1 Samuel 24:10

10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day 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.

1 Samuel 24:10 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:10

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen
Or may see; there is full proof and evidence of it, and which will be presently shown: how that the Lord had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave;
from whence they were both just come: and [some] bade [me] kill thee;
some of the men that were with David, some of his officers or principal friends put him upon it, having a fair opportunity, and thinking it no evil, since he was his enemy, and sought his life; or "it said, kill thee"; my heart prompted me to it, that said so at first, as Ben Gersom interprets it; some refer it to God, who in his providence said so, or so it might be understood by David, as if Providence directed him to it, by giving film such an opportunity of doing it: but [mine eye] spared thee;
had pity on him, and notwithstanding the suggestions of friends, and of his own heart at first, or the seeming direction of Providence, yet he had mercy on him, and forbore slaying him: and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord;
and king, whose subject I am: for he [is] the Lord's anointed;
the Lord has raised him to this dignity; invested him with the office of a king, and as such I regard him, and therefore have refrained mine hand from him, from hurting him,

1 Samuel 24:10 In-Context

8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying , My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying , Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day 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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.