Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 24

Verses 1-22

At last Saul was in David's power. It would have been perfectly easy for him to have taken his life. He did not do so, but, withholding his hand, uttered a strong protest against Saul's persecution. There is the passion of the true poet in the wording of the protest, and the changing moods of the human heart are manifest as it proceeds. Beginning with the judicial statement of his innocence of all evil intention, he merged into pleading tones in which memories of old and happier days are evident. These tones, however, almost immediately changed into accents of agony as he declared that Jehovah would avenge him, but that he himself would not lay a hand on Saul. He finally appealed scornfully to the king that he should spend time and strength upon hunting him, one lonely man. The degeneracy of Saul was manifest in the weak and maudlin sentiment with which he addressed David.