1 Samuel 24:12

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.

1 Samuel 24:12 in Other Translations

12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.

12 “May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.

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

12 "May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:12

The Lord judge between me and thee
And make it appear who is in the right, and who in the wrong: and the Lord avenge me of thee;
if he continued thus to persecute him: but mine hand shall not be upon thee;
to kill thee, though it may be in my power again to do it, as it has been; but this I am determined upon, let me suffer what I will, I will not lay hands on thee to do thee any hurt, but leave thee with God to requite all the evil done to me by thee.

1 Samuel 24:12 In-Context

10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’

11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.

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?

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