Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 24

Introduction

1  David, in a cave at En-gedi, having cut off Saul's skirt, spares his life.
8  He shews thereby his innocency.
16  Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.
Verse 1

And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
when Saul
23:28,29
following
Heb. after. it was told.
23:19, Proverbs 25:5, 29:12, Ezekiel 22:9, Hosea 7:3
the wilderness
23:29
Verse 2

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
Saul took
13:2
and went
Psalms 37:32, 38:12
the rocks
Psalms 104:18, 141:6
Verse 3

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
the sheepcotes
Caves in the rocks, in which it is still common for shepherds and their flocks to lodge. Dr. Pococke observes, "Beyond the valley [of Tekoa] there is a very large grotto, which the Arabs call El-Maamah, a hiding place: the high rocks on each side of the valley are almost perpendicular; and the way to the grotto is by a terrace formed in the rock, which is very narrow. There are two entrances into it; we went by the farthest, which leads by a narrow passage into a very large grotto, the rock being supported by natural pillars; the top of it rises in several places like domes; the grotto is perfectly dry. There is a tradition, that the people of the country, to the number of 30,000, retired into this grotto, to avoid a bad air. This place is so strong, that one would imagine it to be one of the strong holds of En-gedi, to which David and his men fled from Saul: and possibly it may be that very cave in which he cut off Saul's skirt; for David and his men might, with good ease, lie hid there and not be seen by him." Travels, vol. ii. P. 1. p. 41.
and Saul
Psalms 141:6
to cover
Judges 3:24
David
Psalms 57:1, 142:1; *titles
Verse 4

And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
the men
26:8-11, 2 Samuel 4:8, Job 31:31
I will deliver
10,18, 23:7, 26:23
Saul's robe
Heb. the robe which was Saul's.
Verse 5

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
David's heart
2 Samuel 12:9, 24:10, 2 Kings 22:19, 1 John 3:20,21
Verse 6

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
the Lord forbid
26:9-11, 2 Samuel 1:14, 1 Kings 21:3, Job 31:29,30, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14-21, Romans 13:1,2, 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Verse 7

So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
stayed
Heb. cut off.
Psalms 7:4, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:17-21
suffered
25:33
Verse 8

David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
My lord
26:17
David stooped
20:41, 25:23,24, Genesis 17:3, Exodus 20:12, Romans 13:7, 1 Peter 2:17
Verse 9

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
26:19, Leviticus 19:16, Psalms 101:5, 141:6, Proverbs 16:28, 17:4, 18:8, 25:23, Proverbs 26:20-22,28, 29:12, Ecclesiastes 7:21,22, James 3:6
Verse 10

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.
bade me
4, 26:8
the Lord's
26:9, Psalms 105:15
Verse 11

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
my father
18:27, 2 Kings 5:13, Proverbs 15:1
neither evil
26:18, Psalms 7:3,4, 35:7, John 15:25
thou huntest
23:14,23, 26:20, Job 10:16, Psalms 140:11, Lamentations 4:18, Ezekiel 13:18, Micah 7:2
Verse 12

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
Lord judge
26:10,23, Genesis 16:5, Judges 11:27, Job 5:8, Psalms 7:8,9, 35:1, 43:1, 94:1, Romans 12:19, 1 Peter 2:23, Revelation 6:10
but mine hand
26:11
Verse 13

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
Wickedness
Matthew 7:16-18, 12:33,34, 15:19
Verse 14

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
the king
2 Samuel 6:20, 1 Kings 21:7
a dead dog
17:43, 2 Samuel 3:8, 9:8, 16:9
a flea
26:20, Judges 8:1-3
Verse 15

The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
be judge
12, 2 Chronicles 24:22, Micah 1:2
plead
Psalms 35:1, 43:1, 119:154, Micah 7:9
deliver
Heb. judge.
26:4
Verse 16

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
Is this
26:17, Job 6:25, Proverbs 15:1, 25:11, Luke 21:15, Acts 6:10
Saul lifted
Genesis 33:4
Verse 17

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
Thou art
26:21, Genesis 38:26, Exodus 9:27, Psalms 37:6, Matthew 27:4
thou hast
Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:20,21
Verse 18

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
Lord
10, 23:7, 26:23
delivered me
Heb. shut me up.
23:12, 26:8; *margins; Psalms 31:8
Verse 19

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
the Lord
23:21, 26:25, Judges 17:2, Psalms 18:20, Proverbs 25:21,22
Verse 20

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
I know well
20:30,31, 23:17, 2 Samuel 3:17,18, Job 15:25, Matthew 2:3-6,13,16
Verse 21

Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
Swear
20:14-17, Genesis 21:23, 31:48,53, Hebrews 6:16
that thou
2 Samuel 21:6-8
Verse 22

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
David and
Proverbs 26:24,25, Matthew 10:16,17, John 2:24
the hold
23:29

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