1 Samuel 24:10-20

10 Here, today you have seen with your own eyes that ADONAI put you in my power there in the cave. Some of my men said I should kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I won't raise my hand against my lord, because he is ADONAI's anointed.'
11 Moreover, my father, look! Here in my hand you see the corner of your cloak. By the fact that I only cut off a piece of your cloak and didn't kill you, you can see and understand that I have no plan to do harm or rebel, and that I haven't sinned against you -even though you are seeking every chance you get to take my life.
12 May ADONAI judge between you and me, and may ADONAI avenge me on you! But I will not lay a hand on you -
13 as the old saying has it, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness, but I will not lay a hand on you.'
14 The king of Isra'el has come on a campaign - after whom? Whom are you chasing? A dead dog! A single flea!
15 ADONAI be the judge; let him decide between you and me. May he take my side and rescue me from your power!"
16 After David had finished speaking to Sha'ul, Sha'ul said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" Then Sha'ul cried out and wept;
17 and he said to David, "You are more righteous than I, because you have treated me well, while I have been treating you badly.
18 You have made it clear to me today that you have done me good; for when ADONAI put my fate in your hands, you didn't kill me.
19 A man finds his enemy and lets him go unharmed?! May ADONAI reward you well for what you did to me today.
20 Now I'm certain that you will indeed become king, and that the kingship of Isra'el will be established in your hands.

1 Samuel 24:10-20 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.