1 Samuel Chapter 24 — David Spares Saul at En Gedi
David encounters King Saul in a cave at En Gedi and chooses to spare his life despite his men's encouragement to kill him, proving his loyalty.
1When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “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 on the rocks of the wild goats.
3He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave.
4David’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly.
5Afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
7So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. 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!”
9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?
10Behold, today your eyes have seen how the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.
14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
15May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”
16It came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
18You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when the LORD had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me.
19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me today.
20Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21Swear now therefore to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.”
22David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 24:6
“He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.””
This verse highlights David's deep respect for the office of kingship and God's sovereign choice in leadership.
1 Samuel 24:12
“May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.”
David expresses his commitment to letting God execute justice rather than taking personal vengeance.
1 Samuel 24:17
“He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.””
This is a rare moment of clarity for Saul, where he publicly acknowledges David's superior moral character.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 24, King Saul takes three thousand chosen men to the wilderness of En Gedi to hunt David. During the pursuit, Saul enters a cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and his men are hiding in the innermost parts of that very cave. David’s men urge him to seize the opportunity to kill his enemy, but David instead secretly cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe. Immediately afterward, David’s conscience strikes him for showing even this small measure of disrespect to the king. He restrains his men, insisting that he will not harm the man whom God has anointed. After Saul leaves the cave, David follows him out and calls to him, showing the piece of the robe as evidence of his mercy. David appeals to the Lord to judge between them, asserting his innocence. Saul is moved to tears by David’s righteousness, acknowledges that David will certainly become king, and asks for a vow that David will spare his descendants.
Frequently Asked Questions
David cut the robe to provide physical evidence that he was close enough to kill Saul but intentionally chose to spare him. It served as a tangible proof of his loyalty and lack of malice toward the king.
It refers to Saul being chosen and consecrated by God to serve as the king of Israel. David believed that because God placed Saul in power, it was not David's place to remove him by force.
Saul was overcome with emotion, wept, and acknowledged David's righteousness. He admitted that David would eventually be king and asked David to swear not to destroy his family line.
Study Note
The 'rocks of the wild goats' mentioned in verse 2 refer to the steep, craggy limestone cliffs characteristic of the En Gedi region near the Dead Sea.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 26
David has another similar opportunity to kill Saul in the wilderness of Ziph but spares him again.
Psalm 57
This psalm is traditionally associated with the time David spent hiding in the cave from Saul.
2 Samuel 1
David's reaction to Saul's eventual death confirms his consistent respect for the office of the king.
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