📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 24 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 24:1 And it came to pass, Rwhen Saul was returned from Tfollowing the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
1 Samuel 24:2 Then RSaul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
1 Samuel 24:3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; Rand Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
1 Samuel 24:4 And Rthe 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 TSaul’s robe privily.
1 Samuel 24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, RThe 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.
1 Samuel 24:7 So David RTstayed 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.
1 Samuel 24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, RMy lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
1 Samuel 24:9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some Rbade 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.
1 Samuel 24:11 Moreover, Rmy 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.
1 Samuel 24:12 The RLORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1 Samuel 24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, RWickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
1 Samuel 24:14 After whom is Rthe king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
1 Samuel 24:15 The LORD therefore Rbe judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and Tdeliver me out of thine hand.
1 Samuel 24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, RIs this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
1 Samuel 24:17 And he said to David, RThou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
1 Samuel 24:18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the RLORD had Tdelivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
1 Samuel 24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Rthe LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
1 Samuel 24:20 And now, behold, RI know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
1 Samuel 24:21 RSwear 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.
1 Samuel 24:22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but RDavid and his men gat them up unto the hold.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 24:1–7 — David spares Saul in the cave
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Saul enters a cave where David's men are hidden. They interpret the opportunity as authorization to kill, but David cuts only the robe and is troubled even by that. He restrains his men because Saul is the LORD's anointed.
Key Truth: An opportunity for revenge is not treated by David as permission to take it.
Check What You Remember
1. In which wilderness was David hiding? (1 Samuel 24:1)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:1 (KJV).
2. What did David cut from Saul's garment? (1 Samuel 24:4)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:4 (KJV).
3. Why did David refuse to strike Saul? (1 Samuel 24:6)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 24:8–15 — David appeals to the LORD as judge
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David shows the robe piece as evidence that he spared Saul. He denies seeking the king's harm and entrusts judgment to the LORD rather than his own hand. His appeal distinguishes innocence from retaliation.
Key Truth: David seeks vindication without claiming a right to kill Saul.
Check What You Remember
1. What evidence did David hold? (1 Samuel 24:11)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:11 (KJV).
2. Whom did he ask to judge between them? (1 Samuel 24:12)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:12 (KJV).
3. Which small creature did David compare himself to? (1 Samuel 24:14)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:14 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 24:16–22 — Saul acknowledges David's restraint
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Saul weeps, admits David is more righteous, and recognizes his future kingship. He asks protection for his descendants, and David swears it. Saul goes home, but David returns to the stronghold; the admission does not instantly remove the danger.
Key Truth: Mercy can be acknowledged without every practical risk disappearing.
Check What You Remember
1. What did Saul do after hearing David? (1 Samuel 24:16)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:16 (KJV).
2. What future role did Saul acknowledge for David? (1 Samuel 24:20)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:20 (KJV).
3. Whom did Saul ask David not to cut off? (1 Samuel 24:21)
Find it in 1 Samuel 24:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 26:9 — David will again refuse to kill the LORD's anointed when opportunity arises.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How do David's men and David interpret the same opportunity differently? Notice that restraint does not require ignoring danger.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does David react even to cutting Saul’s robe?
2. How does David oppose his men’s proposed attack on Saul?
3. What does the robe fragment demonstrate in David’s argument?
4. How does David combine a plea for justice with personal restraint?
5. How does Saul compare their conduct?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation