4 The men of David said to him, "Behold , this is the day of which the Lord said to you, 'Behold ; I am about to give your enemy into your hand , and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.' " Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul's robe secretly . 5 It came about afterward e that David's conscience bothered him because e he had cut off the edge of Saul's robe. 6 So he said to his men , " Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord , the Lord'S anointed , to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord'S anointed ." 7 David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul . And Saul arose , left the cave , and went on his way . 8 Now afterward e David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul , saying , "My lord the king !" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
9 David said to Saul , "Why do you listen to the words of men , saying , 'Behold , David seeks to harm you'? 10 " Behold , this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave , and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said , 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord , for he is the Lord'S anointed .' 11 "Now, my father , see ! Indeed , see the edge of your robe in my hand ! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands , and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it. 12 " May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13 "As the proverb of the ancients says , ' Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness '; but my hand shall not be against you. 14 "After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing ? A dead dog , a single flea ? 15 " The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand ."
16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul , Saul said , " Is this your voice , my son David ?" Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept . 17 He said to David , "You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:4-17
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:1-7
(Read 1 Samuel 24:1-7)
God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul any hurt. Sin is a thing which it becomes us to startle at, and to resist temptations thereto. He not only would not do this bad thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it. Thus he rendered good for evil, to him from whom he received evil for good; and was herein an example to all who are called Christians, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:8-15
(Read 1 Samuel 24:8-15)
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.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:16-22
(Read 1 Samuel 24:16-22)
Saul speaks as quite overcome with David's kindness. Many mourn for their sins, who do not truly repent of them; weep bitterly for them, yet continue in love and in league with them. Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the light, Psalm 37:6. Those who take care to keep a good conscience, may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. Sooner or later, God will force even those who are of the synagogue of Satan to know and to own those whom he has loved. They parted in peace. Saul went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of his envy to David, yet retaining in his breast that root of bitterness; vexed that when at last he had found David, he could not find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. Malice often seems dead when it is only asleep, and will revive with double force. Yet, whether the Lord bind men's hands, or affect their hearts, so that they do not hurt us, the deliverance is equally from him; it is an evidence of his love, and an earnest of our salvation, and should make us thankful.