1 Samuel 24:12

12 "¹May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against 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 "Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord , for he is the LORD'S anointed.'

11 "Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.

12 "May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.

13 "As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness '; but my hand shall not be against you.

14 "After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea?

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 16:5; Genesis 31:53; Judges 11:27; 1 Samuel 26:10, 23

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "me and you"