1David in a cave at En-gedi cutteth off Saul's skirt, but spareth his life: 8he urgeth this as a proof of his innocency. 16Saul acknowledgeth his fault, taketh an oath of David, and departeth.
1AND it came to pass, when Saul was returned 1from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
1 That is, from pursuing the Philistines who invaded the land while he pursued David, 1 Sam. 23:27.
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men 2upon the rocks of the wild goats.
2 That is, in the high and steep rocks, upon which the wild goats do climb and leap.
3And he came to the 3sheepcotesa by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in 4to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
3 Other, at Gidroth Zon.
a pasturage, sheep pens
4 That is, to ease nature. See of this phrase, Judges 3:24.
4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day 5of 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 6privily.
5 That is, the Lord giveth thee even now so suitable an opportunity to slay thine enemy, as if He spoke unto thee, Behold, I give thine enemy into thine hand. Other, of which the Lord said unto thee.
6 Or, handsomely, neatly.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s 7heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
7 Fearing, that he had offended God in offering this insult to the king. Compare 2 Sam. 24:10.
6And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid 8that I should do this thing unto my master, 9the LORD’S anointed, 10to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
8 Namely, what ye advise me to do.
9 That is, who by the command of the Lord is anointed king over Israel.
10 Or, put forth, lay hold on him. See Gen. 37 on verse 22.
7So David 11stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went 12on his way.
11 Hebr. clave or divided his men; that is, David rent or divided, and destroyed the evil coalition of his soldiers, who were ready to kill Saul. Or, when his men, coming forth from both sides of the cave, intended to fall upon Saul, he then kept them on both sides asunder one from another.
12 Or, went on the way.
8David 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 13stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
13 As a sign of subjection.
9¶And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy 14hurt?
14 That is, your ruin and destruction.
10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that 15the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and 16some bade me 17kill thee: but 18mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
15 See verse 4.
16 That is, some of those who were with me, counseled me, that, etc.
17 Hebr. to kill thee.
18 Hebr. they spared thee, namely, mine hand, or my soul, or mine eye, or my sword.
1119Moreover, 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 20that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet 21thou huntest my soul to take it.
19 He seeks by this loving speech to move Saul to desist from his wicked intent.
20 That is, that I thought nor imagined any hurt or mischief against thy person, nor purposed to do with mine hand.
21 Namely, as hunters search after wild beasts, chasing them through woods and in the plain field, over mountains and dales. See verse 2 and 1 Sam. 26:20.
12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1322As saith the proverb of the ancients, 23Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
22 Hebr. According to the proverb of the ancient, that is, of the ancients who lived long before this time.
23 As if he would 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. I will do so in like manner; I will not defile mine hands with the king’s blood.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? 24after a dead dog, after a flea.
24 As if David would say: It is not worth the labor, nor honor 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 than a dead dog, or a poor flea. See the like phrase 1 Sam. 26:20.
15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16¶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.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18And 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.
19For if a man find his enemy, 25will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this 26day.
25 That is, will he let him go without doing him any hurt?
26 In which thou hast saved my life. Compare the phrase with Psalm 118:24.
20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt 27surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be 28established in thine hand.
27 Hebr. being king shalt be king.
28 That is, shall remain firm and steadfast, and be perpetual.
21Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, 29that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
29 This is a kind of oath. See Gen. 14:22, 23.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but 30David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
30 For he dared not yet to trust Saul, because he had sufficiently experienced his inconstancy in the reconciliation which heretofore he had made with him, 1 Samuel 19. It has also appeared that Saul after this returned to his previous persecution.