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1 Samuel 24:6

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And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

And he said {H559} unto his men {H582}, The LORD {H3068} forbid {H2486} that I should do {H6213} this thing {H1697} unto my master {H113}, the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899}, to stretch forth {H7971} mine hand {H3027} against him, seeing he is the anointed {H4899} of the LORD {H3068}.

He said to his men, "ADONAI forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord, ADONAI's anointed, as raise my hand against him! After all, he is ADONAI's anointed."

So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah’s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah’s anointed.

Commentary

1 Samuel 24:6 is a profound verse that encapsulates David's unwavering reverence for God's sovereignty and His chosen instruments, even when those instruments are hostile towards him. It reveals David's steadfast character and faith, distinguishing him from his persecutor, King Saul.

Context of 1 Samuel 24:6

This pivotal moment occurs during a period of intense persecution, where King Saul, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, relentlessly hunted David to kill him. David and his men were hiding in a cave near En-gedi. Unbeknownst to Saul, he entered this very cave to relieve himself. David's men saw this as a divinely ordained opportunity to end their ordeal and urged David to strike Saul down. However, David's response in this verse demonstrates his deep spiritual principles, choosing restraint over revenge.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Respect for God's Anointed: David's primary reason for refusing to harm Saul was his recognition that Saul was "the LORD'S anointed." Despite Saul's unrighteous actions and attempts on David's life, David understood that Saul's kingship was divinely established, and therefore, only God had the right to remove him. This highlights a profound reverence for divine authority and appointment.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Instead of taking justice or vengeance into his own hands, David chose to trust that God would ultimately deal with Saul and fulfill His promises concerning David's future kingship. This act of restraint underscores David's faith in God's perfect timing and ultimate justice.
  • David's Integrity and Character: This incident serves as a powerful testament to David's remarkable integrity, self-control, and adherence to spiritual principles, even under extreme provocation. It vividly contrasts David's heart with Saul's, showcasing why David was known as a man after God's own heart.

Linguistic Insights

The crucial phrase, "the LORD'S anointed," is a translation of the Hebrew word mashiaḥ (מָשִׁיחַ), from which the English word "Messiah" is derived. It signifies someone consecrated or set apart by God for a special office, typically a king, priest, or prophet, through anointing with oil. David's deep respect for this sacred designation prevented him from laying hands on Saul.

Related Scriptures

David himself was also anointed by Samuel, a divine act that Saul himself had experienced earlier in his reign (1 Samuel 10:1). David's commitment to this principle is further emphasized when he again refuses to harm Saul in 1 Samuel 26:9-11. This unwavering stance aligns with the broader biblical teaching that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 24:6 offers timeless lessons for believers today, encouraging us to:

  • Respect Authority: Even when those in positions of authority are flawed or act unjustly, this verse reminds us that their position may be divinely ordained, calling for a measure of respect for the office, if not always the individual.
  • Trust God's Timing: When faced with opportunities to take matters into our own hands, David's example encourages us to wait on God's perfect timing and method for justice and change.
  • Maintain Integrity: In situations of conflict or provocation, choosing to act with integrity and according to God's principles, rather than succumbing to personal revenge or immediate gratification, reveals true spiritual maturity.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Job 31:29 (3 votes)

    If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

  • Job 31:30 (3 votes)

    Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

  • Romans 12:14 (3 votes)

    Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

  • Romans 13:2 (3 votes)

    Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

  • Matthew 5:44 (2 votes)

    But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

  • 2 Samuel 1:14 (2 votes)

    And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (2 votes)

    See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].