1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24:1-7

We have here, 1. The malice of Saul in feeling David’s life, and David’s generosity in fearing his, when in his power, ver. 1—8.

2. How pathically he resigned with Saul upon this, ver. 9—15.

3. The good impression that made upon Saul for the present, ver. 16—22.

4. AND it came to pass when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. 2. Then Saul took three thousand chodes men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3. And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where out a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5. And it came to pass afterwards, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my matter the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7. So David they had his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul: but Saul arose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

No sooner hath Saul checked the Philistines, than he becomes more solicitous to defray David, than improve his victory over the nation’s enemies: he therefore returns to the purities, and as it would be inconvenient to take all his army in so rocky and mountainous a country; with three thousand

picked men, he climbs the precipices of En-gedi. And here we have,

1. The danger into which Saul is brought. In the heat of the day, fatigued probably, with the toil of mounting these craggy sheep, he retires into a cave to sever his feet, wrapping himself up in his garments, for a little repuls. In this cave lay David and his men concealed; perhaps a party of them only: or if they were all there, it need not appear through, as caves by nature or art have been not uncommon, where a much greater number might be hid; and as it was all dark within, Saul discovered nothing of them. Now, When we lie down on our beds, we know not what dangers compels us about; how ought we then ever to commend our fools to God, ere we cloth our eyes in sleep, that if we never wake again, it may be well with us!

2. The deliverance he obtains through David’s generosity, and pious regard to God. His men urge him to take the advantage which Divine Providence had given him, and plead the promise God had made him: but David better understood these than his servants, and therefore there bore them the proposal with abhorrence. His loyalty to his king, and his duty to God, forbid the deed: nor would he suffer them to do Saul the least hurt, but only himself thereby, during his deep, cut off the skirt of his robe; and even for this his heart smote him, heft it might form putting an infirmity upon his sovereign. Now, (1.) A tender conscience will start, not only at evident crimes, but at the appearance of evil. (2.) We may not take all the advantages, even against our enemies, God’s providence gives us, but rather seek to overcome them with patience and kindness. (3.) Nothing can ever excute or justify enforcing our hands in the blood of our sovereign, though he were never so tyrannical, unjust, or bloody a persecutor. (4.) When temptation comes in never so pleasing a form, we must turn from it, as from the face of a serpent.

3. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David booped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9. And David said to Saul, Wherefore heareth thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt! 10. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen, how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave, and some had me kill thee, but mine eyes spared thee, and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed. 11. Moreover, my father, see, yea, for the skirt of thy robe in mine hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not; know thou and see, that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou honneth my soul to take it. 12. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 13. As faith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 14. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom doeth thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15. The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of the hand.

1 Samuel 24:8-15

Saul, when his nap was over, unsuspicious of what had passed, arises and departs; David quickly follows him, and ere he was gone for, even after him with the most honourable title, My lord the king; and bows before him with the deepest respect. Surprised, no doubt, greatly at the voice, he turns; more surprised at the person, and most with the discourse which was addressed to him by his pious son and loyal subject.

1. He wisely and politely lays the blame of Saul’s conduct on his courtiers rather than himself; and many such as Doeg, no doubt there were, that envied David’s preferment. The courts of princes abound with sycophants: it is difficult to see with their own eyes; and the best friends of their country, represented through this medium, are often made to appear, and are treated, as her sworn enemies.

2. He produces the strongest evidence of his innocence, in that day’s occurrence: for he from seeking Saul’s life, when urged to say him when lying at his mercy, the skirt he held up proclaimed how tender he was of his life; he reverenced him as God’s anointed, he respected him as his king; and he adds the endearing name of father, as a reason both of rejecting so wicked a proposal, and to awaken the tenderness of a father’s bowels towards a son so dutiful, and a servant so faithful. Now, No provocation can vindicate requisite.

3. He solemnly prowess it never was his intention, and never would be his desire to avenge himself: he referred the matter wholly to God, and observes, according to an ancient proverb,

Wick Benedict 1915. a Phil. cl. 5. Prov. rev. all. & exile 5. a Prov. rev. 1. a Phil. rev. 1. Prov. 1. 11. John vs. 15. 1 Var. 2.