1 Samuel 24:6 ESV

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - 1 Samuel 24:1-7

Saul in the Cave v. 1. And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, just as soon as he had repulsed the invaders, made them desist from their raid, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the Wilderness of Engedi, where the many caves in the limestone hills offered excellent places for concealment. v. 2. Then Saul, still filled with the same bloodthirstiness which had brought him to the Wilderness of Maon, took three thousand chosen men out of all... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

VI. David in the Wilderness of Engedi. He spares Saul in the cave. His conversation with SaulChap. 24. [Eng. A. V. 1 Samuel 23:29 to 1 Samuel 24:22]29(1) And David went up from thence and dwelt in [ins. the] strongholds at [of] 1(2) Engedi.1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness 2(3) of Engedi. Then [And] Saul took three thousand chosen men [men chosen] out of all Israel; and went to seek... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 1 Samuel 24:4-17

1 Samuel LOVE FOR HATE, THE TRUE QUID PRO QUO 1Sa_24:4 - 1Sa_24:17 . A sudden Philistine invasion had saved David, when hard pressed by Saul, and had given him the opportunity of flight to the wild country on the west of the Dead Sea, near the place where En-Gedi ‘the Fountain of the Wild Goat’ sparkles into light on the hill above the weird lake. In these savage gorges Saul’s three thousand men would be of little use against the light-footed outlaw and his troop. The whole district is... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-15

Returning Good for Evil 1 Samuel 24:1-15 Engedi is situated on the western shore of the Dead Sea. As Saul entered the cave, a very insidious temptation presented itself to David. Why not rid the kingdom of this cruel and oppressive monarch? Would it not confer a public benefit? Had not Samuel promised David the kingdom? Even if he himself did not strike the blow, why not let his men, who were not so squeamish, do so!But the man of God must not yield to such suggestions. He insisted on... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

At last Saul was in David's power. It would have been perfectly easy for him to have taken his life. He did not do so, but, withholding his hand, uttered a strong protest against Saul's persecution. There is the passion of the true poet in the wording of the protest, and the changing moods of the human heart are manifest as it proceeds. Beginning with the judicial statement of his innocence of all evil intention, he merged into pleading tones in which memories of old and happier days are... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:1-7

Saul Unwittingly Puts Himself At David’s Mercy (1 Samuel 24:1-7 ). Even in Engedi David was not safe from a vengeful Saul, for once he had driven back the Philistines, Saul gathered three thousand of Israel’s best fighting men and made tracks for Engedi, in order to finally finish him off. Yet there he was able to find no trace of David, because the huge caves provided adequate shelter, and there were too many to search in safety. As he and his men looked them over their empty mouths must... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

1 Samuel 24. David Spares Saul at Engedi (E).— Chs. 24 and 26 give two versions of the same story, located at different places. Probably both versions are early. It is not clear which is the earlier, but it is often considered that 26 has the more primitive flavour. It is not necessary to suppose that either story has been developed from the other; they are probably independent developments from the actual facts. 1 Samuel 24:1-Judges : . Saul resumes the pursuit of David; under the stress of... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 24:6

He said unto his men; either, first, Before he cut off Saul’s lap. Or rather, secondly, Afterwards, when he returned with Saul’s lap in his hand, and his soldiers were enraged that he had not killed him. This thing which you persuade me to do, even cut off Saul. Unto my master, whom I must still own for my sovereign lord and king, to whom I owe allegiance whilst he lives, although after his death the right of the kingdom be mine. To stretch forth mine hand against him, to wit, to kill him. A... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-7

CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES—1 Samuel 24:2 “Rocks of the wild goats,” or ibex-rocks. Probably not a name for any particular rock, but a general term applied to the locality on account of the number of ibexes, or wild goats, found there.1 Samuel 24:3. “Sheepcotes.” These are still to be seen at the mouth of the caves in this region, and are made by piling up stones in a circle and covering them with thorns. “To cover his feet,” i.e., to obey a call of nature, when Orientals usually cover their... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - 1 Samuel 24:4-6

DISCOURSE: 305DAVID’S FORBEARANCE TOWARDS SAUL1 Samuel 24:4-6. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my... read more