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1 Samuel 24

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1 Samuel 24

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

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 mayest 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 afterward, 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 master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

7 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.

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, Wherefore 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 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.

11 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.



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 saith 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 dost 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 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.

17 And he said to David, Thou 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 delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

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

21 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.

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

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Summary and the Meaning of Chapter 24 of 1 Samuel in the KJV Holy Bible

Chapter 24 of the book of 1 Samuel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a continuation of the story of King Saul and David. In this chapter, Saul is once again trying to kill David, who has been anointed as the next king of Israel by the prophet Samuel. David, however, shows mercy and spares Saul's life twice, despite having the opportunity to kill him. This chapter highlights the themes of mercy, forgiveness, and trust in God's plan. It also serves as a lesson about the consequences of jealousy and pride.

Saul's Pursuit of David

The chapter begins with Saul gathering three thousand chosen men to pursue David and his men, who are hiding in the wilderness of En-gedi. Saul believes that David is a threat to his throne and is determined to kill him. As he is searching for David, Saul enters a cave to relieve himself, not knowing that David and his men are hiding in the innermost part of the cave. David's men see this as an opportunity for David to kill Saul and take the throne, as it is believed that killing an enemy in a sacred place like a cave would bring good fortune.

However, David refuses to harm Saul, saying, "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" (1 Samuel 24:6). This act of mercy and respect for God's anointed leader is a testament to David's character and his trust in God's plan for him.

Demonstration of God's Power

After Saul leaves the cave, David follows him and calls out to him, showing him that he could have easily killed him but chose not to. David then proclaims to Saul that it is up to God to judge between them and avenge him if he has done any wrong. This act of humility and trust in God's justice further demonstrates David's faith and righteousness.

Moreover, this incident shows that God is in control of the situation and that He is protecting David. Despite being anointed as the next king, David does not take matters into his own hands or seek revenge against Saul. He trusts in God's timing and plan, knowing that God will fulfill His promise in His own way.

Saul's Confession and David's Response

Saul is moved by David's words and confesses, "I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly" (1 Samuel 24:16). This confession shows that Saul realizes his mistakes and acknowledges David's righteousness. He also acknowledges that David's actions were motivated by mercy and not harm.

In response, David shows forgiveness and mercy to Saul, saying, "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" (1 Samuel 24:10). David's words and actions show that he has no ill intentions towards Saul and that he is willing to forgive and move forward.

Lessons Learned

This chapter teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it shows the importance of mercy and forgiveness. David had every right to seek revenge against Saul, but he chose to show mercy and forgiveness instead. This act of kindness and compassion not only reflects David's character but also demonstrates the power of forgiveness in restoring relationships.

Secondly, this chapter reminds us to trust in God's plan and timing. David had been anointed as the next king, but he did not try to take matters into his own hands. He trusted in God's timing and plan, knowing that God would fulfill His promise in His own way. This shows that God is in control of our lives, and we should trust in His plan, even when things seem uncertain.

Lastly, this chapter serves as a warning against jealousy and pride. Saul's jealousy and pride led him to make foolish decisions and ultimately caused him to sin against God. It also caused him to lose the respect and loyalty of his people and his son, Jonathan. This chapter serves as a reminder to guard our hearts against jealousy and pride, as they can lead us down a destructive path.

Meaning and Significance

Chapter 24 of 1 Samuel holds great significance in the overall story of David's rise to power. It shows that David was not only a skilled warrior and leader but also a man of great character and faith. His actions in this chapter demonstrate his trust in God and his obedience to God's commandments.

Furthermore, this chapter foreshadows David's reign as king. Just as David spared Saul's life, he would also show mercy and forgiveness to his enemies when he became king. This chapter also highlights the contrast between David and Saul's character and leadership. While Saul was consumed by jealousy and pride, David's humility and trust in God set him apart as a righteous and just leader.

Overall, chapter 24 of 1 Samuel serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mercy, forgiveness, and trust in God's plan. It also serves as a warning against the destructive nature of jealousy and pride. This chapter not only adds depth to the story of David and Saul but also provides valuable lessons that are still relevant to our lives today.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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