the light, forcing Saul to confess it.
Supported by Matthew Henry
David again attributes Saul's hostility to the instigation of malicious slanderers.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David protests his innocence of plotting evil, aligning with his actions in the cave.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mephibosheth uses the same 'dead dog' self-deprecation before David, mimicking his father's humility.
Supported by JFB
Connects David's dwelling at En-gedi directly from the close of the preceding chapter.
Supported by Matthew Poole