1 Samuel — Chapter 24
Loading ESV text...
1And 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 En-gedi.
2Then 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.
3And 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.
4And 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.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6And 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.
7So 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.
8David 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.
9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10Behold, 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.
11Moreover, 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.
12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16And 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.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18And 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.
19For 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.
20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21Swear 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.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
1And 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 En-gedi.
2Then 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.
3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
4And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul`s robe privily.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul`s skirt.
6And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah`s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah`s anointed.
7So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And 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. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men`s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah`s anointed.
11Moreover, 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 my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.
12Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.
16And 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.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
18And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not.
19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
20And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
21Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father`s house.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.
1(24:2) When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “Look, David is in the desert of En Gedi.”
2So Saul took 3,000 select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats.
3He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave.
4David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the Lord said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him whatever seems appropriate to you.’” So David got up and quietly cut off an edge of Saul’s robe.
5Afterward David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul’s robe.
6He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the Lord’s chosen one, by extending my hand against him. After all, he is the Lord’s chosen one.”
7David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down the road.
8Afterward David got up and went out of the cave. He called out to Saul, “My lord, O king!” When Saul looked behind him, David kneeled down and bowed with his face to the ground.
9David said to Saul, “Why do you pay attention when men say, ‘David is seeking to do you harm’?
10Today your own eyes see how the Lord delivered you—this very day—into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, ‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’
11Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn’t kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life.
12May the Lord judge between the two of us, and may the Lord vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you.
13It’s like the old proverb says: ‘From evil people evil proceeds.’ But my hand will not be against you.
14Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea?
15May the Lord be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands.”
16When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Then Saul wept loudly.
17He said to David, “You are more innocent than I, for you have treated me well, even though I have tried to harm you.
18You have explained today how you have treated me well. The Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me.
19Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the Lord repay you with good this day for what you have done to me.
20Now look, I realize that you will in fact be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
21So now swear to me in the Lord’s name that you will not kill my descendants after me or destroy my name from the house of my father.”
22David promised Saul this on oath. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.
1When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “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 staying in the innermost parts of the cave.
4David’s men 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.
5Afterward, 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 stretch out 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 showed respect.
9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you?’
10Behold, today your eyes have seen how 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 stretch out 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 will not be on you.
13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will 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 finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that 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 today 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 today.
20Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my offspring 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.
Summary
David spares Saul's life in a cave at En-gedi, cutting only the corner of his robe. Saul weeps and acknowledges David will be king, but David knows Saul's repentance is shallow and keeps his distance.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- En-gedi: An oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea — caves, waterfalls, and wild goats in the cliff faces
- "The Rocks of the Wild Goats" (v.2): The steep, cave-riddled cliffs above the spring of En-gedi
- Saul enters the very cave where David and his men are hiding — deep in the Judean wilderness, far from any town
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that David's conscience was so tender that even cutting Saul's robe troubled him. He notes that David's men misinterpreted providence — just because God gave the opportunity did not mean God intended David to kill Saul. Opportunity is not the same as permission.
- Charles Spurgeon: "'The LORD judge between me and thee.' Here is the patience of the saints. David had the power to slay his enemy but not the will. He left his cause with God, content to wait for divine vindication rather than seize human vengeance. This is the hardest lesson of faith: to have the power to act and yet to wait for God. But those who wait for God's timing receive God's best. Those who seize the moment often seize their own destruction."
Reflection
- 1. Opportunity is not the same as permission (v.4). David's men said "God has delivered your enemy into your hand." But just because God gives an opportunity does not mean He intends us to take it in the way we assume. Test every "open door" against God's character and commands, not just against your desires.
- 2. A tender conscience is a gift (v.5). David's heart "smote him" for merely cutting a robe. This sensitivity to sin — even small sin — is the mark of a heart attuned to God. Guard your conscience. Do not let it become calloused by repeated compromise.
- 3. Leave vengeance to God (v.12). David had every right to kill Saul. Instead, he said "The LORD judge between me and thee." This is extraordinarily difficult — but it is the path of faith. When you have been wronged, commit your cause to God. He is a better judge than you are, and His timing is perfect.
- 4. Emotional repentance without heart change is worthless (vv.16-22). Saul weeps, admits David's righteousness, acknowledges David will be king — and then goes right back to pursuing him (ch.26). Tears are not repentance. Words are not change. True repentance produces lasting fruit (Matthew 3:8). Do not be deceived by emotional responses that lack behavioral transformation.
- 5. Trust God's character but verify human promises (v.22). David swore to Saul but did not return to court. He trusted God absolutely but was wisely cautious with Saul. Faith in God does not require naivety about people. Be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).