King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 24:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 24:4 in the King James Version says “And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. Saul's: Heb. the robe which was Saul's

1 Samuel 24:4 · KJV


Context

2

Then 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.

3

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 remained in the sides of the cave.

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 thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. Saul's: Heb. the robe which was Saul's

5

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

6

And 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

David's refusal to harm Saul despite opportunity and justification demonstrates respect for God's authority structures even when those in authority act wickedly. His conviction that he cannot 'stretch forth my hand against the LORD's anointed' teaches the principle of leaving vengeance to God rather than taking matters into one's own hands. David's restraint shows mature faith that trusts God to vindicate and promote in His timing. This passage warns against using apparent opportunities to advance personal interests when doing so requires violating godly principles.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
  2. What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
  3. How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
אָמַ֧ר1 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַנְשֵׁ֨י2 of 30
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

דָּוִ֗ד3 of 30

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֵלָ֗יו4 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּ֨ה5 of 30
H2009

lo!

הַיּ֜וֹם6 of 30

unto him Behold the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲֽשֶׁר7 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָמַ֧ר8 of 30

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 30

of which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלֶ֗יךָ10 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּ֨ה11 of 30
H2009

lo!

אָֽנֹכִ֜י12 of 30
H595

i

נֹתֵ֤ן13 of 30

unto thee Behold I will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת14 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֹֽיִבְיךָ֙15 of 30

thine enemy

H341

hating; an adversary

בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ16 of 30

into thine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ17 of 30

that thou mayest do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לּ֔וֹ18 of 30
H0
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר19 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִטַ֣ב20 of 30

to him as it shall seem good

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ21 of 30

unto thee

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיָּ֣קָם22 of 30

arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָּוִ֗ד23 of 30

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיִּכְרֹ֛ת24 of 30

and cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶת25 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּנַֽף26 of 30

the skirt

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הַמְּעִ֥יל27 of 30

robe

H4598

a robe (i.e., upper and outer garment)

אֲשֶׁר28 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְשָׁא֖וּל29 of 30

of Saul's

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בַּלָּֽט׃30 of 30

privily

H3909

properly, covered, i.e., secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 24:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 24:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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