"And David went up
and dwelt in the strongholds of Engedi." Saul
pursues him thither, after following the Philistines,
more occupied with his jealousy of the king whom God had
chosen than with the enemies of his people. But this
expedition is not to his honour. An opportunity to kill
his persecutor presents itself to David; but the fear of
God rules him, and even Saul's heart is touched for the
moment by a preservation which proved that David
respected him in a way he had not imagined. He sees
clearly what the result will be, and engages David to
protect his posterity; but David does not return to Saul.
The relationship was broken.
1 Samuel 24 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
"And David went up and dwelt in the strongholds of Engedi." Saul pursues him thither, after following the Philistines, more occupied with his jealousy of the king whom God had chosen than with the enemies of his people. But this expedition is not to his honour. An opportunity to kill his persecutor presents itself to David; but the fear of God rules him, and even Saul's heart is touched for the moment by a preservation which proved that David respected him in a way he had not imagined. He sees clearly what the result will be, and engages David to protect his posterity; but David does not return to Saul. The relationship was broken.