1 Samuel 24:11-15 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:8-15

Discrimination in relation to men, truth, and vocation. The facts are— 1 . David follows Saul out of the cave and pays him homage. 2 . He remonstrates against Saul heeding the lies of slanderers, and declares to him how he had just spared his life. 3 . Exhibiting the skirt of the robe in evidence of his words, and appealing to God, he protests his innocence of purpose. 4 . He, while admitting his own insignificance, commends his cause to the justice of God, and prays for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:11-13

My father. David thus salutes Saul not because he was actually his father-in-law, but as a title indicative of the respect due from an inferior to his superior ( 2 Kings 5:13 ). So David calls himself Nabal's son ( 1 Samuel 25:8 ). In the rest of the verse he contrasts his refusal to slay Saul, when it might have seemed as if it were Providence that had put him into his power, with Saul's determined pursuit of him. Thou huntest my soul to take it. Thou perpetually usest every artifice... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:14-15

Finally, David makes a pathetic appeal to Saul, contrasting him in his grandeur as the king of Israel with the fugitive whom he so relentlessly persecuted. In calling himself a dead dog he implies that he was at once despicable and powerless. Even more insignificant is a flea , Hebrew, "one flea," "a single flea." The point is lost by omitting the numeral. David means that it is unworthy of a king to go forth with 3000 men to hunt a single flea. As the king's conduct is thus both unjust... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:11

My father - The respectful address of a junior and an inferior (see 2 Kings 5:13, and compare 1 Samuel 24:16; 1 Samuel 25:8). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:14

After whom ... - i. e., was it consistent with the dignity of the king of Israel to lead armies in pursuit of a weak and helpless individual like David? read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:10-12

1 Samuel 24:10-12. Mine eye spared thee A phrase signifying the taking pity on those whom we have it in our power to hurt. The eye is said to spare, because it affects the heart, and induces a person to spare. Moreover, my father Such he was through David’s marriage of his daughter. The Lord avenge me of thee Rather, will avenge me; that is, vindicate and deliver me from thy violent and unjust persecution. For he does not, in these words, pray God to punish Saul for the injuries he... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:13

1 Samuel 24:13. Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked That is, men may be known by their actions; wicked men will do wicked actions; among which, this is one, to kill their sovereign lord and king; and, therefore, if I were so wicked a person as I am represented by thy courtiers to be, I should now have shown it, I should have made no conscience of laying violent hands upon thee. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:14-15

1 Samuel 24:14-15. After whom is the king of Israel come out? David here employs every persuasive art to move Saul. He represents himself in as contemptible a light as possible; that he might convince Saul it was not for his honour to take so much pains to kill him, if he could do it. The Lord, therefore, be judge He thought he could not repeat this too often, that as he had done hitherto, so he still resolved hereafter, to leave it to God to judge which of them was in the right, and not... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 24:13

Wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. reed'. See App-44 . Compare "evil", 1 Samuel 24:11 . proceedeth . Figure of speech Paroemia. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:8-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:11-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:14-15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:10-12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:13

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:14-15

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 24:13

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