1 Samuel 24:17

17 He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.

1 Samuel 24:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 24:17

And he said to David, thou [art] more righteous than I
By which it appears he thought himself righteous, though David was more so; the righteousness of David was so glaring, that his enemy himself being judge acknowledges it, but will not confess his own wickedness, having no true sense of sin, nor real sorrow for it: for thou hast rewarded me good;
in times past, and now; heretofore in killing Goliath, fighting his battles for him against the Philistines, driving the evil spirit from him, by playing on the harp before him, and now by sparing his life, only cutting off the skirt of his garment, when he could with equal ease have cut off his head: whereas I have rewarded thee evil:
in seeking to take away his life at various times, by casting a javelin at him more than once, sending messengers to kill him, and hunting after him from place to place, to take him and slay him.

1 Samuel 24:17 In-Context

15 Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.

16 It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.

18 You have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.

19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.