The big picture
1 Samuel 24 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut…”, and closes in verse 22 with “And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto…” Repeated or prominent terms include David, Saul, LORD, hand, cave. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Samuel · King James Version · 221 Samuel 24:1-8
1–8: It came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines…
1 Samuel 24:1–8 opens with “And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told…” and reaches “David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Samuel 24 develops its own movement around David, Saul, LORD, hand, cave, with particular weight carried by David, Saul, cave.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“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…” Naming David and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
1 Samuel 24:1-8
King James Version1And 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 En-gedi.
2Then 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.
3And 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.
4And 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.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6And 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 .
7So 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.
8David 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.
1 Samuel 24:9-16
9–16: David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold…
1 Samuel 24:9–16 opens with “And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy…” and reaches “And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Samuel 24 develops its own movement around David, Saul, LORD, hand, cave, with particular weight carried by hand, LORD, David.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“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…” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
1 Samuel 24:9-16
King James Version9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10Behold, 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.
11Moreover, 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.
12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16And 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.
1 Samuel 24:17-22
17–22: He said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded…
1 Samuel 24:17–22 opens with “And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I…” and reaches “And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Samuel 24 develops its own movement around David, Saul, LORD, hand, cave, with particular weight carried by David, LORD, well.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee…” Naming David and Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
1 Samuel 24:17-22
King James Version17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18And 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.
19For 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.
20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21Swear 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.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Samuel 24:1 begins with “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 En-gedi.”
Where the chapter turns
1 Samuel 24:9 forms a natural hinge: “And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?”
The final note
1 Samuel 24:22 leaves the reader with “And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words David, Saul, LORD, hand, cave, skirt help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does Rebekah contribute beyond family eligibility?
Energy, hospitality and a direct decision to make the journey.
Why is the servant's retelling so long?
It presents the sequence to the family and explains why he sees divine guidance in it.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.