1 Samuel 24:12

12 May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall 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 This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, "I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.'

11 See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak, and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life.

12 May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.

13 As the ancient proverb says, "Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness'; but my hand shall not be against you.

14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea?