6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord."

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 24:6

King James Version

6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

English Standard Version

6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed."

The Message

6 He said to his men, "God forbid that I should have done this to my master, God's anointed, that I should so much as raise a finger against him. He's God's anointed!"

New King James Version

6 And he said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord."

New Living Translation

6 He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn't attack the Lord 's anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:6

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.

7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

Other Translations of 1 Samuel 24:7

King James Version

7 So David stayed stayed: Heb. cut off his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

English Standard Version

7 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

The Message

7 David held his men in check with these words and wouldn't let them pounce on Saul. Saul got up, left the cave, and went on down the road.

New King James Version

7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

New Living Translation

7 So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:7

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.