1 Samuel 24

Then, in Saul’s hearing, David called upon God to judge between him and Saul. David said: “. . . may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me” (verse 12). Here, too, David was speaking correctly: he was leaving all vengeance to the Lord (see Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:17–21). He trusted that, in the end, God would vindicate him by delivering him from Saul’s hand (verse 15). It is always better to let God vindicate us than to try and vindicate ourselves. God is totally just; He will always vindicate the innocent and punish the guilty—if not in this life, then certainly in the next.⁹²

16–22 After David had spoken, Saul wept aloud (verse 16). He was filled with remorse over his wrongdoing, but he did not truly repent and turn from his evil ways (see 1 Samuel 15:24–25 and comment). A short time later he would be pursuing David again (see 1 Samuel 26:2).

Then Saul acknowledged that David would be the next king of Israel (verse 20); Saul remembered the prophecy that his kingdom would be taken away from him and given to another (1 Samuel 13:14). And, just as his son Jonathan had done earlier (1 Samuel 20:14–17), Saul asked David to swear an oath that he would not cut off⁹³ Saul’s descendants (verse 21).

David gave his oath and then, still not trusting Saul, he went back up to his stronghold (verse 22).