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When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.”
Verse 1. Engaddi, below Jericho, on the west side of the Dead Sea. It was famous for rocks and caverns. Calmet.
Then 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.
He 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.
Verse 3. Goats; an hyperbole. Menochius.—Hebrew “upon the rocks of the wild goats.” Bible.
David’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.
Verse 4. Cotes. These were probably no other than the caverns, in which shepherds there secure themselves and their flocks, in the night, and from storms. Tirinus.—Some of them, in Syria, are so capacious as to contain 4,000 men, (Strabo xvi.) so that David might well remain unperceived by Saul, who did not enter so far. Polyphemus and Cacus dwelt in caverns, with their flocks. Virg. Æneid viii.—Nature. Hebrew “to cover his feet,” which has the same import. Syr. and Arab. “to rest, or sleep.”
Afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
Verse 5. Eyes. This might have been spoken by Gad, or Samuel; ( Menochius.) or they only mean that this is a most favourable opportunity. Some think that David ought to have embraced it, and put an end to these troubles, by the death of the usurper. But this was not the opinion of David; and God, who had promised him the throne, had not authorized him to lay violent hands on Saul. He might act on the defensive, but not be the aggressor. Tirinus.—Arose, with an intention to kill his unjust persecutor, verse 11.—Robe, to convince him how easily he might have taken away his life. Saint Augustine de Calmet. xii. 6.—The noise of Saul’s attendants hindered him from being perceived. Perhaps Saul might have put off his robe. Menochius.—S. Chrysostom observes, the David obtained more glory by sparing Saul than by killing Goliath. Tirinus.—Clemency makes a man like God. Cicero.
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.”
Verse 6. Heart struck him; that is with remorse, as fearing he had done amiss. Challoner.—A tender conscience is uneasy about things which are not sinful, while some stick at nothing. Worthington.—The action of David seemed disrespectful. Calmet.—“The subjects of kings adore the royal name as a divinity.” Curtius vii. Regium nomen … pro deo colunt.
So 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.
Verse 7. Anointed. He was chosen by God, and to be judge by him. Calmet.—Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis. Hor.—David was not to mount the throne, till Saul was removed, by God’s ordinance. Worthington.
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?
Behold, 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.’
Moreover, 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.
Verse 11. A thought to kill thee. That is, a suggestion, to which I did not consent. Challoner.—Hebrew “and he spoke to kill thee, and he has pardoned thee; and he said, I will not,” and so forth Calmet.—Prot. “and some bade me kill thee, but mine eye spared thee, and I said.” Septuagint “and I would not kill thee, and I spared thee, and said,” and so forth Bible.
May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
Verse 12. Father. He had married Saul’s daughter; ( Menochius.) and the king ought to be the common father of his people. Bible.
As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.
Verse 13. Revenge me of thee; or, as it is in the Hebrew, will revenge me. The meaning is, that he refers his whole cause to God, to judge and punish according to his justice; yet so as to keep himself, in the mean time, from all personal hatred to Saul, or desire of gratifying his own passion, by seeking revenge. So far from it, that when Saul was afterwards slain, we find that, instead of rejoicing at his death, he mourned most bitterly for him. Challoner.—If it be lawful to seek redress from a magistrate, much more may we appeal to the Sovereign Judge! Menochius.
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
Verse 14. Thee: the tree is known by its fruit. If therefore I have behaved in this manner, no longer trust the reports of others against me. Calmet.—The wicked, if left to themselves, will be their own tormentors. He may thus indirectly threaten Saul, as iniquity is often put for punishment. Menochius.—The wicked shall at last open thier eyes, and be reclaimed. Rabbins ap. Munster.—David entertained hopes that even Saul would now be convinced of his innocence. Bible.
May 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.”
Verse 15. Dog. This expression is still used to denote a contemptible person. 2 Kennicott. 16:9. What honour can so great a king derive, from gaining the victory over a man unarmed? and so forth Calmet.
It 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.
He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
Verse 17. Voice. He was at such a distance, as not to be able to distinguish his features.—Wept. The greatest reprobates may sometimes feel sentiments of compunction, so that we need not here doubt of Saul’s sincerity. Calmet.—He might otherwise have turned upon David with his 3,000, and easily have seized his prey. Bible.
You 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.
For 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.
Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
Swear 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.”
David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Verse 22. Father. David complied with this request as far as he was able: but, as God was resolved to punish the posterity of Saul, for the injury done to the Gabaonites, he was forced to give them all up, except Miphiboseth, the son of Jonathan. Calmet.—He could not promise to defend them, if they proved guilty.