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1 Samuel 24:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 24:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul`s skirt.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul`s skirt.
1 Samuel 24:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
4And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul`s robe privily.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul`s skirt.
6And 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.
7So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
← 1 Samuel 24:41 Samuel 24:6 →
← Full Chapter 24 1 Samuel Overview

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 it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, etc.] His conscience accused him, and he repented of what he had done: because he had cut off Saul’s skirt; which though less than what his servants put him upon, and he might have thoughts of doing, yet was considered by him as a great indignity to his sovereign, and therefore sat uneasy on his mind.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David’s heart smote him - He thought the action inconsistent with the respect which he owed to the king. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:5 David’s conscience began bothering him because he had dishonored God’s anointed king.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“David's heart: Sa2 12:9, Sa2 24:10; Kg2 22:19; Jo1 3:20, Jo1 3:21 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:6”
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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