1 Samuel 24:8-18

8 Later, David got up, left the cave, and called to Saul, "Your Majesty!" When Saul looked back, David knelt down with his face touching the ground.

9 David asked Saul, "Why do you listen to rumors that I am trying to harm you?

10 Today you saw how the LORD handed you over to me in the cave. Although I was told to kill you, I spared you, saying, 'I will not raise my hand against Your Majesty because you are the LORD's anointed.'

11 My master, look at this! The border of your robe is in my hand! Since I cut off the border of your robe and didn't kill you, you should know and be able to see I mean no harm or rebellion. I haven't sinned against you, but you are trying to ambush me in order to take my life.

12 May the LORD decide between you and me. May the LORD take revenge on you for what you did to me. However, I will not lay a hand on you.

13 It's like people used to say long ago, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' But I will not lay a hand on you.

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

15 So the LORD must be the judge. He will decide between you and me. He will watch and take my side in [this] matter and set me free from you."

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, "Is that you speaking, my servant David?" and Saul cried loudly.

17 He told David, "You are more righteous than I. You treated me well while I treated you badly.

18 Today you have proved how good you've been to me. When the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me.

1 Samuel 24:8-18 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.