8<\/strong>. stooped<\/em>, &c.] Better, bowed himself with his face to the ground and did obeisance.<\/strong> The usual Oriental gesture of reverence to a king or superior is described. See on 1Sa 20:41<\/span>. Cp. 1Ki 1:16<\/span>; 1Ki 1:31<\/span>.<\/p>\n 8-15. David also arose . . . andwent out of the cave, and cried after Saul<\/B>The closeness of theprecipitous cliffs, though divided by deep wadies, and thetransparent purity of the air enable a person standing on one rock tohear distinctly the words uttered by a speaker standing on another(Jud 9:7<\/span>). The expostulation ofDavid, followed by the visible tokens he furnished of his cherishingno evil design against either the person or the government of theking, even when he had the monarch in his power, smote the heart ofSaul in a moment and disarmed him of his fell purpose of revenge. Heowned the justice of what David said, acknowledged his own guilt, andbegged kindness to his house. He seems to have been naturallysusceptible of strong, and, as in this instance, of good and gratefulimpressions. The improvement of his temper, indeed, was buttransienthis language that of a man overwhelmed by the force ofimpetuous emotions and constrained to admire the conduct, and esteemthe character, of one whom he hated and dreaded. But God overruled itfor ensuring the present escape of David. Consider his language andbehavior. This language”a dead dog,” “a flea,”terms by which, like Eastern people, he strongly expressed a sense ofhis lowliness and the entire committal of his cause to Him who aloneis the judge of human actions, and to whom vengeance belongs, hissteady repulse of the vindictive counsels of his followers; therelentings of heart which he felt even for the apparent indignity hehad done to the person of the Lord’s anointed; and the respectfulhomage he paid the jealous tyrant who had set a price on hisheadevince the magnanimity of a great and good man, and strikinglyillustrate the spirit and energy of his prayer “when he was inthe cave” (Ps142:1<\/span>).<\/P><\/p>\n David also arose afterward<\/strong>,…. After Saul was gone:<\/p>\n and went out of the cave<\/strong>; where he had been all the time that Saul had been in it:<\/p>\n and cried after Saul<\/strong>: with a loud voice: my lord the king; by which titles Saul would know that he was called unto:<\/p>\n and when Saul looked behind him<\/strong>; to see who it was that called unto him:<\/p>\n David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself<\/strong>: giving reverence and honour to him as a king; [See comments on 1Sa 20:41]<\/span>.<\/p>\n But when Saul had gone out of the cave, David went out, and called, “ My lord king<\/em>,” that when the king looked round he might expostulate with him, with the deepest reverence, but yet with earnest words, that should sharpen his conscience as to the unfounded nature of his suspicion and the injustice of his persecution. “ Why dost thou hearken to words of men, who say, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have been that Jehovah hath given thee to-day into my hand in the cave, and they said<\/em> ( , thought) to kill thee, and I spared thee<\/em>:” lit<\/em>. it (mine eye) spared thee (cf. Gen 45:20<\/span>; Deu 7:16<\/span>, etc., which show that is to be supplied).<\/p>\n CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES<\/strong><\/p>\n 1Sa. 24:8<\/span>. The closeness of the precipitous rocks and the depth of the ravines or wadies between them, together with the remarkable purity of the air, made it quite easy for David thus to converse with Saul at a distance sufficient to ensure his own safety. My lord the King<\/strong>. This address indicates the double point of view whence David, in what follows, declares by deed<\/em> and by word<\/em> his relation and attitude to Saul. He recognises and honours Saul as his lord<\/em> to whom he is bound to be subject; in calling him lord<\/em> he declares himself guiltless of insurrection against him. In the king<\/em> he sees the anointed<\/em> of the Lord, the bearer of the holy theocratic office, in which character he was inviolable. (Erdmann<\/em>.)<\/p>\n 1Sa. 24:13<\/span>. As saith the proverb<\/strong>, etc. The meaning is, only a wicked man would wish to avenge himself, I do not. (Keil<\/em>.) A prophetic speech. Thy death will not be from me, who have no such thoughts, but from the wicked. And so it was. Saul perished by his own wicked hand. (Wordsworth<\/em>.)<\/p>\n 1Sa. 24:14<\/span>. A flea<\/strong>. Literally, a single flea<\/em>. By these similes David meant to describe himself as a perfectly harmless and insignificant man, of whom Saul had no occasion to be afraid, and whom it was beneath his dignity to pursue. (Keil<\/em>.)<\/p>\n MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.<\/em>1Sa. 24:8-15<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n DAVIDS VINDICATION OF HIMSELF TO SAUL<\/p>\n I. This vindication of David reveals that he still considered himself a subject of the king of Israel.<\/strong> The best and wisest men are always the least ready to rebel against those in authority, and their obedience will stand a much more severe test than that of men who are their inferiors in character and ability. A son who is far above his father in excellence and wisdom will be far more loyal to his weak and erring parent than one who is like him in character, and a subject who is morally and intellectually superior to his ruler will bear more before he renounces his allegiance than one who is less intelligent and godly. Noble and good men in all ages have been tried both in their public and private relationships by the incapacity and wickedness of those in authority over them, and it has sometimes become their duty to disown such authority and renounce their allegiance to such rule, but this is a step that is taken with the most reluctance by the men who seem to have the most right to take it. It seems to us, when we read this history, that of all the men in Israel at this time, David was the least bound to acknowledge Saul as his lord and king. No man in the kingdom had deserved Sauls gratitude so much and none had received such ingratitude and cruelty at his hand. Yet Davids mode of address here shows him still acknowledging himself Sauls subject, and reveals that he had only taken arms in self-defence, and not in defiance. The spirit of this Old Testament servant of God was the same as that which animated the apostles and martyrs of the Christian Church (Rom. 13:1<\/span>; Tit. 3:1<\/span>), and had its root in the same recognition of God as the Supreme Ruler and Judge of all men.<\/p>\n II. His conduct shows that he considered Sauls position worthy of outward tokens of respect.<\/strong> When it is impossible to respect a man for what he is, we may sometimes feel bound to honour him for what he has been, or for what he now represents. A heap of ruined stones may have nothing in their present appearance to awaken interest, but if they are the remains of a city once famous for its beauty, thinking men cannot look at them without emotion. Or a building which has never had any pretensions to architectural beauty may awaken a feeling almost of reverence because it represents something of far more value and dignity than itself. So when David bowed himself before Saul it could hardly have been in token of respect for any moral excellence now found in him, but must have rather been in honour of what he once was and of what he even now represented. He was still the Lords anointedthe man whom God had Himself appointed to rule over His people Israel, and there had been a time when he had seemed not unworthy of the honour thus put upon him. And David, like every other godly man, was ever ready to render honour wherever it was due, whether to place or person, whether to individual excellence or to powers ordained of God (Rom. 13:1<\/span>.)<\/p>\n III. Yet Davids vindication contains an appeal to Sauls reason and to Gods justice.<\/strong> Reverence for Saul as a king, and a sense of his own duty as a subject, did not degenerate into that servility which seems to ignore the fact that the higher the position the greater the obligation, and to forget that there is a Judge before whose bar all human distinctions fade away. David did not think it incompatible with his acknowledgment of Saul as his lord to remonstrate with him on his foolishness, and to remind him that there was a King to whom both the persecutor and the persecuted would have to render an account, and whose judgment would certainly be according to truth. The most genuine loyalty is always found associated with self-respect and with faith in God, and they are the most faithful servants of kings who do not fear to show them wherein they err, and who can with confidence commit their cause to Him who will one day certainly render every man according to his works. For neither of the two causes, one or the other of which sometimes operates in the decisions of a human judge and leads him to pronounce an unjust sentence, can ever have any place in the Divine administration. A man may condemn the innocent or justify the guilty through ignorance, or from wickedness. He may not be acquainted with all the facts of the case, or some selfish or other evil motive may lead him to pronounce a false verdict. But it is the joy of every lover of truth and righteousness to know that this can never be the case with God. He who searches and knows everyone of His creatures can never be mistaken in His judgment, and He who is infinitely above them, both in nature and in character, can have no motive or desire to wrong anyone of them in the smallest degree. Hence the assurance with which men in all ages have turned to Him when they have been wronged by their fellow-creatures, and have said, with David, The Lord, therefore, be judge, and see, and plead my cause<\/em>.<\/p>\n OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS<\/em><\/p>\n 1Sa. 24:10<\/span>. It by no means follows that all kings are Gods lieutenants in the sense in which Saul was, or lie under the same sacred charm of divine anointing. God does not stand in the same special relation to other nations as he did to the Jews. Magistracy is still the ordinance of God, but it is left to communities to choose both the form of government and the individuals who are to exercise it. Nations have power to choose their governors, and, unless there be a special arrangement to the contrary, they have power to discontinue them. Thus viewed, the consideration that influenced David resolves itself into a principle of wider application. It was the fruit of that profound reverence for Gods will, and that thorough confidence in Gods providential government, and in the holy principles on which it is conducted, that characterised David in all his better periods and that will ever characterise the humble and consistent Christian.Blaikie<\/em>.<\/p>\n David Pleads for His Life. 1Sa. 24:8-15<\/span><\/p>\n 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. 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.<\/p>\n 12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 7.<\/p>\n Why did David dare to show himself? 1Sa. 24:8<\/span><\/p>\n David trusted God to protect him, but he did not want to take foolish risks. Still he felt the circumstances favored his speaking to Saul directly. He could demonstrate the fact that he had not been lying in wait for Saul. In his hand he had a piece of Sauls robe which he had cut off, and this would be evidence of the fact that he could have killed Saul if he had wanted to do so. Armed with this bit of evidence, David thought that he could prevail upon Saul to listen to reason and to leave the area and stop his attempt to kill David.<\/p>\n 8.<\/p>\n Why did David ask that God judge between them? 1Sa. 24:12<\/span><\/p>\n David did not want to condemn his king and pass judgment upon him. He simply explained to Saul that he had cut off his skirt and did not kill him. This was a demonstration of the fact that there was neither evil or transgression in Davids hand. He explained that he had not sinned against Saul. On the other hand he said that Saul was hunting him to kill him. David also was expressing his avowed purpose of letting God work out the difficult situation. David would not lift up his own hand to harm Saul. He was waiting for the Lord to avenge him of the evil which had been done to him.<\/p>\n 9.<\/p>\n What ancients had given this proverb? 1Sa. 24:13<\/span><\/p>\n The Hebrew word behind our word ancients signifies those who are from the east country. The word appears in Eze. 47:8<\/span> and must be a reference to the forefathers who had originated in the Mesopotamian valley. In later Israelite history, Solomon is compared to the wise men of the East. At that time it was said that Solomons wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the east country (1Ki. 4:30<\/span>). The saying which David quoted must have been well known, and it is reminiscent of Jesus statement that we shall know men by their fruits. Jesus said, A corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit (Mat. 6:17<\/span>). David knew that if he performed the wicked deed he would be considered a wicked man. He did not want to be in this class.<\/p>\n 10.<\/p>\n Why did David call himself a dead dog? 1Sa. 24:14<\/span><\/p>\n David was referring to himself as being one of no account. He was from the lowly shepherds home in Bethlehem of Judah. His father was not a very important man in Israel. Davids reference to himself in this lowly figure was similar to Sauls humility as he was introduced to Samuel. Saul had said that he was a member of the smallest tribe of Israel and that his father was the least of all the families of the tribe (1Sa. 9:21<\/span>). Such language is customary among Orientals. Usually they are a very humble people, and we take Davids expression to be a sincere effort to subject himself to the rightful claims of his king.<\/p>\n (8) And cried after Saul.<\/strong>The outlaw suffered the king and his companion to proceed some little waypossibly down the deep ascent which led up to the caves mouthand then called after Saul, but with an address of the deepest reverence, accompanied too (see next clause) with an act of the profoundest homage which an inferior could pay to a superior. He would show Saul at least he was no rival king.<\/p>\n David Reveals Himself To Saul And Demonstrates That He Has Proved By His Restraint In Not Killing Him That He Is Totally Loyal To Him ( 1Sa 24:8-22<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> ). <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Once Saul had left the cave David boldly revealed himself to him and pointed out to him that if he had intended hurt him he could have killed him while he was in the cave and at his mercy, at which Saul responded accepting the justice of David’s position and acknowledging that David would undoubtedly one day be king, and requested that when that should happen he would have mercy on Saul’s family. But we should note that while Saul goes away at that point and withdraws his men there is no full reconciliation, with the consequence that David and his men remain in their stronghold. David had clearly recognised that he could not rely on what Saul had said, and that what had happened had simply bought his men respite for a time. <\/p>\n The conversation that follows brings out David’s extraordinary attitude towards Saul, and it was clearly seen as very important by the writer. What then was his purpose in recording it so fully? A number of suggestions can be made: <\/p>\n 1). That the writer wants us to see that David restrained his hand because he saw Saul as sacred to YHWH, in that he was the chosen and anointed of YHWH, and appointed to rule over his lifetime. David clearly felt that he must allow YHWH to judge when that should end. This was something which the writer saw as indicating David’s true godliness. That this was one reason was undoubtedly so, but even it only partly explains what is said. For David was in fact quite prepared to think of YHWH acting against Saul in order to put an end to his existence, as he made clear when he said, “YHWH judge between me and you, and YHWH avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you” (1Sa 24:12<\/span>). What he would not do was act against Saul himself. He left any action to YHWH. <\/p>\n 2). That the writer wants us to see that David would take no steps towards taking the throne until he knew that it was YHWH’s time. He was indicating that David was prepared to wait patiently for YHWH to work His purposes through, because he saw YHWH as sovereign over men’s affairs. In other words it draws out that David had no overweening ambition of such a kind as to drive him to act before God was ready for him to do so, while being confident that YHWH certainly would act in His own good time. This also was undoubtedly true, and there is an important lesson for us to learn from it of the danger of our attempting to hurry God along before He is ready to act. We often need to walk patiently with Him, waiting until He is ready to work His purposes out, for in that way we will ensure the greatest blessing. On the other hand that should not prevent us from praying urgently for Him to ensure that His Name is hallowed, and that His Rule might come about in men’s hearts. What it does warn against is our laying down our own rules for Him to follow. <\/p>\n 3). That the writer is seeking to establish the idea of sacred kingship, not in order to benefit Saul but in order to benefit the later Davidic kingship. (We must remember that he was living under the Davidic kingship). It may be, therefore, that he wanted all to learn the lesson that the Davidic king’s position was sacred and therefore not to be seen as something which could be rebelled against or curtailed by man. This principle was on the whole preserved in Judah until the Exile, in total contrast to the situation in Israel, partly because of this and partly because it was based on the later promise of the everlasting kingship (2Sa 7:12-16<\/span>). <\/p>\n Analysis. <\/p>\n a <\/strong> 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 bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance (1Sa 24:8<\/span>). <\/p>\n b <\/strong> And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Look, David seeks your hurt?’ Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and some bade me kill you, but my conscience spared you, and I said, ‘I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is YHWH’s anointed’ ” (1Sa 24:9-10<\/span>). <\/p>\n c <\/strong> “Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the hem of your robe in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and did not kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it” (1Sa 24:11<\/span>). <\/p>\n d <\/strong> “YHWH judge between me and you, and YHWH avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you” (1Sa 24:12<\/span>). <\/p>\n e <\/strong> “As says the proverb of the ancients, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be upon you” (1Sa 24:13<\/span>). <\/p>\n f <\/strong> “After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. YHWH therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand” (1Sa 24:14-15<\/span>). <\/p>\n g <\/strong> And it came about that, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept (1Sa 24:16<\/span>). <\/p>\n f <\/strong> And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil” (1Sa 24:17<\/span>). <\/p>\n e <\/strong> “And you have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, forasmuch as when YHWH had delivered me up into your hand, you did not kill me. ‘For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away?’ ” (1Sa 24:18-19<\/span> a). <\/p>\n d <\/strong> “Wherefore YHWH reward you good for that which you have done to me this day” (1Sa 24:19<\/span> b). <\/p>\n c <\/strong> “And now, see, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand” (1Sa 24:20<\/span>). <\/p>\n b <\/strong> “Swear now therefore unto me by YHWH, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house” (1Sa 24:21<\/span>). <\/p>\n a <\/strong> And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men took themselves up to the stronghold (1Sa 24:22<\/span>). <\/p>\n Note that in ‘a’ David arose and came out of the cave and made obeisance to Saul, and in the parallel he made an oath to Saul and he and his men again took themselves to the stronghold. In ‘b’ David points out that he has spared Saul’s life in spite of the protestations of others, and in the parallel Saul seeks that he will also spare the lives of his descendants. In ‘c’ David points out that he had cut off the hem of Saul’s robe, the emblem of his kingship, and in the parallel Saul recognises that that kingship will go to David. In ‘d’ David puts his plea before YHWH to take care of his case, and in the parallel Saul looks to YHWH for him to be rewarded. In ‘e’ David cites a proverb and says that his hand will not be on Saul, and in the parallel Saul points out that David had restrained his hand from him, and also cites a proverb. In ‘f’ David asks that YHWH judge between them, and in the parallel Saul does judge between them. Centrally in ‘g’ Saul responds to ‘his son David’ with weeping. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:8<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> 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 bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.’ <\/p>\n We can imagine something of the shock that Saul must have received when he heard David calling to him and, on turning round, recognised that he had been present in the cave that he had just left. He was probably just as surprised when David humbled himself before him (safely at a distance). David was seeking to bring home to Saul his genuine loyalty and desire only to serve him. This was, as we will now learn, because he saw him as YHWH’s anointed. <\/p>\n David’s Plea. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:9-10<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Look, David seeks your hurt?’ Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and some bade me kill you, but my conscience spared you, and I said, ‘I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is YHWH’s anointed.’ ” <\/p>\n David then asked Saul why he listened to the men who claimed that David was seeking to do him hurt. He was still unable to believe that the one who had previously shown him such kindness, and had even made him his son-in-law, could have turned against him of his own volition. (He was, of course, not aware of what Saul’s motive had really been in making him his son-in-law). And he pointed out to him that some of his men had urged him to kill Saul when he had been delivered into his hand, but that because of his conscience about putting out his hand against the one who was anointed by YHWH he had refrained. <\/p>\n The point about the continued reference to Saul as ‘YHWH’s anointed’ was not just that he was the generally anointed king, but that David knew from Samuel that Saul had specifically been anointed for the whole of his lifetime, after which, as a result of his disobedience, his line would then cease to rule and David would take over as the new ‘YHWH’s anointed’. It seemed to David, therefore, presumptious, and almost sacrilegious, to seek to hasten that event before the end of God’s allotted period. It is another reminder to us that history is in God’s hands. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:11<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the hem of your robe in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and did not kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.” <\/p>\n He then produced the piece of cloth\/tassel which he had cut off from the hem of Saul’s royal robe as evidence of the fact that he had been close enough to Saul to choose whether he would cut off the hem or kill him. And it demonstrated quite openly that he had chosen not to kill him. Did not that prove conclusively that there was no evil or transgression in his hand? Did it not prove that he had not sinned against Saul, even while, paradoxically and mistakenly, Saul was hunting after his life to take it? What more proof did Saul need of his genuineness? <\/p>\n Note also his reference to Saul as ‘my father’. For Saul was his father in that he had married Saul’s daughter, and he was also his ‘father’ in that he was his king. It was a further indication of David’s respect for Saul. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:12<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> YHWH judge between me and you, and YHWH avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be upon you.” <\/p>\n Then he called on YHWH to act as judge between them. He wanted Saul to know that while YHWH might choose to avenge him for what Saul was doing to him, he himself would not do so. He assured him that whatever happened in the future his hand would not come against him in treachery. <\/p>\n There can be no question but that David was revealing a magnanimity and generosity that was beyond that of ordinary men. He was showing in practise what Jesus would later teach, a love for his enemy, even though in fact in his case it was limited to Saul and was because Saul was YHWH’s anointed. Thus it was as much a manifestation of his love and regard for YHWH as for Saul. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:13<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> As says the proverb of the ancients, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be upon you.” <\/p>\n He then cited a proverb in order to prove that there was no wickedness in his heart. For, he pointed out, had he been wicked he would have behaved wickedly, and would have smitten him. But all could testify that he had refrained from laying his hand on him, and he wanted him to be assured that he never would. On the other hand let Saul consider what his (Saul’s) behaviour revealed about him. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:14<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea.” <\/p>\n Furthermore he wanted King Saul recognise who it was to whom he was doing all this. Did he not realise that it was not to anyone of great importance. What Saul as the exalted King of Israel was chasing was simply someone who was the equivalent of a dead dog, or even lower still, of a flea from the dead dog’s back. Why then was he behaving in this way towards him? Was a flea really worth all this trouble? In a sense he was probing Saul as to why he was hunting him. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:15<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> YHWH therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.” <\/p>\n And finally he put his case in YHWH’s hands. He was quite content that YHWH would judge and give sentence between them, and see and plead David’s cause and deliver him from Saul’s hand. He was ready to leave everything in YHWH’s hands. And the point is that these were not just smooth words. He really meant it. There can be no doubt that David’s powerful plea was a test of Saul’s heart, and that he was seeking a genuine response from Saul. He longed for Saul to truly repent and take him back again on the old terms. But in the end it failed because Saul’s heart was shallow and finally unresponsive. All this was thus a further manifestation of Saul’s inability to truly repent. <\/p>\n Saul’s Response. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:16<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And it came about that, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.’ <\/p>\n It will be noted that while in his response Saul made the right noises, and indeed called him ‘my son’ and wept to think of the magnanimity of what David had done, he still made clear that he saw David as his rival and even as his enemy. He acknowledged that David had been magnanimous, but it was not with a magnanimity that drew out his heart. He made no attempt at an offer of reconciliation. Rather there was a recognition on his part of what must always be a barrier between them, who would inherit the kingship. What David had done in showing compassion to him had even caused him to weep. But it did not cause in him a melting of their differences. He still intended to keep David at arm’s length, for he could not forgive him for being his family’s rival. So there was no rapprochement, no happy reunion. That is why after this incident they both went their ways rather than coming together again. It was because Saul’s heart was too hardened for him to be able to accept God’s verdict, and both of them knew it. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:17<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ‘<\/strong> And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.” <\/p>\n Saul acknowledged that David had behaved the better and was the more righteous man, because David had offered him mercy when all he would have offered David was death. David had offered good, where he would have offered evil. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:18<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> And you have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, forasmuch as when YHWH had delivered me up into your hand, you did not kill me.” <\/p>\n He had to admit the fact that David’s own words revealed that when he had had Saul at his mercy he had spared him, even when it must have appeared to everyone as though YHWH had delivered him into his hands. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:19<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? Wherefore YHWH reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.” <\/p>\n He also showed himself as equally adept at citing proverbs. ‘If a man finds his enemy, will he let him go well away?’ The expected answer would be ‘no’, and yet David had answered ‘yes’. So he called on YHWH to reward him with good for the mercy that he had shown to Saul that day. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:20<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> And now, see, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.” <\/p>\n And then he made clear why there could be no rapprochement between them. It was because he knew that David would take the kingship away from his own family. The kingdom, which was not to be established in his hand as Samuel had informed him (1Sa 13:14<\/span>), was to be established in David’s hand <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:21<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n “<\/strong> Swear now therefore unto me by YHWH, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.” <\/p>\n David’s act of pure mercy towards him had moved Saul enough for him to be able to contemplate for a short while the possibility that his family would lose the kingship after his death. The sentiment would not last for long, but while it did Saul pleaded for the lives of his descendants. It was normal practise for the king of a new dynasty to slaughter all the members of a deposed king in order to ensure that none later arose to claim the succession. Saul was asking David to swear by YHWH that if he became king he would not indulge himself in such behaviour, but would instead be merciful. <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:22<\/strong><\/span> a <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n ‘And David swore to Saul.’ <\/p>\n It was not difficult for David to comply with Saul’s request, because nothing was further from his mind than the slaughter of Saul’s descendants. Thus he gladly swore to Saul that he would not deliberately harm his family. And he kept his word, for while circumstances (and especially Abner, Saul’s uncle), would later force him to fight with Ishbosheth’s men, it was more Abner’s doing than his (2Sa 2:8-12<\/span>; 2Sa 3:6<\/span>). In the case of Mephibosheth. Jonathan’s son, he not only did not act against him, but took him under his protection and favoured him (2 Samuel 9<\/span>). <\/p>\n 1Sa 24:22<\/strong><\/span> b <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n ‘And Saul went home, but David and his men took themselves up to the stronghold.’ <\/p>\n Still moved by David’s magnanimity Saul returned to Gibeah with his troops, leaving David alone for a period, while David and his men remained in their strongpoint. Both knew that it was an uneasy truce, not a genuine reconciliation. There was no thought in Saul’s mind of David being restored to favour. He was probably unsure about what he would do. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong> David Protests his Innocence<\/p>\n v. 8. David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave,<\/strong> boldly taking this opportunity to defend himself against the slanders which filled Saul’s heart with mistrust against him, Psalms 7, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king!<\/strong> In these words he confesses himself bound to Saul as his subject and acknowledges him as the anointed of the Lord, who occupied his office by divine right. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself,<\/strong> his behavior thus corresponding to his address of Saul. <\/p>\n v. 9. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words,<\/strong> such as those of the men of Ziph and of Cush, the Benjamite, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<\/strong> David thus represented the entire situation as due to intriguing tongues. <\/p>\n v. 10. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how the Lord had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave,<\/strong> for so the incident clearly appeared; and some bade me kill thee,<\/strong> the temptation to kill Saul had been presented to David; 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. <\/strong> This fact David urged in his favor, first of all. <\/p>\n v. 11. Moreover, my father,<\/strong> as David calls Saul in pious reverence, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand,<\/strong> a bit of evidence which demonstrated how absolutely Saul had been in his power; 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,<\/strong> deliberate crime and wickedness, in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee,<\/strong> he could rightly protest his innocence; yet thou hunts my soul to take it,<\/strong> pursuing him like a dangerous animal through forests and over mountains. <\/p>\n v. 12. The Lord judge between me and thee,<\/strong> for to His decision David left the entire matter, and the Lord avenge me of thee,<\/strong> for this unwarranted persecution of David would not go unpunished, as he firmly believed; but mine hand shall not be upon thee,<\/strong> he would not seek or take his own revenge. <\/p>\n v. 13. As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeded from the wicked; but mine hand shall not be upon thee. <\/strong> A wicked and godless person might have embraced the opportunity to take revenge, but David had purposely refrained from doing so. And David finally urged that Saul’s conduct was foolish and inconsistent with royal dignity. <\/p>\n v. 14. After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog,<\/strong> who could no longer bite and bother people, after a flea,<\/strong> at best poor game for a royal hunter. David stressed his insignificance and harmlessness, for he neither had the desire nor was he in a position to work the king harm. <\/p>\n v. 15. The Lord, therefore,<\/strong> because David was innocent and because Saul’s persecution was foolish, be judge,<\/strong> and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand,<\/strong> to be freed from the persecution of Saul by the justice of God. David here is an example to all children of God, showing what love of the enemy means. Like him, Christians should spare their enemies and reward them good for evil. <\/p>\nFuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou mens 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 Lords anointed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\nFuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n