16 And it cometh to pass, when David completeth to speak these words unto Saul, that Saul saith, 'Is this thy voice, my son David?' and Saul lifteth up his voice, and weepeth. 17 And he saith unto David, 'More righteous thou 'art' than I; for thou hast done me good, and I have done thee evil; 18 and thou hast declared to-day how that thou hast done good with me, how that Jehovah shut me up into thy hand, and thou didst not slay me, 19 and that a man doth find his enemy, and hath sent him away in a good manner; and Jehovah doth repay thee good for that which thou didst to me this day. 20 'And, now, lo, I have known that thou dost certainly reign, and the kingdom of Israel hath stood in thy hand; 21 and, now, swear to me by Jehovah—thou dost not cut off my seed after me, nor dost thou destroy my name from the house of my father.' 22 And David sweareth to Saul, and Saul goeth unto his house, and David and his men have gone up unto the fortress.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:16-22
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.