1 Samuel 24:12

12 The LORD judge between me and you, and the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be 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 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you; but [my eye] spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

11 Moreover, 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 you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.

12 The LORD judge between me and you, and the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.

13 As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you.

14 After whom is the king of Yisra'el come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.