1 Samuel 24:12-22

12 May the Lord judge which one of us is wrong! May he punish you for your action against me, for I will not harm you in the least.

13 You know the old saying, "Evil is done only by evil people.' And so I will not harm you.

14 Look at what the king of Israel is trying to kill! Look at what he is chasing! A dead dog, a flea! ¹

15 The Lord will judge, and he will decide which one of us is wrong. May he look into the matter, defend me, and save me from you."

16 When David had finished speaking, Saul said, "Is that really you, David my son?" And he started crying.

17 Then he said to David, "You are right, and I am wrong. You have been so good to me, while I have done such wrong to you!

18 Today you have shown how good you are to me, because you did not kill me, even though the Lord put me in your power.

19 How often does someone catch an enemy and then let him get away unharmed? The Lord bless you for what you have done to me today!

20 Now I am sure that you will be king of Israel and that the kingdom will continue under your rule.

21 But promise me in the Lord's name that you will spare my descendants, so that my name and my family's name will not be completely forgotten."

22 David promised that he would. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went back to their hiding place.

1 Samuel 24:12-22 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. 24.14 1 Samuel 26.20.