1 Samuel 24:15-22

15 May the LORD be the judge and decide between you and me. May he see what has happened, argue my case, and vindicate me against you!"
16 As soon as David finished saying all this to Saul, Saul said, "David, my son, is that your voice?" Then he broke down in tears,
17 telling David, "You are more righteous than I am because you have treated me generously, but I have treated you terribly.
18 Today you've told me the good you have done for me—how the LORD handed me over to you, but how you didn't kill me.
19 When someone finds an enemy, do they send the enemy away in peace? May the LORD repay you with good for what you have done for me today.
20 Now even I know that you will definitely become king, and Israel's kingdom will flourish in your hands.
21 Because of that, make a solemn pledge to me by the LORD that you won't kill off my descendants after I'm gone and that you won't destroy my name from my family lineage."
22 David made a solemn pledge to Saul. Then Saul went back home, but David and his soldiers went up to the fortress.

1 Samuel 24:15-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 24

Saul being returned from following the Philistines, renews his pursuit after David, 1Sa 24:1,2; and they meeting in a cave, where David had the opportunity of taking away the life of Saul, which his men pressed him to, yet only cut off the skirt of his robe, 1Sa 24:3-8; which, calling after him, he held up to him to convince him he had his life in his hands, but spared it, 1Sa 24:9,10; upon which he very pathetically reasons with him about the unreasonableness and unrighteousness of his pursuit after him, to take away his life, 1Sa 24:11-15; which so affected Saul, that he confessed he was more righteous than he, and owned that the kingdom would be his, and only desired him to swear to him not to cut off his offspring, which David did, and so they parted, 1Sa 24:16-22.

Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible