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1 Samuel 24
1It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi."
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
3He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
4The men of David said to him, "Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe secretly.
5It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6He said to his men, "Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, since he is Yahweh's anointed."
7So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'Behold, David seeks your hurt?'
10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh's anointed.
11Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
12May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.
13As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness;' but my hand shall not be on you.
14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
15May Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand."
16It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
18You have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.
19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.
20Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
21Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house."
22David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
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Cave: En-Gedi 1 Samuel 24:3–8
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. / So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
Caves were Used as Resting Places 1 Samuel 24:3
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
Caves: Engedi 1 Samuel 24:1, 3
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” / Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
Caves: Often Capacious 1 Samuel 24:3
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
Character of the Renewed Heart: Tender 1 Samuel 24:5
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
Citizens: Loyal: David 1 Samuel 24:6–10
So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” / With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. / 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
Conscience for Having Cut off Saul's Skirt 1 Samuel 24:5
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
David: King of Israel: Meekness of 1 Samuel 24:7
With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
David: King of Israel: Refrains from Killing Saul 1 Samuel 24:1
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
Deserts: Engedi 1 Samuel 24:1
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
Dog: Epithet of Contempt 1 Samuel 24:14
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
En-Gedi: Cave of 1 Samuel 24:3
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
En-Gedi: David Uses As a Stronghold 1 Samuel 24:1
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
Enemies: The Lives of, to be Spared 1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
Flea: General Scriptures Concerning 1 Samuel 24:14
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
Forgiveness of Injuries: David 1 Samuel 24:7
With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
Forgiveness: David Forgives Saul 1 Samuel 24:10–12
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ / See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know 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. / May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
Goat: Wild, in Palestine 1 Samuel 24:2
So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
God: Judge, and his Justice 1 Samuel 24:12, 15
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. / May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
Good for Evil: Returning: David, to Saul 1 Samuel 24:17
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
Heart: Renewed: Tender 1 Samuel 24:5
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
Humility: David 1 Samuel 24:14
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
Hyke or Upper Garment was the Garment of Saul Which David Cut 1 Samuel 24:4, 5
So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
Ingratitude: Saul 1 Samuel 24:17
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
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1 Samuel 24:1-7 Verses 1-7
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.
1 Samuel 24:8-15 Verses 8-15
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.
1 Samuel 24:16-22 Verses 16-22
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.