1 Samuel 24:18 NVT

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

I. Saul's penitent reply to David's speech. It was strange that he had patience to hear him out, considering how outrageous he was against him, and how cutting David's discourse was. But God restrained him and his men; and we may suppose Saul struck with amazement at the singularity of the event, and much more when he found how much he had lain at David's mercy. His heart must have been harder than a stone if this had not affected him. 1. He melted into tears, and we will not suppose them to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:18

And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me ,.... The cutting off of the skirt of his robe only, when his life was in his hand, was a clear proof and full demonstration of his dealing well with him, and might sufficiently convince him he had no ill design upon him: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not ; this was a plain proof and evidence of his kindness to him, which he owns, and also the providence of God in this... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

Tenderness transitory and truth suppressed. The facts are— 1 . Saul, subdued by the magnanimity of David, weeps and admits his own wrong in contrast with David's kindness. 2 . Acknowledging his belief that David is to be king, he pleads with him to be merciful to his seed. 3 . David, granting the request, returns to his stronghold, and Saul to his home. Good actions soon begin to authenticate their Divine mission in the world. The noble self-vindication from the calumnies of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:17-19

1 Samuel 24:17-19. Thou art more righteous than I He ingenuously acknowledges David’s integrity and his own iniquity. If a man find his enemy, will he let him go? That is, he will certainly destroy him to save himself. Thy behaviour, therefore, shows that thou hast no enmity to me. Wherefore the Lord reward thee good Because he thought himself not able to recompense so great a favour, he prays God to recompense it. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Saul’s fierce hunt (23:1-24:22)Since Abiathar had brought with him the high priest’s ephod (containing the Urim and Thummim), David was able to ask and receive God’s direct guidance. God’s first direction was to rescue the Israelite town of Keilah from the raiding Philistines (23:1-6). As soon as he had defeated the Philistines, David withdrew from Keilah. He knew that Saul’s army was larger and better equipped than his. He knew also that he could not trust the people of Keilah to stand with... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

3. David’s goodness to two fools chs. 24-26". . . chapters 24-26 form a discrete literary unit within 1 Samuel. Chapters 24 and 26 are virtually mirror images of each other, beginning with Saul’s receiving a report about David’s latest hiding place (1 Samuel 24:1; 1 Samuel 26:1), focusing on David’s refusal to lift a hand against Saul, ’the Lord’s anointed’ (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 24:10; 1 Samuel 26:11), and concluding with the words of a remorseful Saul and his returning home from his pursuit... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

David’s promise not to cut off Saul’s descendants and name 24:16-22David’s words and actions convicted Saul of his actions (1 Samuel 24:17), and the king wept tears of remorse (1 Samuel 24:16). He referred to David as his "son" (1 Samuel 24:16), as David had earlier called Saul his "father" (1 Samuel 24:11). Saul confessed David’s superior righteousness (1 Samuel 24:17) and goodness (1 Samuel 24:18). There is no more powerful tribute than one that comes from an adversary. Saul even called on... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

David spares Saul’s Life at EngediWe have a similar incident narrated in 1 Samuel 26, and some critics hold that the two are merely varying accounts of the same event. But it. is to be noticed that almost every detail that could vary, does vary. Nor is there any difficulty in supposing that David spared Saul’s life twice.2. Rocks of the wild goats] Some cliffs near Engedi, so called because wild goats congregated there. They are still numerous in this district. 3. Sheepcotes] These were rough,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

A Providence Or a Temptation? 1 Samuel 24:10 The touching and picturesque incident here related is an extract from the life of an outlaw. It took place amid the wild deep ravines that overhang the oasis of Engedi. This spot, situate about halfway down the western shore of the Dead Sea, owes its name, as it does its luxuriant growth of vegetation, to a fountain which rises from the limestone rock and falls in long silver ribbands to the sloping plain below. There were many reasons why David... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

CHAPTER XXXI.DAVID TWICE SPARES THE LIFE OF SAUL.1 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Samuel 26:1-25.THE invasion of the Philistines had freed David from the fear of Saul for a time, but only for a time. He knew full well that when the king of Israel had once repelled that invasion he would return to prosecute the object on which his heart was so much set. For a while he took refuge among the rocks of Engedi, that beautiful spot of which we have already spoken, and which has been embalmed in Holy Writ, as... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:18

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:17-19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 24:16-22

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

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