Study notes

1 Samuel 24

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

24:1–26:25 Section

Saul chased David for a long time to try and kill him. Twice David had the opportunity to kill Saul. Both times his soldiers encouraged him to do it. But David respected Saul because God had chosen him to be Israel’s first king. David wouldn’t harm someone who was anointed to serve God.

But David did want to harm Nabal for treating him unkindly. David made a foolish and violent promise to kill all the men in Nabal’s household. Abigail was a wise and brave woman. Her words encouraged David not to kill his enemy. When Nabal died soon after, David wasn’t guilty of his death.

24:2

three thousand chosen men: David's force was outnumbered five to one (1 Samuel 23:13).

24:4

  • David’s men believed, as Saul did, that if the circumstances seem right, the Lord is telling you through those circumstances what to do (see 1 Samuel 23:7).

  • David might have cut a piece of Saul’s robe without getting caught because Saul either took off the robe and set it aside or fell asleep in the cave.

24:5

David felt guilty because he had dishonored God's anointed king.

24:11

my father: Saul was actually David’s father-in-law (1 Samuel 18:27). David was demonstrating his respect for the king and recalling a day when their relationship had been much friendlier.

24:12

  • May the LORD judge: There was no human authority who could decide what was right between Saul and David. Because of this, David asked God to judge the matter (see Genesis 16:5; 31:53; Exodus 5:21; Judges 11:27).

  • may the LORD take vengeance on you: David trusted God's plan instead of trying to control it.

24:13

The proverb shows that David was in the right and that Saul was in the wrong. David refused to do evil, even when he had the chance to kill Saul. Saul, however, repeatedly tried to kill David.

24:20

I know for sure that you will be king: This was Saul's first open admission of the truth (compare 1 Samuel 23:17).

24:21–22

swear to me … you will not cut off my descendants: Having descendants was a way that Saul’s name would endure among the living. David had already sworn such an oath with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:14–17).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources