1 Samuel 24:13

13 There is an old saying, From the evil-doer comes evil: but my hand will never be lifted up against you.

1 Samuel 24:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:13

As saith the proverb of the ancients
It is an old saying, has been long in use, and may be applied to the present case; or the "proverb of the ancient one"; of the oldest man, the first man Adam, and of all others after him, so Kimchi; or of the Ancient One of the world, the Ancient of days, the Lord himself; so in the Talmud ^F4: wickedness proceedeth from the wicked;
as is a man, so are his actions; if he is a wicked man, he will do wicked things; a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruits, an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things; and as if David should say, if I had been the wicked man as I am represented, I should have committed wickedness; I should have made no conscience of taking away thy life when it was in my power; but my heart would not suffer me to do it: but,
or "and" my hand shall not be upon thee;
as it has not been upon thee, because of the fear of God in me, so neither shall it be hereafter: or the sense of the proverb may be, the wickedness that comes from a wicked man, that will kill him, or be the cause of his ruin, or he will be slain by wicked men such as himself; and this may be thy case, O king, unless thou repentest: but be that as it may, which I leave with the righteous Judge, this I am determined on, "mine hand shall not be upon thee"; to take away thy life.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 10. 2.

1 Samuel 24:13 In-Context

11 And see, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand: for the fact that I took off the skirt of your robe and did not put you to death is witness that I have no evil purpose, and I have done you no wrong, though you are waiting for my life to take it.

12 May the Lord be judge between me and you, and may the Lord give me my rights against you, but my hand will never be lifted up against you.

13 There is an old saying, From the evil-doer comes evil: but my hand will never be lifted up against you.

14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? for whom are you searching? for a dead dog, an insect.

15 So let the Lord be judge, and give a decision between me and you, and see and give support to my cause, and keep me from falling into your hands.