CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 24:9 and said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you'?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/24-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/09_1Sa_24_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 24:9 - David Spares Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you'?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/24-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/24-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/24.htm">Chapter 24</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm" title="1 Samuel 24:8">◄</a> 1 Samuel 24:9 <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm" title="1 Samuel 24:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/24.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He said to Saul, &#8220Why do you listen when men say, &#8216David is bent on harming you&#8217?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/24.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David is seeking to harm you’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />David said to Saul, &#8220Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, &#8216Behold, David seeks to harm you&#8217?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to do you evil’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘David seeks to harm you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of people who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, &#8220Why do you listen to the words of people who say, &#8216Look, David intends to harm you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/24.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and said: Your Majesty, why do you listen to people who say that I'm trying to harm you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David asked Saul, "Why do you listen to rumors that I am trying to harm you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/24.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and said, "Why do you listen to people who say that I am trying to harm you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/24.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then David told Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say, 'Look, David is trying to harm you?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and said to Saul, ?Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ?Look, David intends to harm you??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/24.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, "Why do you pay attention when men say, 'David is seeking to do you harm'?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'Look, David seeks your harm?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/24.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And David says to Saul, “Why do you hear the words of man, saying, Behold, David is seeking your calamity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David saith to Saul, 'Why dost thou hear the words of man, saying, Lo, David is seeking thine evil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David will say to Saul, Why wilt thou hear the words of man, saying, Behold, David is seeking thy hurt?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And said to Saul: Why dost thou hear the words of men that say David seeketh thy hurt? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 24:10> And he said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say: ‘David seeks evil against you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, You must not listen to the words of the men who say, Behold, David seeks your hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David said to Shaul: “You should not hear the words of men who say, “Behold, David seeks your harm!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And David said to Saul: 'Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying: Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David said to Saul, Why dost thou hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks thy life?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/24-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7136" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm">David Spares Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: lə·šā·’ūl (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">to Saul,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: ṯiš·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">do you listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">to the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of men</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">who say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">‘Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">intends</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">to harm you’?</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19-21</a></span><br />Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Matthew 5:9</a></span><br />Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-18</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-19.htm">Genesis 50:19-21</a></span><br />But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? / As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. / Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31-32</a></span><br />Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1</a></span><br />A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19-20</a></span><br />My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And David said to Saul, Why hear you men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-19.htm">1 Samuel 26:19</a></b></br> Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if <i>they be</i> the children of men, cursed <i>be</i> they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16</a></b></br> Thou shalt not go up and down <i>as</i> a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Psalm 101:5</a></b></br> Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-21.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-19.htm">Harming</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-12.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">Hearest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-18.htm">Hearkenest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-21.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-28.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Words</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/30-24.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-23.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-19.htm">Harming</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-24.htm">Hearest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-18.htm">Hearkenest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-7.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-16.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-17.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/2_samuel/16-11.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-19.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Words</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 24</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">He shows thereby his innocence,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/24.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/24.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and said to Saul</b><br>David addresses Saul directly, showing respect for Saul's position as king despite Saul's pursuit of him. This encounter takes place in the wilderness of En Gedi, a rugged area near the Dead Sea, which provided natural hiding places. David's approach to Saul reflects the biblical principle of respecting authority, as seen in <a href="/romans/13.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a>, where believers are instructed to submit to governing authorities.<p><b>Why do you listen to the words of men</b><br>David questions Saul's reliance on the counsel of others, highlighting the danger of listening to false reports or gossip. This reflects the biblical theme of discernment and the importance of seeking God's wisdom over human advice, as emphasized in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>. The influence of advisors in a king's court was significant, and Saul's susceptibility to their words reveals his insecurity and paranoia.<p><b>who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?</b><br>David challenges the false accusation that he seeks to harm Saul. This accusation is unfounded, as David consistently demonstrates loyalty to Saul, even sparing his life when he had the opportunity to kill him. This situation foreshadows the unjust accusations Jesus faced, as seen in <a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-61</a>, where false witnesses testified against Him. David's integrity and restraint serve as a type of Christ, who also responded to false accusations with grace and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently fleeing from King Saul. David is known for his faithfulness to God and his refusal to harm Saul, despite being pursued by him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who has become increasingly paranoid and jealous of David, fearing that David will take his throne.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_cave_of_en_gedi.htm">The Cave of En Gedi</a></b><br>A location in the wilderness where David and his men were hiding when Saul entered to rest. It is here that David had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose to spare his life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/men_of_david.htm">Men of David</a></b><br>David's loyal followers who urged him to take advantage of the opportunity to kill Saul, but David restrained them, demonstrating his respect for God's anointed king.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness_of_en_gedi.htm">The Wilderness of En Gedi</a></b><br>A rugged, desert area near the Dead Sea, providing a backdrop for the encounter between David and Saul.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_anointed.htm">Respect for God's Anointed</a></b><br>David's refusal to harm Saul, despite Saul's pursuit, demonstrates a deep respect for God's chosen leader. This teaches us to honor and respect those in authority, trusting God's timing and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_to_godly_counsel.htm">Listening to Godly Counsel</a></b><br>David's decision not to listen to his men who urged him to kill Saul shows the importance of discerning and following godly counsel over human advice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_justice.htm">Trusting God's Justice</a></b><br>David's actions reflect a profound trust in God's justice and timing. We are reminded to rely on God to right wrongs rather than taking matters into our own hands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_personal_vendettas.htm">Overcoming Personal Vendettas</a></b><br>David's mercy towards Saul challenges us to overcome personal vendettas and extend grace, even to those who wrong us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>David questions why Saul listens to false accusations, highlighting the impact of words and the importance of seeking truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 24</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_grudges.htm">What does the Bible say about holding grudges?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_cutting_saul's_robe_prove_innocence.htm">How does David's act of cutting Saul's robe (1 Samuel 24:4-5) reliably prove his innocence when no neutral witnesses are mentioned?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_made_david_count_israel's_troops.htm">Who incited David to count the fighting men of Israel? God did (2 Samuel 24: 1) Satan did (I Chronicles 2 1:1)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_sam_24_9_and_1_chr_21_differ.htm">Why is there a discrepancy between the numbers given in 2 Samuel 24:9 and 1 Chronicles 21 for the same census?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/24.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Wherefore hearest thou men's words?</span>--David had many deadly enemies at the court of Saul, who evidently laboured with success to deepen Saul's jealousy, and to widen the breach which already existed between the king and David. Doeg has been already mentioned as one of the more prominent of these slanderers; another was Cush the Benjamite, who was alluded to in the inscription which heads the seventh Psalm. The Ziphites and their representatives at the royal residence also belonged to this class of malicious foes spoken of here.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9, 10.</span> - In his address David complained of Saul's listening to <span class="cmt_word">men's words,</span> which slanderously represented him as lying in wait to kill the king (comp. <a href="/1_samuel/22-8.htm">1 Samuel 22:8</a>). In answer to their calumnies he now pleads Saul's own experience of his deeds. <span class="cmt_word">Some bade me kill thee.</span> Hebrew, "he bade to kill thee." The literal rendering is, "Jehovah delivered thee today into my hand, and bade kill thee." The A.V. supplies <span class="accented">some</span>, or, more exactly, "<span class="accented">one</span> said." This is supported by the Syriac and Chaldee, but the literal rendering is probably the right one. Had David killed Saul, it would have seemed as if it were ordered by Providence so to be, and as if by putting Saul into his power God had intended his death. But what seem to us to be the leadings of Providence are not to be blindly followed. Possibly David's first thought was that God intended Saul to die, and so the Vulgate, "I thought to kill thee. But immediately a truer feeling came over his mind, and he recognised that opportunities, such as that just given him, may be temptations to be overcome. The highest principles of religion and morality do not bend to external circumstances, but override them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/24-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִד֙</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Saul,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשָׁא֔וּל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֧מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you listen</span><br /><span class="heb">תִשְׁמַ֛ע</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who say,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Look,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָוִ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">intends</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to harm you’?</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָתֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/24-9.htm">1 Samuel 24:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/24-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 24:9 David said to Saul Why listen you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>