1 Samuel 24 – When Revenge Is Within Reach

Translation & Sermon by Nate Wilson for Christ The Redeemer Church, Manhattan, KS, 22 Aug. 2021

Introduction

Why Not Take Revenge?

1) He must respect and submit to the Lord's appointed authority:

2) A second reason David considered it wrong to assassinate Saul was that He was not to take personal revenge, because that is God's job (v.12),

3) A third reason David knew it would be wrong to assassinate Saul was that if David killed the king, all Israel would think that he really DID have a conspiracy going and was not gaining the throne appropriately. Then they might think it fitting to turn around and assassinate David next!

What Should We Do Instead of Taking Vengeance?

1) Put faith in God’s justice.

2) A second thing that David models for us instead of revenge is to Make an Appeal:

CONCLUSION

1) Vengeance belongs to the Lord,

2) He, as an agent of God’s justice, could not kill innocent people,

3) It would not fit the way God did things. God APPOINTED Saul for leadership and God ANOINTED David to follow; therefore God himself was behind both men and was orchestrating the turnover, and

4) If God had raised Saul up, it would disrespect God to kill Saul's family, and if God was raising David up, David had faith in God that He was more powerful than any human, therefore, he had no reason to fear retaliation from Saul's family if descendants were left. With God, there is PEACE!

1 Samuel 24 - Side-by side comparison of versionsA

LXX

Brenton

DRB

KJV

NAW

MT

1 Καὶ ἀνέβη Δαυιδ ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς στενοῖςB Εγγαδδι.

1 And David rose up from thence, and dwelt in the narrow passes of Engaddi.

1 Then David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds of Engaddi.

23:29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

23:29 Then David went up from there and settled in the strongholds of Ein-Gedi.

1 וַיַּעַל דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיֵּשֶׁב בִּמְצָדוֹת עֵין-גֶּדִי:

2 καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς ἀνέστρεψεν Σαουλ ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ ἀπηγγέλη αὐτῷ λεγόντων ὅτι Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Εγγαδδι.

2 And it came to pass when Saul returned from pursuing after the Philistines, that it was reported to him, saying, X David is in the wilderness of Engaddi.

2 And when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, they told him, saying: Behold, David is in the desert of Engaddi.

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.

1 Meanwhile, as Saul was returning from [going] after the Philistines, men communicated with him saying, “Look, David is in the wilderness of Ein-Gedi!”

2 וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁב שָׁאוּל מֵאַחֲרֵי פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּגִּדוּ לוֹ לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד בְּמִדְבַּר עֵין גֶּדִי: ס

3 καὶ ἔλαβεν X μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ τρεῖς χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν ἐκλεκτοὺς ἐκ παντὸς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπορεύθη ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον Σαδαιεμ.C

3 And he took with him three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of Saddaeem.

3 Saul, therefore, took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went [out] to seek after David and his men, even upon the [most] craggy rocks, [which are accessible only] to wild goats.

2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon XD the rocks of the wild goats.

2 So Saul took three thousand men chosen out of all the men of Israel, and he went to seek out David and his men on the surface of the landmark-rocks of the mountain-goats.

3 וַיִּקַּח שָׁאוּל שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ בָּחוּר מִכָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת-דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עַל-פְּנֵי צוּרֵי הַיְּעֵלִיםE:

4 καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὰς ἀγέλας τῶν ποιμνίων τὰς ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ σπήλαιον, καὶ Σαουλ εἰσῆλθεν παρασκευάσασ­θαιF· καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐσώτερον τοῦ σπηλαίου ἐκάθηντο.

4 And he came to the flocks of sheep that were by the way, and there was a cave there; and Saul went in to make preparation, and David and his men were sitting in the inner part of the cave.

4 And he came to the sheepcotes which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay [hid] in the inner part of the cave.

3 And he came to the sheepcotesG by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feetH: and David and his men remainedI in the sidesJ of the cave.

3 Presently he came to the enclosures for sheep on the way, and there was a cave, so Saul went in to use it as a rest­room, Meanwhile, David and his men were settled in the far reaches of the cave.

4 וַיָּבֹאK אֶל- גִּדְרוֹת הַצֹּאן עַל- הַדֶּרֶךְ וְשָׁם מְעָרָה וַיָּבֹא שָׁאוּל לְהָסֵךְ אֶת-רַגְלָיוL וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו בְּיַרְכְּתֵי הַמְּעָרָה יֹשְׁבִיםM:

5 καὶ εἶπον οἱ ἄνδρες Δαυιδ πρὸς αὐτόν Ἰδοὺ ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη, ἣν εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς σὲ X παραδοῦναι τὸν ἐχθρόν σου εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτῷ ὡς ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου. καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ ἀφεῖλεν τὸ πτερύγιον τῆς διπλοίδοςN τῆς Σαουλ λαθραίως.

5 And the men of David said to him, Behold, this is the day of which the Lord spoke to thee, X [that he would] deliver thine enemy into thy hand[s]O; and thou shalt do to him as it is good in thy sight. So David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's garment secretly.

5 And the servants of David said to him: Behold the day, of which the Lord said to thee: X I will deliver thy enemy unto X thee, that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good in thy eyes. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

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 XP thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirtQof Saul's robe privilyR.

4 Then David’s men said to him, “Look! Today is when Yahweh has said to you, ‘Look I am giving your enem{y} into your control, and you shall do to him according to what is good in your eyes!’” And David got up quietly and cut off a flap of the tunic which belonged to Saul.

5 וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי דָוִד אֵלָיו הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר-אָמַר יְהוָה אֵלֶיךָ הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן אֶת- אֹיְבֵיךָS בְּיָדֶךָ וְעָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִטַב בְּעֵינֶיךָ וַיָּקָם דָּוִד וַיִּכְרֹת אֶת-כְּנַף- הַמְּעִילT אֲשֶׁר- לְשָׁאוּל בַּלָּטU:

6 καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἐπάταξενV καρδία Δαυιδ αὐτόν, ὅτι ἀφεῖλεν τὸ πτερύγιον [τῆς διπλοίδος] αὐτοῦ,

6 And it came to pass after this that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off the skirt of his [garment].

6 X After which X David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the hem X of Saul's [robe].

5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off X Saul's skirtW.

5 It was only after this that David’s heart struck him over when he had cut off the flap {of the tunic} which belonged to Saul.

6 וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי-כֵן וַיַּךְ לֵב-דָּוִד אֹתוֹ עַל אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת אֶת-כָּנָףX אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל: ס

7 καὶ εἶπεν [Δαυιδ] πρὸς τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ Μηδαμῶς μοι παρὰ κυρίου, εἰ ποιήσω τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ χριστῷ κυρίου ἐπενέγκαι χεῖρά μου ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν, ὅτι χριστὸς κυρίου ἐστὶν οὗτος·

7 And [David]Y said to his men, The Lord forbid it me, that I should do this thing to my lord X the anointed of the Lord, to lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.

7 And he said to his men: The Lord be merciful unto me, that I may do no such thing to my master, X the Lord's anointed, [as] to lay my hand upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed.

6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid X X that I should do this thing unto my master,X the LORD's anoint­ed, to stretch forthZ mine hand against him, see­ing AA he is the anointed of the LORD.

6 Then he said to his men, “It was a disgrace to me from Yahweh that I should have done this thing to my master – to Yahweh’s anoint­ed one, by reaching my hand toward him, for he is Yahweh’s anointed one!”

7 וַיֹּאמֶר לַאֲנָשָׁיו חָלִילָה לִּי מֵיהוָה אִם-אֶעֱשֶׂה אֶת-הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לַאדֹנִי לִמְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה לִשְׁלֹחַ יָדִי בּוֹ כִּי-מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה הוּא:

8 καὶ ἔπεισενAB Δαυιδ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ ἐν X λόγοις καὶ οὐκ ἔδωκενAC αὐτοῖς ἀναστάντας θανατῶσαι τὸν Σαουλ. καὶ ἀνέστη Σαουλ X X X καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν ὁδόν.

8 So David persuaded his men by [his] words, and did not suffer them to arise [and] slay Saul: and Saul arose X X X and went X [his] way.

8 And David stopped his men with his words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul: but Saul, rising up out of the cave, X went on his way.

7 So David stayedAD his servants with these words, and sufferedAE them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

7 So David interrupted his men with these words and did not give them [permission] to rise up against Saul. Meanwhile, Saul got up out of the cave and went to the path.

8 וַיְשַׁסַּעAF דָּוִד אֶת-אֲנָשָׁיו בַּדְּבָרִים וְלֹא נְתָנָם לָקוּם אֶל-שָׁאוּל וְשָׁאוּל קָם מֵהַמְּעָרָה וַיֵּלֶךְ בַּדָּרֶךְ: ס

9 καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ X X ἐκ τοῦ σπηλαίου, καὶ ἐβόησεν [Δαυιδ] ὀπίσω Σαουλ λέγων Κύριε X βασιλεῦ· καὶ ἐπέβλεψεν Σαουλ [εἰς τὰ] ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔκυψεν Δαυιδ [ἐπὶ] πρόσωπον [αὐτοῦ] ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσ­εκύνησεν αὐτῷAG.

9 And David rose up and went after him out of the cave: and [David] cried after Saul, saying, My lord, O king! and Saul looked behind him, and David bowed [with his] face to the ground, and did obeisance to him.

9 And David also rose up after him: and going out of the cave, X cried after Saul, saying: My lord the king. And Saul looked behind him: and David bowing himself X down to the ground, X worshipped,

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 bowedAH himself.

8 Then David got up after him and went out of the cave and called out after Saul, saying, “My master the king!” And Saul peered behind him while David bowed nostrils earthward and prostrated himself.

9 וַיָּקָם דָּוִד אַחֲרֵי-כֵן וַיֵּצֵא מִן-הַמְּעָרָה וַיִּקְרָא אַחֲרֵי- שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּבֵּט שָׁאוּל אַחֲרָיו וַיִּקֹּד דָּוִד אַפַּיִם אַרְצָהAI וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ: ס

10 καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Σαουλ Ἵνα τί ἀκούεις τῶν λόγων τοῦ λαοῦ λεγόντων Ἰδοὺ Δαυιδ ζητεῖ τὴν ψυχήνAJ σου;

10 And David said to Saul, Why dost thou hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks thy life?

10 And X said to Saul: Why dost thou hear the words of men that say: X David seeketh thy hurt?

9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you give heed to the words of a man saying, ‘See, David seeks your harm!’?

10 וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל לָמָּה תִשְׁמַע אֶת-דִּבְרֵי אָדָםAK לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתֶךָ:

11 ἰδοὺ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ἑοράκασιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου ὡς παρέδωκέν σε κύριος σήμερον εἰς χεῖρά μου ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ, καὶ οὐκ ἠβουλήθην ἀποκτεῖναί σε καὶ ἐφεισάμην σου καὶ εἶπα Οὐκ ἐποίσω χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ κύριόν μου, ὅτι χριστὸς κυρίου οὗτός ἐστιν.

11 Behold, thine eyes have seen this day how that the Lord has delivered thee this day into my hand[s] in the cave; and I would not slay thee, but spared thee, and said, I will not lift up my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.

11 Behold this day thy eyes have seen, that the Lord hath delivered thee into my hand, in the cave, and I had a thought to kill thee, but my eye hath spared thee. For I said: I will not put out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord's anointed.

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 badeAL me kill thee: but mine eyeAM spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

10 Look, your eyes have seen this day that Yahweh gave you today into my control in the cave, and {I considered} assassinating you, but {I} had pity on you, and I said, “I will not reach out my hand against my master because he is the anointed one of Yahweh.

11 הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר-נְתָנְךָ יְהוָה הַיּוֹם בְּיָדִי בַּמְּעָרָה וְאָמַר לַהֲרָגֲךָ וַתָּחָס עָלֶיךָ וָאֹמַר לֹא-אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי בַּאדֹנִי כִּי-מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה הוּא:

12 X X X X καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ πτερύγιον τῆς διπλοίδος σου ἐν τῇ χειρί μου· [ἐγὼ] ἀφῄρηκα τὸ πτερύγιον X X καὶ οὐκ ἀπέκταγκά σε. [καὶ] γνῶθι καὶ ἰδὲ [σήμερον] ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κακία ἐν τῇ χειρί μου [οὐδὲ ἀσέβεια] καὶ ἀθέτησις, καὶ οὐχ ἡμάρτηκα εἰς σέ· καὶ σὺ δεσμεύειςAN τὴν ψυχήν μου λαβεῖν αὐτήν.

12 X X X X And behold, the skirt of thy mantle is in my hand, I cut off the skirt X X, and did not slay thee: know [then] and see [to-day], there is no evil in my hand, [nor impiety,] nor rebellion; and I have not sinned against thee, yet thou layest snares for my soul to take it.

12 Moreover, see and know, O my father, the hem of thy robe in my hand, that when I cut off the hem of thy robe, X I would not put [out my hand against] thee. Reflect, and see, that there is no evil in my hand, nor iniquity, neither have I sinned against thee: but thou liest in wait for my life, to take it away.

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 transgressionAO in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

11 Now, see, yes see the flap of your tunic in my hand that when I cut off the flap of your tunic and did not assassinate you, know and see that there is no evil or transgression on my hand, and I have not sinned against you, yet you are committing first-degree murder against my person to take me out.

12 וְאָבִי רְאֵהAP גַּם רְאֵה אֶת-כְּנַף מְעִילְךָ בְּיָדִי כִּי בְּכָרְתִי אֶת-כְּנַף מְעִילְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתִּיךָ דַּע וּרְאֵה כִּי אֵין בְּיָדִי רָעָהAQ וָפֶשַׁע וְלֹא-חָטָאתִי לָךְ וְאַתָּה צֹדֶהAR אֶת-נַפְשִׁי לְקַחְתָּהּ:

13 δικάσαι κύριος ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ, καὶ ἐκδικήσαι με κύριος ἐκ σοῦ· καὶ ἡ χείρ μου οὐκ ἔσται ἐπὶ σοί,

13 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord requite me on thyself: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

13 The Lord judge between me and thee and the Lord revenge me of thee: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh take revenge on you for me. Meanwhile my hand will not be against you.

13 יִשְׁפֹּט יְהוָה בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּנְקָמַנִי יְהוָה מִמֶּךָּ וְיָדִי לֹא תִהְיֶה-בָּךְ:

14 καθὼς λέγεται ἡ παραβολὴAS ἡ ἀρχαία Ἐξ ἀνόμων ἐξελεύσεται πλημμέλεια· καὶ ἡ χείρ μου οὐκ ἔσται ἐπὶ σέ.

14 As the old proverb says, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

14 As also it is said [in] the old proverb: From the wicked shall wickedness come forth: therefore my 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.

13 As the old proverb says, ‘It is out of wicked men that wickedness goes out.’ But my hand will not be against you.

14 כַּאֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר מְשַׁל הַקַּדְמֹנִיAT מֵרְשָׁעִים יֵצֵא רֶשַׁע וְיָדִי לֹא תִהְיֶה-בָּךְ:

15 [καὶ νῦν] ὀπίσω τίνος [σὺ] ἐκ­πορεύῃ, βασιλ­εῦ Ισραηλ; ὀπίσω τίνος καταδιώκ­εις σύ; ὀπίσω κυνὸς τεθνηκότος [καὶ] ὀπίσω ψύλλου ἑνός.

15 [And now] after whom dost [thou] come forth, O king of Israel? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, [and] after a flea?

15 After whom dost [thou] come out, O king of Israel? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea.

14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after aAU flea.

14 {Now,} after whom are {you,} the King of Israel coming out? {And} what are you chasing after? After a dead dog {or} after one flea?

15 אַחֲרֵי מִי יָצָאAV מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל AW אַחֲרֵי מִי אַתָּה רֹדֵף אַחֲרֵי כֶּלֶב מֵת AX אַחֲרֵי AYפַּרְעֹשׁ אֶחָד:

16 X γένοιτο κύριος εἰς κριτὴν καὶ δικαστὴν ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον σοῦ· X ἴδοι κύριος καὶ κρίναι τὴν κρίσιν μου καὶ δικάσαι μοι ἐκ χειρός σου.

16 The Lord be judge and umpire between me and thee, the Lord look upon and judge my cause, and rescue me out of thy hand.

16 Be the Lord judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and judge my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.

15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judgeAZ between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliverBA me out of thine hand.

15 Yahweh therefore will become ajudicator, and he will judge between me and you, and He will see and contend for my case, and He will bring justice for me out of your hand.”

16 וְהָיָה יְהוָה לְדַיָּן וְשָׁפַט בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וְיֵרֶא וְיָרֵב אֶת-רִיבִי וְיִשְׁפְּטֵנִי מִיָּדֶךָ: פ

17 καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς συνετέλεσεν Δαυιδ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα λαλῶν πρὸς Σαουλ, καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ Ἦ φωνή σου αὕτη, τέκνον X Δαυιδ; καὶ ἦρεν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ Σαουλ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν.

17 And it came to pass when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, X Son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 And when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, X Saul said: Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept:

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.

16 Now, as David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul then said, “Is that your voice, David, my son?” And Saul raised his voice and wept.

17 וַיְהִי כְּכַלּוֹת דָּוִד לְדַבֵּר אֶת-הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֶל-שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הֲקֹלְךָ זֶה בְּנִיBB דָוִד וַיִּשָּׂא שָׁאוּל קֹלוֹ וַיֵּבְךְּ:

18 καὶ εἶπεν [Σαου]λ πρὸς Δαυιδ Δίκαιος σὺ ὑπὲρ ἐμέ, ὅτι σὺ ἀνταπέδωκάς μοι ἀγαθά, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀνταπέδωκά σοι κακά.

18 And [Saul] said to David, Thou art more righteous that I, for thou hast recompensed me good, but I have recompensed thee evil.

18 And he said to David: Thou art more just than I: for thou hast done good to me, and I have rewarded thee with evil.

17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewardedBC me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evilBD.

17 And he said to David, “You are more righteous than me, because, in your case, you brought about an outcome for me that was good, where­as I, I brought about an outcome for you that was bad.

18 וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל-דָּוִד צַדִּיק אַתָּה מִמֶּנִּיBE כִּי אַתָּה גְּמַלְתַּנִי הַטּוֹבָה וַאֲנִי גְּמַלְתִּיךָ הָרָעָה:

19 καὶ σὺ ἀπ­ήγγειλάς [μοι]BF σήμερον ἃ ἐποίη­σάς μοι ἀγαθά, ὡς ἀπέκλεισέν με κύριος [σήμερονBG] εἰς χεῖράς σου καὶ οὐκ ἀπέκτεινάς με·

19 And thou hast told [me] to-day what good thou hast done me, how the Lord shut me up into thy hand[s to-day], and thou didst not slay me.

19 And thou hast shewed this day what good things thou hast done to me: how the Lord delivered me into thy hand, and thou hast not killed me.

18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch asBH when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

18 And you yourself have communicated {to me} today how you have done good to me – how Yahweh sequestered me into your control yet you did not assassinate me.

19 וְאַתְּהBI הִגַּדְתָּ הַיּוֹם אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עָשִׂיתָה אִתִּי טוֹבָה אֵתBJ אֲשֶׁר סִגְּרַנִי יְהוָה בְּיָדְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתָּנִי:

20 καὶ ὅτι εἰ εὕροιτό τις τὸν ἐχθρὸν αὐτοῦ [ἐν θλίψει] καὶ ἐκπέμψαι αὐτὸν ἐν ὁδῷ ἀγαθῇ, καὶ κύριος ἀνταποτείσει αὐτῷBK ἀγαθά, καθὼς πεποίηκας σήμερον X X X.

20 And if any one should find his enemy [in distress,] and should send him forth in a good way, then the Lord will reward him good, as thou has done this day X X X X.

20 X For who when he hath found his enemy, X will let him go well away? But the Lord reward thee for this good [turn], for what thou hast done to me this day.

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.

19 Now, if a man were to find his enemy, would he send him on down the road well-provisioned? Therefore may Yahweh reward you well for what you have done {} this day.

20 וְכִי-יִמְצָא אִישׁ אֶת-אֹיְבוֹ וְשִׁלְּחוֹ בְּדֶרֶךְ טוֹבָה וַיהוָה יְשַׁלֶּמְךָ טוֹבָה תַּחַתBL הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָה לִיBM:

21 καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ γινώσκω ὅτι βασιλεύων βασιλεύσεις καὶ στήσεται ἐν χερσίν σου βασιλεία Ισραηλ.

21 And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.

21 And now as I know that thou shalt surely be king, and have the kingdom of Israel in thy hand:

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.

20 And now, see, I know that you will certainly be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established under your control.

21 וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה יָדַעְתִּי כִּי מָלֹךְ תִּמְלוֹךְBN וְקָמָה בְּיָדְךָ מַמְלֶכֶת יִשְׂרָאֵלBO:

22 καὶ νῦν ὄμοσόν μοι ἐν κυρίῳ ὅτι οὐκ ἐξολεθρεύσεις τὸ σπέρμα μου ὀπίσω μου καὶ οὐκ ἀφανιεῖς τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ πατρός μου.

22 Now then swear to me by the Lord, that thou wilt not destroy my seed after me, that thou wilt not blot out my name from the house of my father.

22 X X Swear to me by the Lord, that thou wilt not destroy my seed after me, nor take away my name from the house of my father.

21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seedBP after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.

21 And now, swear to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from the household of my father.”

22 וְעַתָּה הִשָּׁבְעָה לִּי בַּיהוָה אִם- תַּכְרִית אֶת-זַרְעִי אַחֲרָי וְאִם- תַּשְׁמִיד אֶת-שְׁמִי מִבֵּית אָבִי:

23 καὶ ὤμοσεν Δαυιδ τῷ Σαουλ. καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Σαουλ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ, καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἀνέβησαν εἰςBQ τὴν [Μεσσαρα] στενήν.

23 So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold [of MesseraBR].

23 And David swore to Saul. So Saul went X X home: and David and his men went up into safer places.

22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went X X home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

22 So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

23 וַיִּשָּׁבַע דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל אֶל-בֵּיתוֹ וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עָלוּ עַל-הַמְּצוּדָה: פ


1Matthew Henry, John Gill, & Robert Jamieson were the only commentators I read who believed it meant to take a nap.

2Compare 23:4 כִּי־אֲנִי נֹתֵן אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים בְּיָדֶךָ׃
with 24:7 הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן אֶת- אֹיְבֵיךָ בְּיָדֶךָ

3“We read of those who believed in Christ, and yet ‘he did not commit himself to them because he knew all men.’” (John 2:24) ~M. Henry

4“But here this question will be moved, how David kept his oath, when as he caused the two sons of Rizpah Saul's concubine, and the five sons of his daughter to be hanged, because of the Gibeonites, 2. Sam. 21. To this the answer is readie, that David for his part was so minded, as much as in him lay, to keep this oath:* as may appear by the punishment which he took of them, that killed Ishbosheth Saul's son: but in this oath was to be excepted, unless God gave any special commandement to the contrarie, as he did in the cause of the Gibeonites: for David asked counsel of God, and followed the Lord’s direction in that action: Mar. neither did David voluntarily put them to death, but seven of Saul's sons were required by the Gibeonites, for oppression of whom the land was punished by famine: neither was Saul's posteritie utterly destroyed, for David had compassion on Mephibosheth Jonathan’s son.” ~Andrew Willett

AMy original chart includes the NASB and NIV, but their copyright restrictions have forced me to remove them from the publicly-available edition of this chart. I have included the ESV in footnotes when it employs a word not already used by the KJV, NASB, or NIV. (NAW is my translation.) When a translation adds words not in the Hebrew text, but does not indicate it has done so by the use of italics (or greyed-out text), I put the added words in [square brackets]. When one version chooses a wording which is different from all the other translations, I underline it. When a version chooses a translation which, in my opinion, either departs too far from the root meaning of the Hebrew word or departs too far from the grammar form of the original text, I use strikeout. And when a version omits a word which is in the original text, I insert an X. (I also place an X at the end of a word if the original word is plural but the English translation is singular.) I occasionally use colors to help the reader see correlations between the various editions and versions when there are more than two different translations of a given word. The only known Dead Sea Scroll containing 1 Samuel 24 is 4Q51Samuela, which contains fragments of vs. 3-24, and which has been dated between 50-25 B.C. Where the DSS is legible and matches the MT, I have colored the MT text purple. Where the DSS supports the LXX with omissions or text not in the MT, I have highlighted with yellow the LXX and its translation into English, and where I have accepted that into my NAW translation, I have marked it with {pointed brackets}.

BLater Greek versions have a wide range of translations of this word: Aquila = ocurwmasin (“strongholds” – which is most like the MT word), Symmachus = apofugaiV (“refuges”), Theodotian = sphlaioiV (“caves”). This is repeated in the final verse in this chapter, where Symmachus goes over to Aquila’s ocurwma, and Theodotian comes up with a new word: korufhn.

CIt’s hard to explain how the LXX (sadaiem not a Greek word) could be derived from the MT (tsurei hayye’eliym), so perhaps these reflect two textual traditions. Aquila’s and Theodotian’s Greek versions amend to the MT: petrwn twn elaf[in]wn (“rocks of the nimble ones”), whereas Symmachus supported the LXX. The DSS is obliterated at this point, but there is enough space between legible sections for all the text of the MT in this verse, so the DSS does not support the truncated text of the LXX.

DThe Greek and Hebrew literally = “upon the surface of,” NASB, ESV = “in front of,” NIV = “near”

EThere are only two other passages in the Hebrew Bible which mention these mountain-goats: Job 39:1 & Psalm 104:18.

Fcf. other Greek versions: Aq. dieuqunai (“to give direction”), S. apopathsai (“to walk away”), Q. apokenwsai touV podaV autou (“to empty away at his feet”)

GNASB, ESV = “-folds,” NIV = “-pens”

HKJV is the literal translation of the Hebrew. NASB, NIV, ESV = “to relieve himself,” Wycliffe = “to purge the wombe,” Geneva = “to do his easement”

INASB, ESV = “sitting”

JNASB = “inner recesses,” NIV = “far back,” ESV = “innermost parts” (This noun is dual in number.)

KThe DSS (w**yw) reads plural (“they went”), along with several other Hebrew manuscripts, but the LXX and Vulgate read singular with the MT.

LJudges 3:24 (Eglon in his privy) is the only other instance of this phrase “cover the feet.”

MThe DSS is obliterated here, but there is not enough room between legible text in the DSS for this word in the MT. It doesn’t change the story, however.

NLXX connotes a 2-piece outfit. Aquila = ενδυματος (“clothing”), Symmachus = χλαμυδος (“cloak” Back in 15:27 he translated the same word περιβολαιου = “wrap/shawl”), Theodotian = ‘ιματιου (“garment”) This word is repeated in v.12, where Symmachus translates it efestridoV (“outer layer”?), and Theodotian translates it epibolaiou (“throw-over” shawl).

OThe Syriac supports the LXX in reading plural (“hands”), but it doesn’t change the sense of the statement.

PLit. “in your eyes”

QNASB = “edge,” NIV, ESV = “corner” Same in v.6 and v.12.

RNASB = “secretly,” NIV = “unnoticed,” ESV = “stealthily”

SAlthough the MT is plural (“enemies”), the versions all go with singular (“enemy”), and even the next pronoun in the MT is singular. The Masoretic margin note suggests that it be corrected to singular (אֹיִבְךָ).

TCf. same phrase in 15:27, “As Samuel turned to go, Saul got a strong grip on a flap of his tunic, and it ripped.” (NAW)

URelatively rare word used of the legerdemain of the Egyptian magicians (Exod. 7:22; 8:3, 14), Jael’s and Ruth’s stealthy approaches to sleeping men (Jdg. 4:21; Ruth 3:7), and Saul’s advice to his spies (1 Sam. 18:22).

VCf. Aquila’s synonym eplhxe (“plagued”)

WNASB = “edge,” NIV & ESV = “corner” It’s the same word used for “wing” in Hebrew. This occurs again in v.11.

XNo Dead Sea Scrolls have been found of this verse for comparison, but several Hebrew manuscripts and all the ancient versions (LXX, Syriac, Vulgate) insert “of his tunic” = lyumh.

YThe Syriac supports the insertion of David’s name, and some Hebrew manuscripts do too. There is no known DSS of this verse for comparison.

ZNIV followed the LXX with “lift” and ESV = “put out” MT is literally “send” When this Hebrew phrase is repeated in v.11, KJV translates it “put forth,” but other versions are pretty much the same.

AANASB (“since”) and NIV (“for”) are more literal translations of the Greek and Hebrew. In v.11, this phrase is repeated, and there the KJV and NASB render it “for,” while the NIV renders it “because.”

ABAq. = sunekalsen (“called together”), S. periespasen (“had them go around?”), Q. hpathsen (“led them away”).

ACCf. synonyms in later Greek versions: S. epetreyen (“turn upon”), Q. afhken (“release”).

ADTargum = “pacified,” NASB = “persuaded,” NIV = “rebuked,” NICOT = “disagreed,” Gordon = “excoriated” Everywhere else this word occurs in the Hebrew Bible, it means “divided/split.”

AELit. “gave,” NASB & NIV = allow,” ESV = “permit”

AFThis Hebrew root is relatively rare, and everywhere else it is used, it means “split/divide.” The Piel form here is used in Lev. 1:17 & Jdg. 14:6 to denote gutting an animal, and the Qal form used elsewhere (Lev. 11:3, 7, 26; Deut. 14:6-7) denotes having a “cloven” hoof .

AGThe Hishtaphel stem of this verb, common in Biblical formulas of worship, apparently has a final sureq in the third masculine singular form. Most Hebrew verb forms that end with a sureq or vav indicate a plural subject or a third masculine singular pronoun (the latter of which was the interpretation of the LXX).

AHNASB & NIV = “prostrated,” ESV = “paid homage”

AIThis phrase is also found in Gen. 19:1; 42:6; 1 Sam. 25:41; 28:14; 1 Chr. 21:21; 2 Chr. 7:3; 20:18; and Neh. 8:6.

AJAll the later Greek versions corrected to the MT with κακιαν.

AK“David had reason enough to think that Saul persecuted him purely from his own envy and malice, yet he courteously supposes that others put him on to do it, and made him believe that David was his enemy and sought his hurt. Satan, the great accuser of the brethren, has his agents in all places, and particularly in the courts of those princes that encourage them...” ~M. Henry

AL NASB = “said,” NIV = “urged,” ESV = “told” All use the subject “some” as though the subject were plural, but the Masoretic Hebrew is singular (“he said”). The oldest manuscripts of this verse, reflected in Brenton’s and Douay’s English translations, indicate a different textual tradition from the Masoretic which substitutes a verb for “thinking/considering/taking counsel.” No DSS of this verse exists for comparison. Regardless, these variants don’t change the story at all.

AMThe Hebrew verb has a third person feminine singular subject (“she had pity/spared”), but the quote here has no feminine singular noun as an antecedent, thus the feminine singular “eye” was supplied as the subject in the ancient Vulgate translation, even though it is not explicitly there in the Hebrew, and that tradition is carried over in the KJV and NASB. The Syriac, Targums, and Septuagint, however, all read as though it were a first person verb: “I had pity,” and that tradition is carried over in the NIV and ESV.

ANSymmachus goes with “trap” (qhraV) rather than the semantic domain of “binding” chosen by the LXX.

AONASB & NIV = “rebellion,” ESV = “treason”

APDavid’s repeated use of words about seeing (eyes, see, Behold, look) are striking and seem to result in a breakthrough of Saul getting a correct perception of David - at least temporarily.

AQCf. Psalm 7, particularly v.3.

ARDavid uses a specific word used only once in scripture before his time, and that is in the judicial statutes of Exodus 12:13 regarding premeditated vs. accidental manslaughter. (“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee [that’s the city of refuge]. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.” Ex. 12:13-15, NKJV)

ASSymmachus translated παροιμια (“proverb”). The LXX word is the NT Greek word for “parable.”

ATThe DSS spells out a plural form of this word (<yynmdqh - the greyed-out letters being obliterated from the manuscript), but the LXX and Vulgate and MT use the singular form. The root of this word has to do with the concept of “East,” related to the idea of “previous time” by the fact that the sun’s progression is East to West, leaving the past in the East. The Septuagint and Vulgate, however, favored “ancient” over “Oriental.” Kimchi suggested that it was Adam himself who coined the phrase. This mashal does not appear to be in the Bible, although Psalm 109:7a uses the last two of the three Hebrew words of this proverb: “During the judgment, it will come out [that he is] wicked…And Micah 6:10 expresses a similar idea: “...in the house of the wicked man there is a storehouse of wickedness...”

AUHebrew and Greek read “one,” cf. NASB = “single”

AV DSS inserts an emphatic “you” as the subject = אתה, matching the LXX and the Vulgate.

AWThe DSS is obliterated here, but there is too much space for the text of the MT. The extra words και νυν (“and now”) in the Septuagint at the beginning of this verse have been suggested as a fit here (in Hebrew, ועתה), and they would fill the space in the DSS perfectly.

AXDSS inserts או (“or”) here, matching the LXX.

AYDSS inserts a definite article prefix here (ה = the)

AZNASB & NIV = “decide,” ESV = “give sentence”

BAIn the Hebrew and Greek, this is not the word “save” (which is so often translated “deliver”); this is the word for “act as a judge.” The NIV “vindicate” comes closer to this idea.

BBJohn Gill noted, “...before, when he spoke of David, it was only ‘the son of Jesse,’ now ‘my son David,’ as he was by marriage to his daughter...”

BCNASB = “dealt,” NIV = “treated,” ESV = “repaid”

BDNASB = “wickedly,” NIV = “badly”

BE“Saul ... should have said, ‘Thou art righteous, but I am wicked;’ but the utmost he will own is this: ‘Thou art more righteous than I.’ Bad men will commonly go no further than this in their confessions...” ~M. Henry

BFThe DSS is illegible at this point, but there is room for more text than is in the DSS, which could support this extra word in the LXX. It doesn’t make any difference in meaning, though.

BGThe DSS is illegible at this point, but there isn’t enough space for this extra word.

BHNASB & ESV = “[in] that”

BIThe Qere margin notes indicate that a ה should be added to the end of the word to change it from a direct object indicator (which doesn’t make sense here) to the pronoun “you.” The LXX and Vulgate have an emphatic “you” in this position, so the Qere appears to be correct.

BJThis word is omitted in the DSS. Its role in the MT text is to mark the beginning of the second of two statements which Saul recounts David telling him.

BKSyriac and Arabic versions also use the third person instead of the second person here, making the second half the apodosis of the first half of the verse as the LXX does.

BLThe word in the DSS here appears to be “you” (אתה) rather than תהט (“instead”), but it doesn’t change the gist of Saul’s response.

BMBoth the LXX and the DSS have fewer words than the MT does, and they also both end with “this day” (that is, at the two words colored purple earlier in this verse, although it appears that a couple of the words which come later in the MT of this verse were copied before the words “this day” in the LXX and DSS).

BN“[I]t is a tradition of the Jews that Samuel said to him at that time, that he that cut off the skirt of his garment should reign after him” ~John Gill, citing Midrash Tillim apud Abarbinel. in loc.

BOThe DSS is illegible at this point, but there is room for more words than the MT has. The LXX and Vulgate, however, give no indication of additional text. Same goes for vs. 22 and 23.

BPNASB & NIV = “descendants,” ESV = “offspring”

BQKittel noted that several Hebrew manuscripts read אל, which would be more in keeping with this Greek preposition, whereas על (the preposition in the MT here) would usually be translated επι.

BROnce again the LXX translators transliterated the Hebrew word into Greek characters then translated the Hebrew word into Greek.

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