1 Samuel 24:3-21
Chapter 24
When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he entered a cave to relieve himself.
Now David and his men were far back in the cave. David’s men said to him: “This is the day which the Lord spoke of: ‘Look, I will deliver your enemy into your hands, and you will do with him as you see fit.’” So David moved up and stealthily cut off the end of Saul’s robe.
But afterward, David regretted having cut off the end of Saul’s robe,
and he said to his men: “Let me not lay my hands on my master, for he is the Lord’s anointed.”
With these words, David restrained his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
Then David himself stepped out of the cave and called after Saul: “My master, the king!” When Saul looked back, David knelt, bowed to the ground in homage, and asked him:
“Why do you listen to those who say that I want to harm you?
Look, today you have seen that the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I held myself back and said: ‘I will not lift my hands against my master who is the Lord’s anointed.’
My father, look at this end of your robe which I am holding! I cut off the end of your robe, but did not kill you. Now, you may know that I mean you no harm or treason. I have done you no wrong, and yet you are hunting me down to kill me.
May the Lord judge you and me, and may he exact justice from you in my case. But I shall do you no harm.
As the saying goes, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness’; as for me, my hand shall not harm you.
But who is it you are after, O king of Israel? Are you pursuing a dead dog? A flea?
May the Lord be judge between you and me. May he see and uphold my cause and deliver me from your hands.”
After David had spoken these words, Saul asked: “Is that your voice, my son David?” He wept aloud
and said to David: “You are right, and I am wrong, for you have repaid the harm I have inflicted on you with kindness.
This day you have shown your righteousness to me by not taking my life when the Lord put me into your hands.
If a man finds his enemy, will he let him go unharmed? May the Lord reward you for what you have done for me today.
Now I know for certain that you shall reign, and the kingdom of Israel will be firm in your hand.
Commentaries
Saul and David in the Cave.
David shows respect for the king’s life. He could have killed him but chose only to take a piece of the royal cloak, demonstrating his good intentions to Saul and seeking public acknowledgment. Saul’s weeping reveals feelings of fear and regret. By admitting his guilt, the conflict ends, and there’s no need to appeal to the Lord as a judge; it’s better to call on the Lord as a protector. Saul, who has avoided David’s revenge, also wants to escape God’s severe punishment; therefore, he calls on the Lord for David’s sake and requests an oath to counter his previous plea in verse 14. The narrator also notes that Saul expresses admiration for the future king of Israel, as Jonathan hinted in 22:17. David’s oath implicitly includes his friend Jonathan.