1 Samuel 24:9

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

1 Samuel 24:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:9

And David said to Saul, wherefore hearest thou men's words,
&c.] The false charges and accusations, that some of Saul's courtiers brought against David, as Doeg the Edomite, and such like sycophants and flatterers, to whom Saul hearkened, and believed what they said, and acted upon it. David chose rather to lay the blame on Saul's courtiers than on himself; and he began with him in this way, the rather to reconcile him to him, and cause him to listen to what he had to say: and represents them as saying
to him, behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
seeks to take away thy life, and seize upon thy crown and throne; than which nothing was more foreign from him.

1 Samuel 24:9 In-Context

7 David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his way.
8 Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, 'Behold, David seeks to harm you'?
10 "Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord , for he is the LORD'S anointed.'
11 "Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.

Footnotes 1

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