1 Samuel 24:13-22

13 It's like people used to say long ago, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' But I will not lay a hand on you.

14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? One flea?

15 So the LORD must be the judge. He will decide between you and me. He will watch and take my side in [this] matter and set me free from you."

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, "Is that you speaking, my servant David?" and Saul cried loudly.

17 He told David, "You are more righteous than I. You treated me well while I treated you badly.

18 Today you have proved how good you've been to me. When the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me.

19 When a person finds an enemy, does he send him away unharmed? The LORD will repay you completely for what you did for me today.

20 Now I know that you certainly will rule as king, and under your guidance the kingdom of Israel will prosper.

21 Swear an oath to the LORD for me that you will not wipe out my descendants or destroy my name in my father's family."

22 So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went home, and David and his men went to their fortified camp.

1 Samuel 24:13-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 24

Saul being returned from following the Philistines, renews his pursuit after David, 1Sa 24:1,2; and they meeting in a cave, where David had the opportunity of taking away the life of Saul, which his men pressed him to, yet only cut off the skirt of his robe, 1Sa 24:3-8; which, calling after him, he held up to him to convince him he had his life in his hands, but spared it, 1Sa 24:9,10; upon which he very pathetically reasons with him about the unreasonableness and unrighteousness of his pursuit after him, to take away his life, 1Sa 24:11-15; which so affected Saul, that he confessed he was more righteous than he, and owned that the kingdom would be his, and only desired him to swear to him not to cut off his offspring, which David did, and so they parted, 1Sa 24:16-22.