1 Samuel 24:17

Verse

and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.

Bible in Basic English

And he said to David, You are right and I am wrong: for you have given me back good, but I have given you evil.

Free Bible Version

He told David, “You are a better person than I am, because you have repaid me with good, but I have repaid you with evil.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

Translation for Translators

He said, “You are a better man than I am. You have done something very good to me when I tried to do something very bad to you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I am. For you have repaid me good, where I have repaid you evil.

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to David, thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded thee with evil.

World English Bible

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.

Young's Literal Translation

And he saith unto David, 'More righteous thou [art] than I; for thou hast done me good, and I have done thee evil;

Context

David’s Oath to Saul

¹⁶When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud¹⁷and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.¹⁸And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.

Sermons

Righteousness in the Old Testament

Art Katz

Summary

In this verse, King Saul acknowledges David's righteousness and expresses remorse for seeking his life unjustly. Saul recognizes that David spared his life when he had the opportunity to kill him, which humbles him before David. This interaction reveals the complexity of their relationship and highlights David's integrity and mercy even towards his enemy. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and the power of showing kindness to those who have wronged us, reflecting God's grace and mercy in our own lives.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he said to David, thou art more righteous than I,.... By which it appears he thought himself righteous, though David was more so; the righteousness of David was so glaring, that his enemy himself being judge acknowledges it, but will not confess his own wickedness, having no true sense of sin, nor real sorrow for it: for thou hast rewarded me good; in times past, and now; heretofore in killing Goliath, fighting his battles for him against the Philistines, driving the evil spirit from him, by playing on the harp before him, and now by sparing his life, only cutting off the skirt of his garment, when he could with equal ease have cut off his head: whereas I have rewarded thee evil: in seeking to take away his life at various times, by casting a javelin at him more than once, sending messengers to kill him, and hunting after him from place to place, to take him and slay him.