TRV
Translation
King James Version
For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
Complete Jewish Bible
A man finds his enemy and lets him go unharmed?! May ADONAI reward you well for what you did to me today.
Berean Standard Bible
When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
American Standard Version
For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
World English Bible Messianic
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou hast shewed this day, that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had closed me in thine hands, thou killedst me not.
Young's Literal Translation
and that a man doth find his enemy, and hath sent him away in a good manner; and Jehovah doth repay thee good for that which thou didst to me this day.
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24 verses 16–22
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? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed 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.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
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.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
Here we have,
I. Saul's penitent reply to David's speech. It was strange that he had patience to hear him out, considering how outrageous he was against him, and how cutting David's discourse was. But God restrained him and his men; and we may suppose Saul struck with amazement at the singularity of the event, and much more when he found how much he had lain at David's mercy. His heart must have been harder than a stone if this had not affected him. 1. He melted into tears, and we will not suppose them to have been counterfeit but real expressions of his present concern at the sight of his own iniquity, so plainly proved upon him. He speaks as one quite overcome with David's kindness: Is this thy voice, my son David? And, as one that relented at the thought of his own folly and ingratitude, he lifted up his voice and wept, Sa1 24:16. Many mourn for their sins that do not truly repent of them, weep bitterly for them, and yet continue in love and league with them. 2. He ingenuously acknowledges David's integrity and his own iniquity (Sa1 24:17): Thou art more righteous than I. Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the light, Psa 37:6. Those who take care to keep a good conscience may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. This fair confession was enough to prove David innocent (even his enemy himself being judge), but not enough to prove Saul himself a true penitent. He should have said, Thou are righteous, but I am wicked; but the utmost he will own is this: Thou art more righteous than I. Bad men will commonly go no further than this in their confessions; they will own they are not so good as some others are; there are those that are better than they, and more righteous. He now owns himself under a mistake concerning David (Sa1 24:18): "Thou hast shown this day that thou art so far from seeking my hurt that thou hast dealt well with me." We are too apt to suspect others to be worse affected towards us then really they are, and than perhaps they are proved to be; and when, afterwards, our mistake is discovered, we should be forward to recall our suspicions, as Saul does here. 3. He prays God to recompense David for this his generous kindness to him. He owns that David's sparing him, when he had him in his power, was an uncommon and unparalleled instance of tenderness to an enemy; no man would have done the like; and therefore, either because he thought himself not able to give him a full recompence for so great a favour, or because he found himself not inclined to give him any recompence at all, he turns him over to God for his pay: The Lord reward thee good, Sa1 24:19. Poor beggars can do no less than pray for their benefactors, and Saul did no more. 4. He prophesies his advancement to the throne (Sa1 24:20): I know well that thou shalt surely be king. He knew it before, by the promise Samuel had made him of it compared with the excellent spirit that appeared in David, which highly aggravated his sin and folly in persecuting him as he did; he had as much reason to say concerning David as David concerning him, How can I put forth my hand against the Lord's anointed? But now he knew it by the interest he found David had in the people, the special providence of God in protecting him, and the generous kingly spirit he had now given a proof of in sparing his enemy. Now he knew it, that is, now that he was in a good temper he was willing to own that he knew it and to submit to the conviction of it. Note, Sooner or later, God will force even those that are of the synagogue of Satan to know and own those that he has loved, and to worship before their feet; for so is the promise, Rev 3:9. This acknowledgement which Saul made of David's incontestable title to the crown was a great encouragement to David himself and a support to his faith and hope. 5. He binds David with an oath hereafter to show the same tenderness of his seed and of his name as he had now shown of his person, Sa1 24:21. David had more reason to oblige Saul by an oath that he would not destroy him, yet he insists not on that (if the laws of justice and honour would not bind him, an oath would not), but Saul knew David to be a conscientious man, and would think his interests safe if he could get them secured by his oath. Saul by his disobedience had ruined his own soul, and never took care by repentance to prevent that ruin, and yet is very solicitous that his name might not be destroyed nor his seed cut off. However, David swore unto him, Sa1 24:22. Though he might be tempted, not only in revenge, but in prudence, to extirpate Saul's family, yet he binds himself not to do it, knowing that God could and would establish the kingdom to him and his, without the use of such bloody methods. This oath he afterwards religiously observed; he supported Mephibosheth, and executed those as traitors that slew Ishbosheth. The hanging up of seven of Saul's posterity, to atone for the destruction of the Gibeonites, was God's appointment, not David's act, and therefore not the violation of this oath.
II. Their parting in peace. 1. Saul, for the present, desisted from the persecution. He went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of his envy of David, yet retaining in his breast that root of bitterness; vexed that, when at last he had found David, he could not at that time find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. God has many ways to tie the hands of persecutors, when he does not turn their hearts. 2. David continued to shift for his own safety. He knew Saul too well to trust him, and therefore got him up into the hold. It is dangerous venturing upon the mercy of a reconciled enemy. We read of those who believed in Christ, and yet he did not commit himself to them because he knew all men. Those that like David are innocent as doves must thus like him be wise as serpents.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 16–22. Public domain.
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Basil of CaesareaAD 379
CONCERNING ENVY
Not even this act of benevolence moved Saul, however. Again he gathered an army and again he set out in pursuit, until he was a second time apprehended by David in the cave where he more clearly revealed his own iniquity and made the virtue of David even more resplendent. Envy is the most savage form of hatred. Favors render those who are hostile to us for any other reason more tractable, but kind treatment shown to an envious and spiteful person only aggravates his dislike. The greater the favors he receives, the more displeased and vexed and ill-disposed he becomes.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 24:19 captures David's profound act of mercy and his unwavering trust in divine justice, spoken to King Saul after David spared his life in the cave of Engedi. This verse encapsulates David's exceptional character, demonstrating his refusal to retaliate against his persecutor, choosing instead to commit the outcome to the Lord. It highlights the counter-intuitive nature of David's forbearance and his expectation that God would justly respond to his righteous deed.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
1 Samuel 24:19 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question: "For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away?" This question is not meant to be answered but to emphasize the exceptional and unexpected nature of David's mercy. It highlights the stark contrast between human instinct (retaliation) and David's divinely inspired forbearance. There is also a strong element of Irony present, as the hunted (David) shows profound mercy to the hunter (Saul), subverting the expected power dynamics and demonstrating David's moral and spiritual superiority. The second part of the verse functions as a Prayer or Imprecation, a direct appeal to God for action and a declaration of trust in divine recompense. David's words also create a powerful Contrast between the typical human response to an enemy and the divine standard of mercy and trust in God's justice that David embodies. This verse serves as a microcosm of David's character, revealing his deep faith and commitment to God's ways even in the face of extreme provocation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on divine justice, human responsibility, and the nature of true righteousness. David's act of sparing Saul, followed by his prayer for God to "reward" Saul with "good" because of David's own mercy, demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of God's character and His covenant faithfulness. It teaches that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice and that vengeance belongs to Him. By entrusting Saul's fate to God, David exemplifies a faith that transcends personal injury and seeks God's righteous intervention rather than human retribution. This act of grace towards an enemy, rooted in reverence for God's anointed, sets a powerful precedent for future biblical teachings on loving one's adversaries and trusting in God's sovereign plan, knowing that God will ultimately recompense all deeds according to His perfect will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 24:19 stands as a timeless challenge to believers regarding their response to those who wrong them. David's example in the cave of Engedi calls us to a higher standard than mere human retaliation. It teaches us that true strength is found not in vengeance, but in forbearance and trust in God's ultimate justice. When faced with opportunities to "get even" or to harm those who have hurt us, David's actions urge us to choose mercy, even when it feels counter-intuitive or undeserved. This requires a deep-seated faith that God sees our righteous acts and that He is capable of bringing about justice and recompense in His own perfect timing. Furthermore, David's prayer for God to reward Saul "good" because of David's own good deed is a profound call to pray for our enemies, desiring God's blessing and intervention in their lives, even if they remain hostile. It reminds us that our acts of mercy are not just for the benefit of the recipient, but are also seen and honored by God, who promises to bless those who walk in righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did David spare Saul's life, especially when he had such a clear opportunity to end his persecution?
Answer: David spared Saul's life primarily out of profound reverence for God's anointed king. Despite Saul's persistent and irrational hatred, David consistently refused to lay a hand on him because Saul was the Lord's chosen and anointed ruler, as he declared in 1 Samuel 24:6. David believed that only God had the right to remove or judge His chosen king. This decision also stemmed from David's deep trust in God's justice and sovereignty. He was confident that God would ultimately deliver him and establish His purposes, without David needing to resort to human vengeance or usurpation. David's actions demonstrate his commitment to God's timing and methods, rather than his own.
What does David mean by "the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day"? Is he asking God to bless Saul for Saul's actions?
Answer: David is not asking God to bless Saul for anything good Saul has done. Rather, he is asking God to "reward" (or "deal with") Saul "good" because of David's own righteous act of sparing Saul's life. David is essentially invoking God's justice and faithfulness to respond to his act of mercy. He believes that his act of showing grace to Saul is a "good" deed in God's eyes, and he is praying that God would, in turn, extend goodness to Saul, perhaps leading to a cessation of Saul's persecution or even a change of heart. It's a prayer for God to respond to David's righteousness by influencing Saul's situation for the better, demonstrating God's reciprocal nature in blessing those who act righteously.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 24:19, with David's extraordinary act of mercy toward his enemy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's refusal to retaliate and his prayer for God to "reward" Saul with "good" foreshadow the perfect love and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. While David spared his enemy, Jesus, though perfectly innocent, willingly laid down His life for those who were His enemies, reconciling them to God, as powerfully declared in Romans 5:8-10. The rhetorical question, "For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away?" is answered definitively in Christ, who not only let His enemies "go well away" but actively pursued their redemption, even praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" from the cross. David's trust in God's justice, rather than human vengeance, points to Christ, who "when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously," as we read in 1 Peter 2:23. The "good" that David prayed for Saul, a divine reward for an act of mercy, is ultimately realized in the gospel, where God's ultimate "good" is extended to humanity through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe, even those who were once hostile to God and alienated in their minds by wicked works, as described in Colossians 1:21-22. David's act of mercy is a shadow; Christ's sacrifice is the substance, revealing the boundless depths of God's love for His enemies.