1 Samuel 24:7

7 So David persuaded his men with these words ¹and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:7

So David stayed his servants with these words
Or pacified them, as the Targum, and made them quiet and easy in that he had not slain him, and reconciled their minds to his conduct, and restrained them from laying hands on him, by observing to them, that he was the anointed of the Lord: and suffered them not to rise against Saul; to take away his life;
he not only argued with them, but laid his commands on them that they should not slay him: but Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on [his] way;
he rose from his sleep, and went out of the cave unhurt, and proceeded on in the way he came to the sheepcotes, and which led on further, ( 1 Samuel 24:3 ) .

1 Samuel 24:7 In-Context

5 And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

6 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed."

7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

8 Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.

9 And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?

Cross References

• 1. [Psalms 7:4]