1 Samuel 24

Saul having heard that David was by Engedi, pursueth him there, ver. I, &c. Cometh into a cave, in which David was with his men, who cutteth off the skirt of Sauls mantle, but will not lay hand on him, 4. Evidenceth thereby his innocency and integrity towards Saul, after whom he goeth, and communeth with him, 9. Saul is moved thereat, confesseth his fault, and taketh an oath of David, 17.

1. And David went up from thence, [viz. From the wilderness of Moan, where Saul thought to take him, as was said chap 23.25.] and he abode in the strong holds of En-geli. [Oth. called Hazazon-Thamar, Gen.14.7. & 2 Chron. 20.3. It’s a city lying in the tribe of Juda, at the salt or dead sea southward, between high mountains and rocks, in the midst whereof are many fair and pleasant valleys and fields, planted with manifold goodly trees, as palm-trees, and the like: also there growth much balsam, &c.]

2. And it came to pass after that Saul was returned from after the Philistines: [i.e. From pursuing the Philistines that invaded his land while he pursued David, above chap.23.27.] that they told him, saying: Behold, David is in the wildernesse of Engedi.

3. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel: and he went his way, to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. [i.e. In the high and steep rocks, upon which those goats, (or wild goats) do climbe and leap.]

4. And he came to the sheep-coats [Oth. To Gidreth Zon] on the way, where was a cave: Saul went in thither, to cover his feet: [i.e. To ease nature: see of this phrase, Judg.3.24.] now David and his men sat at the sides of the cave.

5. Then said Davids men unto him: Behold, the day (in) which the LORD saith to thee, Behold, I give thine enemy into thine hand, [i.e. The Lord giveth thee even now so fit an opportunity to slay thine enemy, a if he spake unto thee, Behold, I give thine enemy into thine hand. Oth. of which the Lord said unto thee] and thou shalt do to him according as it shall be good in thine eyes: and David arose, and cut softly [or, handsomely, neatly] a skirt of Sauls mantle.

6. But it came to pass afterward, that Davids heart smote him: [Fearing, that he had offended God, in offering this design to the King. Compare 2 Sam.24.10.] because he had cut off Sauls skirt.

7. And he said unto his men, The LORD be far from me, that I should do that thing [viz. That which ye advise me to do] to my Lord the LORDS anointed, [i.e. who by the command of the Lord is anointed King over Israel] that I should put forth, [or, stretch forth, lay hold on him] mine hang against him; for he is the LORDS anointed.

8. And David parted his men [Heb. Clave, or, divided his men; i.e. David rent or divided his men; i.e. David rent or divided, and destroyed the combination of his souldiers that were ready to kill Saul: or when his men coming forth from both sides of the cave, intended to fall upon Saul, then he kept them on both sides asunder one from another] with words, and suffered them not to rise up against Saul: and Saul gat him up out of the cave, and went on the way. [or, went his way.]

9. Afterward David also gat him up, and went out of the cave, and he cried after Saul, saying: My Lord (the) King: Then Saul looked behind him, and David bowed himself with his face to the ground, [In token of subjection] and loved himself.

10. And David said unto Saul, Wherefore hearest thou the words of men, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt! [i.e. thy ruine and destruction.]

11. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen, that the LORD hath given thee to day into mine hand in this cave, [See above ver.5.] and they said [i.e. some of those that were with me, counselled me, that, &c.] that I should kill thee, [Heb. to kill thee] but (mine hand) spared thee: [Heb. they spared thee, viz. mine hand, or my soul, or mine eye, or my sword,] for I said I will not put forth mine hand against my Lord, for he is the LORDS anointed.

12. Behold, now my father, [He seeketh by this loving compellation to move Saul to desist from his wicked intent] yea behold the skirt of thy mantle in mine hand, for when I cut off the skirt of thy mantle, then I killed thee not; acknowledge and say there is no evil nor transgression on mine hand, [i.e. that I thought nor imagined no hurt or mischief in mine heart against thy person, nor purposed to do with mine hand against thee] and I have not sinned against thee: yet thou huntest (after) my soul, [viz. as huntsmen search after wild beasts, chasing the through woods, and in the plain field, over hedge and ditch, over mountains and dales: see above ver.3. and chap.26.20.] to take it away.

13. The LORD shall judge between me and between thee, and the LORD shall avenge me on thee: but mine hand shall not be against thee.

14. According s the Proverb of the Ancients saith, [Heb. According to the Proverb of the Ancient: i.e. of the Ancients who lived long before this time] Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be against thee. [as if he should say, Thou needest not to be afraid of me, I will not lay mine hands on thee: wicked men do perform such wicked actions: godly men do not avenge themselves, but they commit the vengeance unto God: so will I do in like manner, I will not defile mine hands with the Kings blood.]

15. After whom is the King of Israel gone forth? after whom doest thou pursue? after a dead dog? after a dead flea? [As if David should say, ’tis not worth the labour, nor honour enough, that a King of Israel should take such pains, to pursue me with so many men, whereas I can neither bite nor hurt, having no more strength nor power then a dead dog or poor flea: see the like phrase below, chap.26.20.]

16. But the LORD shall be Judge, and judge between me and between thee, and see therein, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

17. And it came to pass when David had made an end of speaking all these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? then Saul lift up his voice, and wept.

18. And he said unto David, Thou art more righteous then I: for thou hast rewarded me good, and I have rewarded thee evil.

19. And thou hast shewed me this gay, that thou hast done me good: for the LORD had shut me up in thine hand, and thou hast not killed me.

20. Whensoever any man hath found his enemy, will be let him go upon a good way? [i.e. Will he let him go without doing him any hurt?] now the LORD reward thee good, for this day [in which thou hast saved my life. Compare the phrase with Psal.118.24.] which thou hast made me to day.

21. And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be King, [Heb. Being King shalt be King] and that the Kingdome of Israelshall remain firm and stedfast, and be perpetual] in thine hand.

22. So then swear unto me now by the LORD, If thou shalt root out my seed after me; and shalt destroy my name from my fathers house! [This is a kind of oath, or manner of swearing; see Gen.14.22,23.]

23. Then David sware unto Saul; and Saul went to his house; but David and his men went up into the strong hold. [For he durst not yet trust Saul, because he had sufficiently experienced his inconstancy, in the reconciliation which herefore he had made with him, chap.19. also Saul after this returned to his former prosecution, or pursuing of David.]