1 Samuel 24:20

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 24:20

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king ,.... Not merely by the common report, that he was anointed by Samuel, to which yet he might give credit; but by the providence of God prospering and preserving him, and by his princely spirit and behaviour, and by calling to mind what Samuel had said to him, that his kingdom should be given to a neighbour of his better than he, and so David was by his own confession, 1 Samuel 24:17 ; and the cutting off the skirt of his garment... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:20

I know well that thou shalt surely be king - Hebrew, Reigning, thou shalt reign. He knew this before; and yet he continued to pursue him with the most deadly hatred. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:20-22

I know well that thou shalt surely be king. Jonathan had expressed a similar conviction ( 1 Samuel 23:17 ), and probably there was a growing popular belief that David was the person in whom Samuel's prophetic words ( 1 Samuel 15:28 ) were to be fulfilled. Something may even have been known of the selection of David and his anointing at Bethlehem; not perhaps by the king, but in an indistinct way by the people. As for Saul himself, he must long have felt that God's blessing had departed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:20-21

1 Samuel 24:20-21 . And now I know well that thou shalt surely be king These wonderful dispensations of Divine Providence over David, and David’s no less wonderful virtue, at last convinced Saul that God designed him to be the king of his people, and that none could hinder his establishment. That thou wilt not destroy my name, &c. As it was usual for kings to do in those days, generally destroying the families of those to whose thrones they were advanced. 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 24:20

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 24:20-22

1 Samuel 24:20-22. I know well that thou shalt surely be king— He knew this, says St. Chrysostom, from David's manners, from his kingly virtues, as well as his uncommon success; but, above all, he knew his divine designation to the throne. Saul, says Dr. Trapp, being melted by those coals of kindness which David had heaped upon his head, poureth out himself in a flood of passions, and, for the present, spake as he thought. But good thoughts make a thoroughfare only of wicked hearts: they stay... 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

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