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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:16 - 24:22
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Saul Acknowledges his Fault
v. 16. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? Saul was deeply affected by the fervor of David, by the justice of his plea, by the pious reverence shown by him. And Saul lifted up his voice and wept, momentarily overcome by emotion.
v. 17. And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. The evidence before his eyes forced Saul to make at least this acknowledgment.
v. 18. And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not, David had not taken the opportunity offered by God's providence.
v. 19. For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? It was a most unusual way of dealing with an enemy, to let him go scot-free when such a fine chance to dispose of him offered. Wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. For the time being, Saul permitted the nobler sentiments to come into his heart, but there was no true conversion.
v. 20. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. This conclusion was forced upon Saul by the evident protection of the Lord which David enjoyed, and he still remembered what Samuel had told him regarding his own rejection.
v. 21. Swear now, therefore, unto me by the Lord that thou wilt not cut off my seed, his children, after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. It was not unusual in the Orient for the king of anew dynasty to exterminate the entire family of the former king, down to the most remote relatives, and this Saul wanted to avoid.
v. 22. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home, returned to his royal residence; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold, for they knew better than to expect Saul to retain the kind disposition and bearing which he had last shown. Saul's emotion was no true repentance, his heart had not been changed. Such a person is and remains a child of wrath, whether he rages and raves against the Lord or whether he is more quiet.