1 Samuel 24:10
New International Version
This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’

New Living Translation
This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’

English Standard Version
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

Berean Standard Bible
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

King James Bible
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

New King James Version
Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

New American Standard Bible
Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had handed you over to me today in the cave, and someone said to kill you, but I spared you; and I said, ‘I will not reach out with my hand against my lord, because he is the LORD’S anointed.’

NASB 1995
“Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’S anointed.’

NASB 1977
“Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, this day your eyes have seen that Yahweh had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not send forth my hand against my lord, for he is the anointed of Yahweh.’

Amplified Bible
Behold, your eyes have seen today how the LORD had given you into my hand in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not reach out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’S anointed.’

Christian Standard Bible
You can see with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won’t lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You can see with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won’t lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.

American Standard Version
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah's anointed.

Contemporary English Version
You can see for yourself that the LORD gave me the chance to catch you in the cave today. Some of my men wanted to kill you, but I wouldn't let them do it. I told them, "I will not harm the LORD's chosen king!"

English Revised Version
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Today you saw how the LORD handed you over to me in the cave. Although I was told to kill you, I spared you, saying, 'I will not raise my hand against Your Majesty because you are the LORD's anointed.'

Good News Translation
You can see for yourself that just now in the cave the LORD put you in my power. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I felt sorry for you and said that I would not harm you in the least, because you are the one whom the LORD chose to be king.

International Standard Version
Look, this very day you saw with your own eyes that the LORD gave you into my control in the cave, and one of my men told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and responded, 'I won't lift my hand against his majesty because he's the LORD's anointed.'

Majority Standard Bible
Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

NET Bible
Today your own eyes see how the LORD delivered you--this very day--into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, 'I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's chosen one.'

New Heart English Bible
Look, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave, but I refused to kill you, and my eye spared you; and I said, 'I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, this day thy eyes have seen how the LORD hath delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave; and some bade me kill thee: but my eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

World English Bible
Behold, today your eyes have seen how Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is Yahweh’s anointed.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that YHWH has given you into my hand today in the cave; and [one] said to slay you, and [my eye] has pity on you, and I say, I do not put forth my hand against my lord, for he [is] the anointed of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, this day have thine eyes seen how that Jehovah hath given thee to-day into my hand in the cave; and one said to slay thee, and mine eye hath pity on thee, and I say, I do not put forth my hand against my lord, for the anointed of Jehovah he is.

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, this day thine eyes saw that Jehovah gave thee this day into my hand in the cave: and it was said to kill thee; and it had pity upon thee, and saying, I will not stretch forth my hand against my lord, for he is Jehovah's Messiah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold this day thy eyes have seen, that the Lord hath delivered thee into my hand, in the cave, and I had a thought to kill thee, but my eye hath spared thee. For I said: I will not put out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord's anointed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord has delivered you into my hand, in the cave. And I thought that I might kill you. But my eye has spared you. For I said: I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Christ of the Lord.

New American Bible
You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my master, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

New Revised Standard Version
This very day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD had delivered you today into my hand in the cave; and the men who were with me bade me kill you, but I had pity on you, and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, see today with your eyes that LORD JEHOVAH delivered you into my hands today in the cave, and the men who are with me said to kill you, and I had pity upon you, and I said: “‘I will not reach my hands against my Lord, because he is the Anointed One of LORD JEHOVAH!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave; and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said: I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, thine eyes have seen this day how that the Lord has delivered thee this day into my hands in the cave; and I would not slay thee, but spared thee, and said, I will not lift up my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Spares Saul
9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? 10Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.…

Cross References
Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Genesis 50:19-21
But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? / As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. / Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

James 5:6
You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered you to day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you: but my eye spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

bade me

1 Samuel 24:4
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

1 Samuel 26:8
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

the Lord's

1 Samuel 26:9
And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

Psalm 105:15
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

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1 Samuel 24
1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life
8. He shows thereby his innocence,
16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.














This day
The phrase "This day" emphasizes the immediacy and significance of the event. In the Hebrew context, "this day" (הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, hayyom hazeh) often marks a pivotal moment in biblical narratives. It underscores the divine orchestration of events, reminding us that God's timing is perfect and His plans unfold in His appointed time.

you have seen with your own eyes
The act of seeing "with your own eyes" (בְּעֵינֶיךָ, be'eynekha) is a powerful testament to personal experience and undeniable evidence. In biblical times, witnessing an event firsthand was crucial for establishing truth. This phrase highlights the transparency and authenticity of David's actions, as he appeals to Saul's own perception to validate his integrity.

how the LORD delivered you into my hand
The phrase "the LORD delivered you into my hand" (נְתָנְךָ יְהוָה בְּיָדִי, netan'kha YHWH beyadi) reflects the belief in divine sovereignty and providence. The Hebrew word for "delivered" (נָתַן, natan) implies a purposeful act of giving or entrusting. This underscores the theological conviction that God is actively involved in the affairs of men, orchestrating circumstances according to His will.

in the cave
The setting "in the cave" (בַּמְּעָרָה, bamma'arah) is significant both geographically and symbolically. Caves in the ancient Near East were often places of refuge and concealment. This particular cave becomes a stage for a profound moral and spiritual test, where David's restraint and respect for God's anointed are vividly displayed.

Some urged me to kill you
The phrase "Some urged me to kill you" (וַיֹּאמְרוּ לִי לַהֲרָגְךָ, vayomeru li laharogkha) reveals the pressure and temptation David faced from his men. The Hebrew verb "urged" (אָמַר, amar) can also mean "said" or "commanded," indicating the strong influence and counsel David received. This highlights the internal and external conflicts leaders often face when making ethical decisions.

but I spared you
The decision "but I spared you" (וָאֶחְמָל עָלֶיךָ, va'ekhmol aleikha) demonstrates David's mercy and self-control. The Hebrew verb "spared" (חָמַל, chamal) conveys compassion and restraint. David's choice to spare Saul, despite having the opportunity to harm him, exemplifies a commitment to righteousness and a deep respect for God's authority.

saying, ‘I will not lift my hand against my master
The declaration "I will not lift my hand against my master" (לֹא אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי בַּאדֹנִי, lo eshlach yadi ba'adoni) reflects David's recognition of Saul's God-given authority. The phrase "lift my hand" (אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי, eshlach yadi) is a Hebrew idiom for taking action, particularly violent action. David's refusal to harm Saul underscores his submission to God's order and his understanding of legitimate authority.

because he is the LORD’s anointed
The reason "because he is the LORD’s anointed" (כִּי מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה הוּא, ki meshiach YHWH hu) is rooted in the sacredness of God's chosen leaders. The term "anointed" (מְשִׁיחַ, meshiach) signifies one who is consecrated and set apart by God for a specific purpose. David's respect for Saul as the LORD's anointed reflects a profound reverence for God's decisions and the sanctity of His appointments. This principle of honoring God's anointed extends beyond the immediate context, serving as a timeless reminder of the importance of respecting those whom God has placed in positions of authority.

(10) Thine eyes have seen.--David and a crowd of armed men around him were standing at the entrance of the cave which King Saul had just left; thus the king's eye had seen--nay, was seeing that very moment--that his life had been in his enemy David's hand.

And some bade me kill thee.--The literal translation here would be Jehovah delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave, and bade [me] kill thee. And this rendering has been explained by assuming that God's allowing Saul to choose the very cavern for his midday slumber where David and his company were lodging was tantamount to directing David to slay his bitter foe, thus given over helpless into his hands; but this is contrary to the spirit of the whole narrative. The English Version has followed the Syriac and Chaldee Versions here, and by supplying "some"--better, perhaps, one--before "bade me kill thee," has given us the sense in which the Hebrews have always understood the passage. The Vulg. here, with a very slight change in the vowel points, renders "I thought to kill thee."

But mine eye spared thee.--The English Version supplies an obvious subject in "mine eye." Clericus suggests more happily, "my soul," or "my hand," before "spared thee."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Behold,
הִנֵּה֩ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

this
הַזֶּ֜ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

day
הַיּ֨וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

you have seen
רָא֣וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

with your own eyes
עֵינֶ֗יךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

delivered you
נְתָנְךָ֩ (nə·ṯā·nə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into my hand
בְּיָדִי֙ (bə·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

in the cave.
בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה (bam·mə·‘ā·rāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4631: A cavern

I was told
וְאָמַ֥ר (wə·’ā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to kill you,
לַהֲרָגֲךָ֖ (la·hă·rā·ḡă·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

but I spared
וַתָּ֣חָס (wat·tā·ḥās)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2347: To pity, look upon with compassion

you
עָלֶ֑יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and said,
וָאֹמַ֗ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I will not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

lift
אֶשְׁלַ֤ח (’eš·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

my hand
יָדִי֙ (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

against my lord,
בַּֽאדֹנִ֔י (ba·ḏō·nî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

since
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is the LORD’s
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

anointed.’
מְשִׁ֥יחַ (mə·šî·aḥ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4899: Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:10 Behold this day your eyes have seen (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 24:9
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