1 Samuel 24:12

12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee; but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

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 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave, and some bade me kill thee. But mine eye spared thee, and I said, `I will not put forth mine hand against my lord, for he is the LORD'S anointed.'

11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee; but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, `Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked.' But mine hand shall not be upon thee.

14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea!