> [[1-samuel-23|← Previous]] | [[1-samuel-00|TOC]] | [[1-samuel-25|Next →]] --- # 1 Samuel, Chapter 24 ## Chapter 24 **David Spares Saul.** 1 David then went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi. ^1-samuel-24-1 2 When Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert near Engedi. ^1-samuel-24-2 3 So Saul took three thousand of the best men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. ^1-samuel-24-3 4 When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave. ^1-samuel-24-4 5 David’s servants said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you: I will deliver your enemy into your hand; do with him as you see fit.” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s robe. ^1-samuel-24-5 6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s robe. ^1-samuel-24-6 7 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to lay a hand on him, for he is the LORD’s anointed.” ^1-samuel-24-7 8 With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way. ^1-samuel-24-8 9 David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed, his face to the ground in homage, ^1-samuel-24-9 10 and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? ^1-samuel-24-10 11 You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my master, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ ^1-samuel-24-11 12 Look here, my father. See the end of your robe which I hold. I cut off an end of your robe and did not kill you. Now see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life. ^1-samuel-24-12 13 May the LORD judge between me and you. May the LORD exact justice from you in my case. I shall not lay a hand on you. ^1-samuel-24-13 14 As the old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness.’ Thus I will not lay a hand on you. ^1-samuel-24-14 15 What is the king of Israel attacking? What are you pursuing? A dead dog! A single flea! ^1-samuel-24-15 16 The LORD will be the judge to decide between us. May the LORD see this, defend my cause, and give me justice against you!” ^1-samuel-24-16 **Saul’s Remorse.** 17 When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And he wept freely. ^1-samuel-24-17 18 Saul then admitted to David: “You are more in the right than I am. You have treated me graciously, while I have treated you badly. ^1-samuel-24-18 19 You have declared this day how you treated me graciously: the LORD delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me. ^1-samuel-24-19 20 For if someone comes upon an enemy, do they send them graciously on their way? So may the LORD reward you graciously for what you have done this day. ^1-samuel-24-20 21 And now, since I know that you will certainly become king and that the kingship over Israel shall come into your possession, ^1-samuel-24-21 22 swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants and that you will not blot out my name from my father’s house.” ^1-samuel-24-22 23 David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold. ^1-samuel-24-23 \* (24:1) The first of two accounts (see chap. [26]) in which David spares Saul’s life. The two accounts, which do not make reference to each other, are probably alternative versions of the same story. a. (24:4) [Ps 57]. b. (24:6) [1 Sm 15:27]. c. (24:7) [1 Sm 10:1]; [26:9]; [31:4]; [2 Sm 1:14]. d. (24:12) [Rom 12:19]. e. (24:15) [2 Sm 9:8]; [16:9]. f. (24:16) [1 Sm 18:19], [31]; [26:19]; [Ps 35:1] – [3]; [43:1]. g. (24:21) [1 Sm 26:25]. h. (24:22) [2 Sm 9:1] – [3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[1-samuel-23|← Previous]] | [[1-samuel-00|TOC]] | [[1-samuel-25|Next →]]