And David sware unto Saul,.... That he would not cut, off his posterity; which oath he religiously observed, in sparing Mephibosheth, 2Sa 21:7, and in punishing the murderers of Ishbosheth, 2Sa 4:12; and as for the seven sons of Saul, delivered up to the Gibeonites, 2Sa 21:6, it may be questioned whether they were his genuine legitimate offspring; and if they were, it was by the appointment and command of God, and according to his will and pleasure they were executed, who is not bound by the oaths of men, and to whom they must be submitted, 2Sa 21:1;and Saul went home; to his palace in Gibeah:but David and his men got them up unto the hold; in Engedi, 1Sa 23:29; not trusting to Saul, whose inconstancy, perfidy, cruel hatred, and malice, David full well knew; and therefore thought it not safe to return to his own house, nor to dwell in the open country, but in the wilderness, and among the rocks, and in the caves there, such as were in the wilderness of Engedi; and here, and at this time, he penned the fifty seventh psalm, see Ps 57:1.
Bible Commentary
1 Samuel 24:22
1 Samuel 24:22
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
The Daily Devotional
One devotional. Every morning.
The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.
We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.
Continue tomorrow
Turn Bible study into a daily habit
Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.
Recommended reading
More for 1 Samuel 24:22
Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.
Other commentaries
1 Samuel 24 — Overview1 Samuel 24 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have hitherto had Saul seeking an opportunity to destroy David, and,
to his shame, he could never find it. In this chapter David had a fair
opportunity to destroy Saul, and, to his honour, he did not make use…1 Samuel 24 — Overview1 Samuel 24 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Samuel 24:1, David, in a cave at En-gedi, having cut off Saul’s skirt, spares his life; 1 Samuel 24:8, He shews thereby his innocency; 1 Samuel 24:16, Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.1 Samuel 24 — Overview1 Samuel 24 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSaul being returned from following the Philistines, renews his pursuit after David, 1Sa 24:1; and they meeting in a cave, where David had the opportunity of taking away the life of Saul, which his men pressed him to,…1 Samuel 24:1-221 Samuel 24:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryDAVID IN THE WILDERNESS OF ENGEDI (1 Samuel 23:29 -35-24).
EXPOSITION
DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE IN A CAVE (1 Samuel 24:1-7).
1 Samuel 24:1
The wilderness of En-gedi. Finding no safety on the western side of the…1 Samuel 24:1-221 Samuel 24:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryIII. A MAN'S VOCATION IN LIFE EXERCISES A POWERFUL INFLUENCE IN DETERMINING HIS MORAL QUALITIES. The moral qualities of consideration, forbearance, magnanimity, and candour so prominent in David during this interview…1 Samuel 24:1-221 Samuel 24:1-22 · The Pulpit CommentaryII. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A RELENTING MOOD AND A REPENTING HEART. An evildoer may be thrown into a fit of shame and grief over his own misconduct, promise amendment with tears, and yet never truly repent. The generous…