1 Samuel 24:12

12 May ADONAI judge between you and me, and may ADONAI avenge me on you! But I will not lay a hand on you -

1 Samuel 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:12

The Lord judge between me and thee
And make it appear who is in the right, and who in the wrong: and the Lord avenge me of thee;
if he continued thus to persecute him: but mine hand shall not be upon thee;
to kill thee, though it may be in my power again to do it, as it has been; but this I am determined upon, let me suffer what I will, I will not lay hands on thee to do thee any hurt, but leave thee with God to requite all the evil done to me by thee.

1 Samuel 24:12 In-Context

10 Here, today you have seen with your own eyes that ADONAI put you in my power there in the cave. Some of my men said I should kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I won't raise my hand against my lord, because he is ADONAI's anointed.'

11 Moreover, my father, look! Here in my hand you see the corner of your cloak. By the fact that I only cut off a piece of your cloak and didn't kill you, you can see and understand that I have no plan to do harm or rebel, and that I haven't sinned against you -even though you are seeking every chance you get to take my life.

12 May ADONAI judge between you and me, and may ADONAI avenge me on you! But I will not lay a hand on you -

13 as the old saying has it, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness, but I will not lay a hand on you.'

14 The king of Isra'el has come on a campaign - after whom? Whom are you chasing? A dead dog! A single flea!