1 Samuel 24:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:9-15

We have here David's warm and pathetic speech to Saul, wherein he endeavours to convince him that he did him a great deal of wrong in persecuting him thus and to persuade him therefore to be reconciled. I. He calls him father (1 Sam. 24:11), for he was not only, as king, the father of his country, but he was, in particular, his father-in-law. From a father one may expect compassion and a favourable opinion. For a prince to seek the ruin of any of his good subjects is as unnatural as for a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:12

The Lord judge between me and thee ,.... And make it appear who is in the right, and who in the wrong: and the Lord avenge me of thee ; if he continued thus to persecute him: but mine hand shall not be upon thee ; to kill thee, though it may be in my power again to do it, as it has been; but this I am determined upon, let me suffer what I will, I will not lay hands on thee to do thee any hurt, but leave thee with God to requite all the evil done to me by thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:12

The Lord judge between me and thee - Appeals of this kind to God are the common refuge of the poor and oppressed people. So also among the Hindoos: God will judge between us. Mother Kalee will judge. Sometimes this springs from a consciousness of innocence, and sometimes from a desire of revenge. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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 Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 24:12

1 Samuel 24:12. The Lord judge, &c.— These words, spoken by David to Saul, when it was in his power to have taken his life, most men will admit, did not imply that David wished or desired that God would revenge him upon Saul, but was a declaration, from the spirit of prophesy, that GOD would do it. But these expressions are so frequent in Scripture, and with such circumstances and aggravations, that many do believe that they are literally intended; and though it has been otherwise enjoined... 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 24:8-15

David’s verbal defense to Saul 24:8-15The object lesson that David presented to Saul had a double application. David proved that he was not trying to kill Saul, because Saul was the Lord’s anointed. Furthermore he showed that it was inappropriate for Saul to seek to kill him because he, too, was the Lord’s anointed, as Saul now knew (1 Samuel 24:20). David modeled for Saul what the king’s dealings with him should have been."Our tendency is to say, ’Oh, just leave it alone. It’ll all work out.’... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:9-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:12

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:8-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:11-13

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 24:12

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 24:8-15

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