1 Samuel 24:12-15

12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.

13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.

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

15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”

1 Samuel 24:12-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 24

Saul being returned from following the Philistines, renews his pursuit after David, 1Sa 24:1,2; and they meeting in a cave, where David had the opportunity of taking away the life of Saul, which his men pressed him to, yet only cut off the skirt of his robe, 1Sa 24:3-8; which, calling after him, he held up to him to convince him he had his life in his hands, but spared it, 1Sa 24:9,10; upon which he very pathetically reasons with him about the unreasonableness and unrighteousness of his pursuit after him, to take away his life, 1Sa 24:11-15; which so affected Saul, that he confessed he was more righteous than he, and owned that the kingdom would be his, and only desired him to swear to him not to cut off his offspring, which David did, and so they parted, 1Sa 24:16-22.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 16:5; Genesis 31:53; S 1 Samuel 25:38; S Job 9:15; Job 5:8
• 2. S Numbers 31:3; Judges 11:27; 1 Samuel 26:10
• 3. Matthew 7:20
• 4. S 1 Samuel 17:43; 2 Samuel 9:8
• 5. 1 Samuel 26:20
• 6. ver 12
• 7. S Genesis 16:5
• 8. Psalms 35:1,23; Isaiah 49:25; Micah 7:9
• 9. Psalms 26:1; Psalms 35:24; Psalms 43:1; Psalms 50:4; Psalms 54:1; Psalms 135:14
• 10. Psalms 119:134,154