1 Samuel 24

1 After Saul had returned [come back, turned back] from pursuing [chasing, following] the Philistines, he was told, “David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] is in the wilderness [desert, waste land] of En-gedi [the fount of the kid, a town on the western shore of the Dead Sea].” word study 2 So Saul [Shaul, the desired one] took three thousand [a large and select group of] chosen men [specially-picked warriors] from all Israel and went to look for [search out, seek] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and his men [his loyal followers] in the region [area, territory] of the Rocks [a place of refuge, a stronghold] of the Wild Goats [a rugged and mountainous area, En-gedi]. word study 3 Soon Saul [Shaul, the desired one] came to the sheepfolds [yards for sheep and goats] along the road, where there was a cave [a hollow in the rock], and he went in to relieve himself [to cover his feet, for a private purpose]. And David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and his men [his male followers, companions] were hiding [abiding, remaining] in the recesses [the innermost parts, the deepest part] of the cave. word study 4 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day [of divine opportunity, long awaited] about which the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy [Saul, your adversary] into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish [as it seems good to you, according to your discretion].’” Then David crept up secretly [with stealth, unseen] and cut off a corner [the skirt or hem] of Saul’s robe [his garment]. word study 5 Afterward, David’s [heart] conscience was stricken [smote, deeply troubled] because he had cut off [secretly, in a hidden manner] the corner [wing, edge] of Saul’s [the king’s] robe [outer garment, meil]. word study 6 So he said to his men, “The LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] forbid that I should do such a thing [an evil act, a harmful deed] to my master [leader, king], the LORD’s anointed [chosen one, appointed king]. May I never lift my hand [stretch out my arm, use my power] against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed [selected and set apart by God].” word study 7 With these words [of restraint and caution] David restrained [checked and controlled] his men, and he did not let them rise up [or attack] against Saul [the Lord’s anointed, his king]. Then Saul left [departed from] the cave [a place of hiding and refuge] and went on his way [continued on his journey, unmolested]. word study 8 After that, David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] got up, went out of the cave [a dark or hidden place], and called out to Saul [Shaul, meaning desired], “My lord [master, ruler] the king [ruler, monarch]!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed [stooped, showed respect] facedown [with his face to the earth] in reverence [honor, worship] word study 9 and said to Saul [the king of Israel], “Why do you listen to the words [utterances, reports] of men who say, ‘Look, David [the future king, a man after God’s heart] intends to harm [do evil to, seek the hurt of] you’ [as an enemy, with malicious intent]? word study 10 Behold [look, see], this day you have seen with your own eyes [with your own understanding, clearly] that the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] delivered you into my hand [given you into my power, placed you at my mercy] in the cave [a place of hiding, a secret location]. I was told [some urged me, advised me] to kill you, but I spared you [showed you compassion, had pity on you] and said, ‘I will not lift my hand [refuse to raise my hand, withhold my power] against my lord [my master, my king], since he is the LORD’s anointed [chosen one, appointed leader].’ word study 11 See, my father [look carefully], look at the corner [hem, skirt] of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you [take your life]. See and know that there is no evil [wickedness, wrongdoing] or rebellion [transgression, disobedience] in my hands. I have not sinned [done wrong, acted unjustly] against you, even though you are hunting me down [pursuing, seeking] to take my life [end my existence]. word study 12 May the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Judge] judge between you and me, and may the LORD [the Almighty, Avenger] take vengeance on you, but my hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] will never be against you [in a harmful or aggressive manner]. word study 13 As the old proverb [a saying from the ancients, a traditional wisdom] says, ‘Wickedness [evil, sinful behavior] proceeds from the wicked [those who do evil, the unrighteous].’ But my hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] will never [at no time, not ever] be against you [in opposition to, or harming you]. word study 14 Against whom [the king’s enemy, a specific person] has the king of Israel come out [to pursue, to attack]? Whom are you pursuing [chasing, searching for]? A dead dog [a worthless, insignificant thing, an insect]? A flea [something small and insignificant, a tiny insect]? word study 15 May the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] be our judge [arbiter, ruler] and decide [give sentence, render verdict] between you and me. May He [the Almighty, God Himself] take notice [see, be aware] and plead [champion, advocate for] my case [cause, situation] and deliver [rescue, save] me from your hand [power, control].” word study 16 When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice [the sound of my son], David my son [my beloved child]?” Then Saul wept [lifted up his voice and cried, overcome with emotion] aloud word study 17 and said to David, “You are more righteous [just, and fair] than I, for you have rewarded [repaid, given back] me with good [kindness, benevolence], though I have rewarded [repaid, treated] you with evil [harm, wrongdoing, injustice]. word study 18 And you have shown this day [clearly demonstrated, made evident] how well [with kindness, in a good manner] you have dealt with me [treated me, acted towards me]; for when the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me [take my life, slay me]. word study 19 When a man finds [comes across, encounters] his enemy [hater, one who opposes], does he let him go away [release, set free] unharmed [without punishment, safely]? May the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] reward [repay, recompense] you with good [pleasant things, blessings] for what you have done [acted, performed] for me this day [today, at this time]. word study 20 Now I know for sure [with absolute certainty, beyond doubt] that you will be king [ruler, sovereign], and that the kingdom [realm, dominion] of Israel will be established [secured, made strong] in your hands [under your authority, control]. word study 21 So now [at this time, in this moment], swear to me by the LORD [the covenant God, Yehovah] that you will not cut off [destroy, eliminate] my descendants [seed, offspring] or wipe out [destroy, remove] my name [reputation, legacy] from my father’s house [family, lineage].” word study 22 So David gave his oath [swore a promise, made a vow] to Saul [the king of Israel]. Then Saul returned home [to his house, his residence], but David and his men went up to the stronghold [a secure place, a fortress, the hold]. word study