David Spares Saul in the Cave
When Saul enters a cave where David is hiding, David has the perfect opportunity for revenge but chooses mercy, cutting only the corner of Saul's robe.
1 Samuel 24:1-22
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The Story
Saul had been pursuing David with three thousand chosen men of Israel. When Saul entered a cave to relieve himself, he did not know that David and his men were hiding in the recesses of that very cave.
David's men whispered to him, 'This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said, "I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish."' David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having done even this. He said to his men, 'The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.' With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.
When Saul left the cave and went on his way, David went out and called after him, 'My lord the king!' When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down prostrate before him.
'Why do you listen when men say, "David is bent on harming you"?' David asked. 'This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, "I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord's anointed." See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the Lord judge between you and me.'
Saul wept aloud. 'You are more righteous than I,' he said. 'You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. You have just now told me of the good you did to me; the Lord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me. When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king.'
David refused to take vengeance into his own hands, trusting that God would judge between them. His restraint demonstrated the heart of a true king—one who feared God more than he feared his enemy.
David Shows Mercy to His Enemy
Kids Version
King Saul was very jealous of David. He took 3,000 soldiers and hunted David like an animal! David had to hide in caves in the wilderness.
One day, something strange happened. Saul walked right into the cave where David and his men were hiding! Saul didn't know they were there. It was dark in the back of the cave.
David's men got excited. They whispered, 'This is it! God gave you this chance! Get him!'
David could have killed Saul right there. Nobody would have known. Saul was trying to kill HIM, after all! It would be self-defense!
But David didn't attack. Instead, he quietly crept up and cut off just a little piece of Saul's robe. Then he snuck back into the shadows.
Even after that, David felt bad! 'I shouldn't have done even that,' he told his men. 'Saul is still the king God chose. I won't hurt God's anointed king, no matter what he's done to me.'
When Saul walked out of the cave, David followed him. 'My lord the king!' he called out.
Saul turned around, shocked!
David bowed down and held up the piece of robe. 'Look! I could have killed you in that cave. People told me to do it. But I didn't! I cut your robe to prove I was close enough. I don't want to hurt you. Why are you hunting me?'
Saul started to cry. 'You're a better man than me, David! I've been terrible to you, and you showed me kindness. I know you'll be king someday. May God bless you.'
David could have gotten revenge. But he trusted God to handle things. Revenge belongs to God, not to us. It's better to show mercy and let God make things right.
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Scripture — 1 Samuel 24:1-22 (KJV)
1And 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. following: Heb. after
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. Saul's: Heb. the robe which was Saul's
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. stayed: Heb. cut off
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.
9And 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. deliver: Heb. judge
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.
17And 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. delivered: Heb. shut up
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.
Memory Verse
“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. following: Heb. after”
— 1 Samuel 24:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “David Spares Saul in the Cave” in the Bible?
When Saul enters a cave where David is hiding, David has the perfect opportunity for revenge but chooses mercy, cutting only the corner of Saul's robe. This story is found in 1 Samuel 24:1-22.
Where is “David Spares Saul in the Cave” found in the Bible?
“David Spares Saul in the Cave” is found in 1 Samuel 24:1-22, in the book of 1 Samuel.
What can children learn from “David Spares Saul in the Cave”?
This story teaches children about Mercy, Patience, Trust in God's Timing, Integrity. King Saul was hunting David to kill him. But when David had the perfect chance for revenge, he chose to be kind instead. He trusted God to make things right.