David regrets cutting off part of Saul's robe; He spares his life |
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David regrets cutting off part of Saul's robe; He spares his life |
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1 Sam. 23:29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt
in strong holds at Engedi.
.1 ¶ And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. .3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 1 -Engedi An oasis area on the shores of the Dead Sea. Today known as Ain Jidi. 2 - Rocks of the wild goats Some of the eroded rocks in the area above Engedi are essentially impossible to penetrate but a road passed through the area. 3 -Sheepcotes Cotes are enclosures of stones and thorny brush normally near caves. Shepherds use them for protection against theft and animals. 3 - Cover his feet That is, to relieve his bowels. 4 - The Lord said This is the only record of this prophecy. 4 - David cut off The Lord may have closed Saul's eyes to this act. Image
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| 5 And it came to pass afterward,
that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. .8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. |
6 - Stretch forth ... against him We also must fear to hurt or slander those whom God has appointed. | |
| 9 ¶ And David said to
Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh
thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. .11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. |
10 - Kill thee The Spirit that was in David's heart is far different from what some teach about the God of the OT (Old Testament). | |
| .12
The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but
mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. .14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. .15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. |
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- The Lord judge See on ps00703.
14 - After a flea David's statement emphasized his own smallness. Catching fleas, however, is not a bit easy. |
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| 16 ¶ And it came to pass,
when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul
said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and
wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. 19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. |
19 - Lord reward thee Saul had spoken more harshly to those of his own tribe who could not provide information about where David was 1sa2208. Saul will one day stand before the Lord of heaven and earth. | |
| 21 Swear now therefore unto
me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou
wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold. |
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