1 Samuel 24:9

9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?

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1 Samuel 24:9 in Other Translations

KJV

9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

ESV

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

NLT

9 Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?

MSG

9 He called out, "Why do you listen to those who say 'David is out to get you'?

CSB

9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of people who say, 'Look, David intends 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

1 Samuel 24:9 In-Context

7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?

10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’

11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.

Cross References 2

1. 1 Samuel 26:19
2. 1 Samuel 20:1