1 Samuel 24:10-20

10 This very day with your very own eyes you have seen that just now in the cave God put you in my hands. My men wanted me to kill you, but I wouldn't do it. I told them that I won't lift a finger against my master - he's God's anointed.

11 Oh, my father, look at this, look at this piece that I cut from your robe. I could have cut you - killed you! - but I didn't. Look at the evidence! I'm not against you. I'm no rebel. I haven't sinned against you, and yet you're hunting me down to kill me.

12 Let's decide which of us is in the right. God may avenge me, but it is in his hands, not mine.

13 An old proverb says, 'Evil deeds come from evil people.' So be assured that my hand won't touch you.

14 "What does the king of Israel think he's doing? Who do you think you're chasing? A dead dog? A flea?

15 God is our judge. He'll decide who is right. Oh, that he would look down right now, decide right now - and set me free of you!"

16 When David had finished saying all this, Saul said, "Can this be the voice of my son David?" and he wept in loud sobs.

17 "You're the one in the right, not me," he continued. "You've heaped good on me; I've dumped evil on you.

18 And now you've done it again - treated me generously. God put me in your hands and you didn't kill me.

19 Why? When a man meets his enemy, does he send him down the road with a blessing? May God give you a bonus of blessings for what you've done for me today!

20 I know now beyond doubt that you will rule as king. The kingdom of Israel is already in your grasp!

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.