1 Samuel 24:21

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 24:21

Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord ,.... By the Word of the Lord, as the, Targum: that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me ; as was usually done in despotic governments in the eastern countries, and is at this day, when one is advanced to the throne of another, by whom issue is left, who may be rivals and competitors with him: and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house ; by cutting off his seed, the same thing in different words repeated, for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:21

Swear now - Saul knew that an oath would bind David, though it was insufficient to bind himself; see 1 Samuel 19:6 . He had sworn to his son Jonathan that David should not be slain; and yet sought by all means in his power to destroy him! 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:21

Swear now ... - The same request which Jonathan made 1 Samuel 20:15. The deep, genealogical feeling of the Israelites breaks out here as so often elsewhere. 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

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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