1 Samuel 24:12

12 May the LORD decide between you and me. May the LORD take revenge on you for what you did to me. However, I will not lay a hand on you.

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 Today you saw how the LORD handed you over to me in the cave. Although I was told to kill you, I spared you, saying, 'I will not raise my hand against Your Majesty because you are the LORD's anointed.'

11 My master, look at this! The border of your robe is in my hand! Since I cut off the border of your robe and didn't kill you, you should know and be able to see I mean no harm or rebellion. I haven't sinned against you, but you are trying to ambush me in order to take my life.

12 May the LORD decide between you and me. May the LORD take revenge on you for what you did to me. However, I will not lay a hand on you.

13 It's like people used to say long ago, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' But I will not lay a hand on you.

14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? One flea?