1 Samuel 24:12

12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against 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 Look, this day your eyes have seen that Yahweh gave you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you. But {I took pity} on you and said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, because he [is] Yahweh's anointed one.'

11 Now, my father, see, yes, see, the hem of your robe in my hand! For {when I cut} the hem of your robe I did not kill you. Know and {realize} that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand. I did not sin against you, but you [are] hunting down my life to take it.

12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against you!

13 Just as the ancient proverb says, 'From the wicked, wickedness goes out,' but my hand will not be against you!

14 After whom did the king of Israel go out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? After one flea?