1 Samuel 24:12

8-15 David was falsely charged with seeking Saul's hurt; he shows Saul that God's providence had given him opportunity to do it. And it was upon a good principle that he refused to do it. He declares his fixed resolution never to be his own avenger. If men wrong us, God will right us, at farthest, in the judgment of the great day....

Verse 1 Samuel 24:12. _THE LORD JUDGE BETWEEN ME AND THEE_] Appeals of this kind to God are the common refuge of the poor and oppressed people. So also among the _Hindoos: God will judge between us._ _Mother Kalee will judge_. Sometimes this springs from a consciousness of innocence, and sometimes from a desire of revenge....

DAVID IN THE WILDERNESS OF ENGEDI (1Sa 23:29 -35-24). EXPOSITION DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE IN A CAVE (1 Samuel 24:1). 1 SAMUEL 24:1 THE WILDERNESS OF EN-GEDI. Finding no safety on the western side of the desert of Judah, where the Ziphites were ever watching his movements, David now boldly crossed this arid waste, and sought shelter in the remarkable oasis of En-gedi, on the shore of the Dead Sea. The word may signify either the Fountain of Luck or the Kid's Spring, the latter being the meaning of the name Ain-Jadi, which it still bears. I

THE LORD JUDGE BETWEEN ME AND THEE,.... And make it appear who is in the right, and who in the wrong: AND THE LORD AVENGE ME OF THEE; if he continued thus to persecute him: BUT MINE HAND SHALL NOT BE UPON THEE; to kill thee, though it may be in my power again to do it, as it has been; but this I am determined upon, let me suffer what I will, I will not lay hands on thee to do thee any hurt, but leave thee with God to requite all the evil done to me by thee....

CHAPTER 24 _ 1. In the wilderness of En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:1)_ 2. David's words to Saul (1 Samuel 24:9) 3. Saul's answer to David (1 Samuel 24:16) Saul continues in the pursuit of David and with 3000 chosen men he sought David at the rocks of the wild goats. It was in En-gedi, which means “the fountain of the young goat.” There were wild rocks and the fountains of water and here David had found his refuge and strongholds. God trained him also amidst the hardships and difficulties suggested by the rocks, while the fountain suggests the refreshing which was also his blessed portion. Perhaps in that trying wilderness he poured out his heart in the way as recorded in...

1 SAMUEL 24. DAVID SPARES SAUL AT ENGEDI (E). Chs. 24 and 26 give two versions of the same story, located at different places. Probably both versions are early. It is not clear which is the earlier, but it is often considered that 26 has the more primitive flavour. It is not necessary to suppose that either story has been developed from the other; they are probably independent developments from the actual facts. 1 SAMUEL 24:1. Saul resumes the pursuit of David; under the stress of a necessity of nature, he goes alone into a cave, in the recesses of which David and his men are hidden. His followers urge him to slay Saul, but he contents himself with secretly cutting off the skirt of his robe; and even then he has qualms of conscience as to taking this liberty with his master, the Anointed of Yahweh. Saul goes out, unconscious of his danger....

David pleads his innocence 9. _men's words_ Calumniators like "Cush the Benjamite," against whom Psalms 7 is directed, strove to inflame Saul's mind against David. That Psalm has been with much probability referred to this period of his life. David's protestation of innocence in 1 Samuel 24:3 of the Psalm is closely parallel to his words in 1 Samuel 24:10; and his appeal to the judgment of Jehovah in 1 Samuel 24:8 of the Psalm resembles that in 1 Samuel 24:15....

THE LORD JUDGE, &C.— These words, spoken by David to Saul, when it was in his power to have taken his life, most men will admit, did not imply that _David_ wished or desired that God would _revenge_ him upon Saul, but was a declaration, from the spirit of prophesy, that GOD would do it. But these expressions are so frequent in Scripture, and with such circumstances and aggravations, that many do believe that they are literally intended; and though it has been otherwise enjoined under the Gospel, under the law it was not only the custom and practice of pious men to pray for the conversion, but also for the confusion of wicked and impenitent persons, whose prosperity confirmed men in their unrighteousness, and was a dishonour to God. David, conscious of his innocence, refers his cause to God, the just judge; willing to leave it wholly to his righteous award, and determined not to judge for...

_David Pleads for His Life._ 1 Samuel 24:8-15 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 today 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 agai

DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE AT ENGEDI We have a similar incident narrated in 1 Samuel 26, and some critics hold that the two are merely varying accounts of the same event. But it. is to be noticed that almost every detail that could vary, does vary. Nor is there any difficulty in supposing that David spared Saul's life twice....