1 Samuel 24:20

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

And now, behold, I know well {H3045} that thou shalt surely {H4427} be king {H4427}, and that the kingdom {H4467} of Israel {H3478} shall be established {H6965} in thine hand {H3027}.

Now I'm certain that you will indeed become king, and that the kingship of Isra'el will be established in your hands.

Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.

Commentary

1 Samuel 24:20 captures a pivotal moment of grudging recognition from King Saul towards David, acknowledging David's divinely ordained future as the next king of Israel.

Context of 1 Samuel 24:20

This verse is spoken by King Saul to David after David has spared Saul's life in the cave of En Gedi. Saul, relentlessly pursuing David to kill him, entered a cave where David and his men were hiding. David, having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, instead merely cut off a corner of Saul's robe, demonstrating his respect for God's anointed king and his refusal to harm him (1 Samuel 24:6). Overwhelmed by David's righteousness and mercy, Saul weeps and acknowledges David's superior character and the undeniable truth of God's plan for David to become king. This scene highlights the stark contrast between Saul's jealous obsession and David's unwavering trust in God's timing and justice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Destiny: Saul's admission confirms that God's plan for David to rule Israel was immutable, despite Saul's attempts to thwart it. It underscores the truth that God establishes kingdoms and raises up leaders according to His will (Daniel 2:21).
  • Recognition of Righteousness: Even an enemy like Saul could not deny David's uprightness and the favor of God upon him. David's act of mercy in the cave served as a powerful testimony to his character and God's hand upon him.
  • The Inevitable Succession: This verse foreshadows the transfer of the Israelite monarchy from the house of Saul to David, a transition that had been divinely declared long before (1 Samuel 15:28). Saul himself, in this moment of clarity, acknowledges the inevitable.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "I know well" (ื™ึธื“ึนืขึท ื™ึธื“ึทืขึฐืชึผึดื™, yadoa' yadati) uses a common Hebrew construction called an infinitive absolute, which intensifies the verb. It conveys a strong sense of certainty and emphatic knowledge, essentially meaning "I absolutely know" or "I know beyond a doubt." This emphasizes the profound and undeniable nature of Saul's realization regarding David's future kingship.

Related Scriptures

This divine assurance of David's kingship echoes the initial anointing of David by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13, where the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. Saul's own rejection as king had been pronounced earlier due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23). The establishment of David's kingdom is later fulfilled, as seen in 2 Samuel 5:12, where it states that David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 24:20 reminds us that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, regardless of human opposition or jealousy. For believers, it offers comfort that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even when facing unjust persecution. It encourages us to trust in His timing and to respond with mercy and integrity, even to those who seek to harm us, just as David did. Our character and actions, especially in difficult situations, can bear powerful witness to God's presence in our lives, sometimes even convicting our adversaries.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 23:17

    And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

  • Matthew 2:3

    When Herod the king had heard [these things], he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

  • Matthew 2:6

    And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

  • 2 Samuel 3:17

    And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past [to be] king over you:

  • 2 Samuel 3:18

    Now then do [it]: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

  • Matthew 2:13

    ยถ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

  • 1 Samuel 20:30

    Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious [woman], do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
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