1 Samuel 24

1 Samuel 24:1

FOllowing] Heb. after.

En-gedi] A city in the tribe of Judah, called of old, Hazezon-tamar; that is, The city of palm trees, which abounded there, Genesis 14:7. 2 Chronicles 20:3. situated between high mountains and rocks, having a desert adjoyning unto it of the same name.

1 Samuel 24:2

the rocks] Upon which store of goates lived, and climbed, as there manner is.

1 Samuel 24:3

cover his feet] That is, do his easement. See Judges 3. 24.

remained] That is, lay hid in the in-most parts of the cave.

1 Samuel 24:4

Behold the day] That is, a fit opportunity is now given thee by God, of killing thine enemy, who seeketh to kill thee, as if he should speak unto thee from heaven, and bid thee do it.

Sauls robe] Heb. the robe which was Sauls; That is, his uppermost garment, which perhaps Saul had put off, and laid aside, till he had done his businesse.

1 Samuel 24:5

heart smote him] That is, his conscience checked him, because he had done it.

1 Samuel 24:6

the Lords anointed] Because the LORD who made him king, hath onely power and right to depose him.

to stretch] That is, to kill him, or to lay violent hands upon him, to do him any hurt. So Genesis 37:22.

1 Samuel 24:7

stayed them] Heb. cut off; That is, he pacified, and took them off from their purpose.

1 Samuel 24:9

hearest thou] That is, givest heed and credit to flanderers and sycophants.

1 Samuel 24:10

some bad me] That is, some of them that were with me, did advise me.

1 Samuel 24:11

my father] Both because he had married his daughter to him, and being king, was the father of his people.

huntest my soul] That is, seekest eargerly my life, as an huntsman pursueth the wilde beast, thorow woods and hils, bushes and hard passages, v. 2.

1 Samuel 24:12

the Lord avenge] That is, the supreme judge of king and subject, hear my innocent cause, and do me right.

upon thee] To revenge my self by seeking thy ruine.

1 Samuel 24:13

Wickednesse] That is, wicked men will act wickednesse to their own just destruction.

but mine hand] That is, but I will not seek to revenge my self in my own private quarrell.

1 Samuel 24:14

the king] As if he should say, It is not for the honour of so great a king, nor worth his pains to pursue a man so weak, and contemptible as I am. So 2 Samuel 9:8.

1 Samuel 24:15

deliver] Heb. judge.

1 Samuel 24:16

and wept] Being for the present convinced by Davids carriage, of his innocency, and his own sin, he was (as we say) overcome with kindnesse, and burst forth into tears.

1 Samuel 24:18

delivered] Heb. shut up.

1 Samuel 24:19

for that] In preserving my life, when it was in thy hands to take it from me.

1 Samuel 24:22

hold] That is, of Engedi, having yet no confidence in Sauls sincerity, seeing after reconciliation he had so often returned to his old malicious courses.