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1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel book home•Chapter 24 of 31•22 verses

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1 Samuel 24 Overview

Saul enters a cave at En-gedi unaware that David and his men are hiding inside. David’s men interpret the opportunity as God’s permission to kill Saul, but David only cuts off the skirt of Saul’s robe and is immediately troubled even by that act. After Saul leaves, David reveals himself, proves that he spared Saul, and appeals to the LORD as judge rather than taking vengeance into his own hands.

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Before you read 1 Samuel 24

Coming from

Chapter 23 ended with Saul’s pursuit interrupted by a Philistine invasion while David remained in wilderness strongholds.

In this chapter

A seemingly perfect opportunity to end David’s suffering becomes a test of whether he will obtain the throne through private vengeance or continue waiting for God’s timing.

Leads into

Chapter 25 records Samuel’s death and then shows David nearly failing this same lesson when Nabal insults him and David prepares to take personal revenge until Abigail intervenes.

Key understandingExplore deeper

David calls Saul ‘the LORD’s anointed’ because Saul still occupies the kingship God once assigned him, even though Saul has been rejected as the future dynastic line and is behaving wickedly. David’s restraint is not based on pretending Saul is righteous; it is based on refusing to murder the reigning king and seize the throne. The cut robe becomes visible evidence that David could have killed Saul but chose not to. Saul himself then acknowledges that David is more righteous in this matter and will surely be king.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

An apparent opportunity is not automatically divine permission; David’s men interpret circumstances one way, but David measures the action morally.

Truth 2

David can oppose Saul’s murderous behavior without taking Saul’s life into his own hands.

Truth 3

Restraint is strongest when a person has both motive and opportunity for revenge but refuses it.

Truth 4

Saul’s own confession recognizes David’s future kingship, yet temporary emotion will not produce lasting repentance in Saul’s conduct.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

Deuteronomy 32:35 teaches that vengeance belongs to the LORD, a principle consistent with David’s appeal to God as judge between him and Saul.

Connection 2

Romans 12:19 later commands believers not to avenge themselves but to give place unto wrath, applying the same broad principle against personal vengeance.

Connection 3

1 Samuel 26 will record another distinct episode in which David again refuses to kill Saul when Saul is placed within his reach.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

‘Touch not the LORD’s anointed’ in this context concerns David’s refusal to kill Saul. It should not be turned into a rule that religious or civil leaders may never be questioned, corrected, exposed, or held accountable.

Keep this clear 2

The fact that David’s men see providence in the opportunity does not prove their interpretation correct. Circumstances must not be treated as self-interpreting revelation.

Keep this clear 3

Saul’s emotional admission is not the end of the conflict; evaluate claimed change by what the following narrative actually shows.

Read 1 Samuel 24 watching for…

How David’s men interpret Saul’s arrival in the cave.

What David does instead of killing Saul.

Why David’s heart troubles him afterward.

The evidence David presents when he speaks to Saul.

David’s appeal to the LORD as judge.

What Saul admits about David’s future.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-8David secretly cuts Saul’s robe but refuses to harm the LORD’s anointed 9-15David shows Saul the evidence and declares his innocence 16-22Saul admits David is more righteous and asks him to preserve his family

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 Engedi.

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

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 mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

And he said unto his men, The 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.

So David stayed 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.

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.

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some 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.

Moreover, my 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 there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

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

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

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.

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

Swear 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.

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.