1 Samuel Chapter 24 in Simple English

Read 1 Samuel Chapter 24

1When Saul came back from chasing the Philistines, he was told, "Look, David is in the wilderness of Engedi."

2So Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to look for David and his men among the rocks of the wild goats.

3He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were sitting far back in the cave.

4David's men said to him, "This is the day the LORD spoke about when he said to you, 'Look, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you may do to him whatever seems good to you.'" Then David got up and quietly cut off the edge of Saul's robe.

5Afterward David's heart troubled him, because he had cut off the edge of Saul's robe.

6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, and lift my hand against him. He is the anointed of the LORD."

7So David held his men back with these words, and would not let them attack Saul. And Saul got up, left the cave, and went on his way.

8Then David got up too and went out of the cave. He called out after Saul, "My lord the king." When Saul looked behind him, David bowed low with his face to the ground.

9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men who say, 'Look, David wants to harm you'?"

10Today your own eyes have seen how the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed.'

11Look, my father, see the edge of your robe in my hand. I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil and no rebellion in my hand. I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt me down to take my life.

12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD take revenge on you for me. But my hand will not be against you.

13As the old proverb says, "Wickedness comes from the wicked." But my hand will not be against you.

14Who has the king of Israel come out against? Who are you chasing? A dead dog. A flea.

15"So let the LORD be judge, and let him judge between me and you. Let him see, and take up my case, and rescue me from your hand."

16When David had finished saying these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" And Saul wept aloud.

17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I am. You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly."

18You have shown today how well you have dealt with me. The LORD gave me into your hand, and you did not kill me.

19If a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for what you have done for me today.

20Now look, I know well that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be made firm in your hand.

21"So swear to me now by the LORD that you will not cut off my children after me, and that you will not wipe out my name from my father's family."

22So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Explanation

1 Samuel 24

In short

David has a chance to kill King Saul, who is hunting him, but David refuses to harm him because Saul is God's anointed king. Instead, David proves his loyalty by showing Saul that he spared his life, and Saul is moved to tears and stops pursuing him.

Context

David is a fugitive fleeing Saul's jealous anger. Saul has been chasing him with soldiers, and in this chapter Saul happens to enter a cave where David and his men are hidden. David's men see this as an opportunity from God to eliminate their enemy. David is the one who must decide what to do.

What the text says

Saul is told David is near and takes three thousand men to hunt him. Saul enters a cave to relieve himself, not knowing David and his men are deep inside (verses 1-3). David's men remind him that God has delivered his enemy into his hands, and David cuts off a corner of Saul's robe secretly (verse 4). But immediately his heart troubles him for even this action against "the LORD'S anointed" (verses 5-6). David stops his men from rising against Saul (verse 7).

After Saul leaves, David goes out and calls to him, showing the cut piece of robe. David says his eyes spared Saul even though people urged him to kill, because Saul is God's anointed (verses 8-11). David appeals to the LORD to judge between them, saying his hand has not been raised against Saul (verses 12-15). Saul weeps, admits David is more righteous, acknowledges that David will be king, and asks David to swear not to destroy his descendants (verses 16-21). David swears this oath, and Saul returns home while David stays at his stronghold (verse 22).

Takeaways

David's respect for Saul's position as God's anointed restrains him even when killing would save his own life.
Actions taken in secret against God's will trouble the conscience even when unwitnessed.
Saul recognizes that David's character proves he deserves the kingdom more than Saul himself.

1 Samuel 24 - Simple English