The First Book of Samuel, otherwise called the First Book of the Kings
1 Samuel 24
Chapter XXIV · Vol. II, pp. 665–666
1 David in a cave at Engedi, having cut off Saul's skirt, spareth his life. 8 He showeth thereby his innocency. 16 Saul, acknowledging his fault, taketh an oath of David, and departeth.
1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from afollowing1 the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2 Then Saul btook three thousand chosen men2 out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
b ch.13.2; 22.8. 2 Sa.27.1. Ps.38.12.
2 That is, mountaineers, accustomed to climb precipices, and explore caves.—C.
3 And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul cwent in to cover his feet: and dDavid and his men remained in the sides3 of the cave.4
c Ju.3.24.
d Ps.lvii.; 142. title. ver.7.
3 That is, in the side caves branching from the main one. Such grottoes are found in every mountainous country, especially where limestone abounds.—C.
4 The cave of Khureitûn, in the upper part of the wilderness of Engedi, near Bethlehem, would contain upwards of 3000 men. I penetrated its dark and winding recesses to a distance of some 300 yards. One great hall in it measures 120 feet in length by 45 in breadth, with a lofty arched roof.—P.
4 And the men of David said unto him, eBehold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe5 privily.
e ch.26.8,23.
5 Heb. the robe which was Saul's.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that fDavid's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.6
f 2 Sa.12.9; 24.10. 2 Ki.22.19.
6 Cutting off the skirt was an act of robbery, as well as of disrespect to his king, therefore his conscience smites him.—Note, No sin is small in the eye of an awakened conscience.—C.
6 And he said unto his men, gThe LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
g ch.26.9,11. Mat.5.44. Ro.12.17-19; 6.1.
7 So David hstayed7 his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
h ch.26.9; 25.33.
7 Heb. cut off.
8 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 stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, iWherefore hearest 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 ksome bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
A.M. 2946. B.C. 1058.
k ver.4,6; ch.26.8.
11 Moreover, lmy father, see; yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that mthere is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou nhuntest my soul to take it.
12 The oLORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee:8 but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickednessp proceedeth from the wicked: but mineq hand shall not be upon thee.
14 After whom is rthe king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after sa dead dog, after a flea?9
9 Similar phrases are still used in the East, when persons wish to express the lowliness of their condition. Compare 2 Sa. 9.8. Notwithstanding the value of the dog to man, its name has almost universally been employed to express not only debasement but detestation. It is a favourite term of abuse among the heroes of Homer. As for the flea, it is deemed equally contemptible and troublesome in the East and West. An Arabian writer thus describes it:—'A black, nimble, extenuated, hunch-backed animal, which being sensible when any one looks at it, jumps incessantly, now on one side, now on the other, till it gets out of sight.'—I.
15 The LORD therefore tbe judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver1 me out of thine hand.
t Ge.16.5. 2 Ch.24.22. Ps.43.1. Mi.7.9.
1 Heb. judge.
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, uIs this thy voice,2 my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and xwept.3
u ch.26.17. Pr.15.1.
2 An allusion most probably to the musical character of David's voice, which Saul well remembered since the day he came to play before him on his harp. Those who have long been separated from a friend are fully aware of the electrical effect of his voice falling unexpectedly upon the ear.—C.
x With De.8.15. Ps.114.8. Ge.33.4.
3 Other and happier days were associated with David's voice—they return before Saul, and for a time his better nature prevails, and he weeps at their remembrance, and at the thought of his present jealousy and folly.—C.
17 And he said to David, yThou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered4 me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
4 Heb. shut up.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And now, behold, zI know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand:
A.M. 2946. B.C. 1058.
z ch.20.30,31; 23.17, with ch.13.14; 15.28.
21 Sweara now therefore unto me by the LORD that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
a Ge.31.44-53; 21.23. ch.20.14-17. He.6.16.
Notes
[Ver. 21. Saul's character is a most remarkable one. It is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe to which he belonged. 'To this we must add a taint of madness, which broke out in violent frenzy at times, leaving him with long lucid intervals. His affections were strong, but they were unequal to the wild accesses of religious zeal or insanity which ultimately led to his ruin.' He caught the prophetic inspiration in fitful gusts. 'Passionately he would enter into it for the time, as he came within the range of his better associations. But then he would be again the slave of his common pursuits. His religion was never blended with his moral nature. It broke out in wild ungovernable acts of zeal and superstition, and then left him more a prey than ever to his own savage disposition. In his better moments he never lost the strong affection which he had contracted for David. But then the paroxysm of rage and jealousy returns, and he pursues him over the hills of Judah. P.]
Reflections.—Restless is the malice of wicked men; but God can bring us very near to danger and yet keep us in perfect safety. And easily can he deliver up his enemies into the hand of the weakest of his people. How falsely rash men misinterpret the promises and providences of God! But we must not avenge our own quarrels, nor take all the advantages against our enemies which Providence puts in our hand; but rather seek to overcome them with patience and kindness. If temptations come to us in a pleasing form, we must flee from them; our conscience must start, not only at evident crimes, but at the most distant appearance of evil. It is honourable, when not only there is innocence, but Providence clearly manifests it; and that instead of ill designs alleged, there was nothing but the most cordial friendship. And observe—soft words are most effectual to break the bones and turn away strong wrath. What a plague to kings are flattering and deceitful courtiers! And how shameful and galling to find that through them we have been persecuting our principal friends! But there may be confession and remorse where there is no real repentance. Love to our enemies, and a mild and generous behaviour under great provocations, are glorious tokens of future greatness. But how mad is the malicious injuring of those at whose mercy we, and all that we have, may soon lie! and how prudent to keep on our guard against a known enemy! Fits of partial repentance will not last long.