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1 Samuel 24:17

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 24:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
1 Samuel 24:17 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.
16And 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.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
18And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not.
19For 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.
20And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
← 1 Samuel 24:161 Samuel 24:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said to David, thou [art] more righteous than I, etc.] By which it appears he thought himself righteous, though David was more so; the righteousness of David was so glaring, that his enemy himself being judge acknowledges it, but will not confess his own wickedness, having no true sense of sin, nor real sorrow for it: for thou hast rewarded me good; in times past, and now; heretofore in killing Goliath, fighting his battles for him against the Philistines, driving the evil spirit from him, by playing on the harp before him, and now by sparing his life, only cutting off the skirt of his garment, when he could with equal ease have cut off his head: whereas I have rewarded thee evil: in…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“More righteous than I - He ingenuously acknowledges David's integrity, and his own iniquity. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou art: Sa1 26:21; Gen 38:26; Exo 9:27; Psa 37:6; Mat 27:4 thou hast: Mat 5:44; Rom 12:20, Rom 12:21 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:18”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification