1 Samuel 24:12-13 NVIPT

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:13

As saith the proverb of the ancients ,.... It is an old saying, has been long in use, and may be applied to the present case; or the "proverb of the ancient one"; of the oldest man, the first man Adam, and of all others after him, so Kimchi; or of the Ancient One of the world, the Ancient of days, the Lord himself; so in the Talmud F4 T. Bab. Maccot, fol. 10. 2. : wickedness proceedeth from the wicked ; as is a man, so are his actions; if he is a wicked man, he will do wicked... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:13

Wickedness proceeded from the wicked - This proverb may be thus understood: He that does a wicked act, gives proof thereby that he is a wicked man. From him who is wicked, wickedness will proceed; he who is wicked will add one iniquity to another. Had I conspired to dethrone thee, I should have taken thy life when it was in my power, and thus added wickedness to wickedness. 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

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

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