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1 Samuel 24:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 24:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men`s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men`s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
1 Samuel 24:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men`s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah`s anointed.
11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.
12Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
← 1 Samuel 24:81 Samuel 24:10 →
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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 David said to Saul, wherefore hearest thou men’s words, etc.] The false charges and accusations, that some of Saul’s courtiers brought against David, as Doeg the Edomite, and such like sycophants and flatterers, to whom Saul hearkened, and believed what they said, and acted upon it. David chose rather to lay the blame on Saul’s courtiers than on himself; and he began with him in this way, the rather to reconcile him to him, and cause him to listen to what he had to say: and represents them as saying to him, behold, David seeketh thy hurt? seeks to take away thy life, and seize upon thy crown and throne; than which nothing was more foreign from him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David was quite aware that there were flatterers at Saul’s court who were continually inflaming the King’s mind by their false accusations against him. This explains the language of many of the Psalms, e. g. Psalms 10:0; Psalms 11:1-7; Psalms 12:1-8; Psalms 35:0; and many more. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa1 26:19; Lev 19:16; Psa 101:5, Psa 141:6; Pro 16:28, Pro 17:4, Pro 18:8, Pro 25:23; Pro 26:20-22, Pro 26:28, Pro 29:12; Ecc 7:21, Ecc 7:22; Jam 3:6 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 24:10”
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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