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<!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 24:3 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/24-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/09_1Sa_24_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 24:3 - David Spares Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. 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David and his men were far back in the cave. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24.htm">New Living Translation</a> At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave! <a href="/esv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24.htm">King James Bible</a> And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/24.htm">New King James Version</a> So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1995</a> He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/24.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/24.htm">Amplified Bible</a> On the way he came to the sheepfolds where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the cave’s innermost recesses. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/24.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/24.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the back of the cave, <a href="/asv/1_samuel/24.htm">American Standard Version</a> And 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. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/24.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> There were some sheep pens along the side of the road, and one of them was built around the entrance to a cave. Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding at the back of the cave. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/24.htm">English Revised Version</a> And 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. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/24.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He came to some sheep pens along the road where there was a cave. Saul went into [it] to relieve himself while David and his men were sitting further back in the cave. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/24.htm">Good News Translation</a> He came to a cave close to some sheep pens by the road and went in to relieve himself. It happened to be the very cave in which David and his men were hiding far back in the cave. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/24.htm">International Standard Version</a> He came to the sheepfolds beside the road. There was a cave there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/24.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. <a href="/net/1_samuel/24.htm">NET Bible</a> He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/24.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. <a href="/web/1_samuel/24.htm">World English Bible</a> He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/24.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he comes to folds of the flock, on the way, and there [is] a cave, and Saul goes in to cover his feet; and David and his men are abiding in the sides of the cave. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/24.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he cometh in unto folds of the flock, on the way, and there is a cave, and Saul goeth in to cover his feet; and David and his men in the sides of the cave are abiding. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/24.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will come to the sheepfolds upon the way, and there a cave; and Saul will come in to cover his feet: and David and his men dwelling in the sides of the cave.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/24.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he came to the sheepcotes, which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/24.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 24:4> And he arrived at the sheepfolds, which presented themselves along the way. And a cave was in that place, which Saul entered, so that he might ease his bowels. But David and his men were hiding in the interior part of the cave. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/24.htm">New American Bible</a> When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/24.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/24.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he came to the sheepfolds on the way where there was a cave; and Saul went into the cave and lay down there; and David and his men were staying on the slope of the cave. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/24.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he came to folds of sheep which were in the road and there was a cave, and Shaul entered the cave and slept there, and David and his men were dwelling on the lower parts of the cave<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/24.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And 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 sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/24.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he came to the flocks of sheep that were by the way, and there was a cave there; and Saul went in to make preparation, and David and his men were sitting in the inner part of the cave. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/24-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7060" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/24.htm">David Spares Saul</a> …2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3<a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">Soon Saul came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: haṣ·ṣōn (Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">the sheepfolds</a> <a href="/hebrew/1448.htm" title="1448: giḏ·rō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A wall. Feminine of gader; enclosure."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">along</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: had·de·reḵ (Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the road,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: wə·šām (Conj-w:: Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">where there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/4631.htm" title="4631: mə·‘ā·rāh (N-fs) -- A cave. From uwr; a cavern.">a cave,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">and he</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">went in</a> <a href="/hebrew/5526.htm" title="5526: lə·hā·sêḵ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- Or sakak; a primitive root; properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, protect.">to relieve</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/7272.htm" title="7272: raḡ·lāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">himself.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: wə·ḏā·wiḏ (Conj-w:: 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 David</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: wa·’ă·nā·šāw (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">and his men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šə·ḇîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">were hiding</a> <a href="/hebrew/3411.htm" title="3411: bə·yar·kə·ṯê (Prep-b:: N-fdc) -- Flank, side, extreme parts, recesses. Feminine of yarek; properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess.">in the recesses</a> <a href="/hebrew/4631.htm" title="4631: ham·mə·‘ā·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A cave. From uwr; a cavern.">of the cave.</a> 4So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/57-1.htm">Psalm 57:1-11</a> For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed. / I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. / He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth. ... <a href="/psalms/142-1.htm">Psalm 142:1-7</a> A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy. / I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. / Although my spirit grows faint within me, You know my way. Along the path I travel they have hidden a snare for me. ... <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a> But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19-21</a> 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. <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a> 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. <a href="/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24</a> and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it. <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Judges 15:8</a> And he struck them ruthlessly with a great slaughter, and then went down and stayed in the cave at the rock of Etam. <a href="/1_kings/19-9.htm">1 Kings 19:9</a> There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” <a href="/psalms/34-1.htm">Psalm 34:1-22</a> Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. / My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. / Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. ... <a href="/psalms/52-1.htm">Psalm 52:1-9</a> For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. / Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah ... <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a> Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a> 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. <a href="/romans/5-10.htm">Romans 5:10</a> For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! <a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a> 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. <a href="/genesis/19-30.htm">Genesis 19:30</a> Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains—for he was afraid to stay in Zoar—where they lived in a cave.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.the sheepcotes.Travels, vol.<a href="/psalms/141-6.htm">Psalm 141:6</a> When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.to cover<a href="/judges/3-24.htm">Judges 3:24</a> When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.David<a href="/psalms/57-1.htm">Psalm 57:1</a> To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.<a href="/psalms/142-1.htm">Psalm 142:1</a> Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-1.htm">Cave</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">Deepest</a> <a href="/judges/15-19.htm">Hollow</a> <a href="/judges/16-12.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/john/7-38.htm">Innermost</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/numbers/32-36.htm">Pens</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-22.htm">Private</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-15.htm">Recesses</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-13.htm">Relieve</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-28.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-19.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/judges/5-16.htm">Sheepfolds</a> <a href="/judges/20-43.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-22.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/26-3.htm">Abiding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Cave</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-18.htm">Deepest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-29.htm">Hollow</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-6.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-19.htm">Innermost</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm">Part</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-43.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-28.htm">Pens</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-14.htm">Private</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-5.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/28-3.htm">Recesses</a> <a href="/job/16-5.htm">Relieve</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-10.htm">Rock</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-5.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-2.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-28.htm">Sheepfolds</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-22.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 24</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life</a> 8. <a href="/1_samuel/24-8.htm">He shows thereby his innocence,</a> 16. <a href="/1_samuel/24-16.htm">Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road This phrase sets the scene in the wilderness of En Gedi, a rugged area near the Dead Sea known for its caves and rocky terrain. Sheepfolds were enclosures used by shepherds to protect their flocks, indicating this was a common grazing area. Saul, the first king of Israel, was pursuing David, who had been anointed by Samuel as the future king. This pursuit highlights the tension between Saul's declining reign and David's rise. The road suggests a well-traveled path, emphasizing the strategic location of the encounter.where there was a cave Caves in this region were often used as shelters or hideouts due to their natural formation. The mention of a cave is significant as it provides a setting for a pivotal moment in David's life. Caves in biblical narratives often symbolize places of refuge or divine encounters, as seen with Elijah at Mount Horeb. This cave becomes a place of testing for David, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God using wilderness experiences to shape His leaders.and he went in to relieve himself This detail humanizes Saul, showing his vulnerability and the mundane aspects of life even for a king. It also sets up the dramatic irony of the situation, as Saul is unaware of David's presence. The act of relieving oneself in a cave underscores the privacy Saul sought, contrasting with the public nature of his pursuit of David. This moment of vulnerability is a turning point, offering David an opportunity to harm Saul, which he ultimately refrains from doing, demonstrating his respect for God's anointed.And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave David's presence in the cave with his men highlights his status as a fugitive and leader of a loyal band of followers. The "recesses" suggest a deeper part of the cave, indicating strategic positioning and the providential nature of their hiding place. This scenario is a test of David's character and leadership, as his men urge him to seize the opportunity to kill Saul. David's decision to spare Saul's life reflects his faith in God's timing and justice, aligning with the biblical principle of respecting God's anointed and foreshadowing Christ's teaching on loving one's enemies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, and a man after God's own heart. At this point, he is fleeing from King Saul, who seeks to kill him. 2. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, who has fallen out of favor with God due to his disobedience. He is pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_cave.htm">The Cave</a> A significant location where David and his men are hiding. It becomes a place of testing for David's character and faith. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sheepfolds.htm">The Sheepfolds</a> Areas where sheep are kept, indicating a rural setting. This detail sets the scene for the encounter between David and Saul. 5. <a href="/topical/d/david's_men.htm">David's Men</a> Loyal followers of David who are with him in the cave. They play a role in advising David during this critical moment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/restraint_and_mercy.htm">Restraint and Mercy</a> David's choice not to harm Saul, despite having the opportunity, teaches us about exercising restraint and showing mercy, even to those who wrong us. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> David's refusal to take matters into his own hands demonstrates a deep trust in God's timing and sovereignty over his life and future. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_secrecy.htm">Integrity in Secrecy</a> David's actions in the cave, away from public view, highlight the importance of maintaining integrity even when no one is watching. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_influence.htm">Leadership and Influence</a> David's decision not to kill Saul influences his men, showing how leaders can impact others through their actions and decisions. <a href="/topical/t/testing_of_character.htm">Testing of Character</a> The cave incident serves as a test of David's character, reminding us that our true character is often revealed in moments of pressure and temptation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_24.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 24</a> <a href="/q/how_did_david_hide_from_saul_in_the_cave.htm">How could David and his men remain completely unnoticed by Saul’s large army in the same cave (1 Samuel 24:3)? </a> <a href="/q/why_no_archaeological_proof_of_david.htm">Psalm 63:1 mentions David in the wilderness of Judah—why is there no confirmed archaeological record of his presence there? </a> <a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_david's_cave_in_psalm_57.htm">If David truly wrote Psalm 57 while hiding in a cave, why is there no direct archaeological evidence confirming this event or location (Psalm 57:1)? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_psalm_142_4_align_with_1_sam_22_2.htm">Psalm 142:4 shows David claiming no one cares for him—how does this reconcile with 1 Samuel 22:2, where he has loyal followers? </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>(3) The sheepcotes.--Thomson (The Land and the Book) saw, he says, hundreds of these sheepcotes around the mouth of the caves, of which there are so many in Palestine. In that land and among these Eastern peoples, whose customs change so little, they are as common now as they were then. "These sheepcotes are generally made by piling up loose stones in front of the cave's entrance in a circular wall, which is covered with thorns as a further protection against thieves and wild animals who would prey on the sheep. During cold storms and in the night the flocks retreat into the cave, but at other times they remain in the enclosed cote. . . . These caverns are as dark as midnight, and the keenest eye cannot see four paces inward; but one who has been long within, and looking outward toward the entrance, can observe with perfect distinctness all that takes place in that direction. David, therefore, could watch Saul as he came in . . . but Saul could see nothing but impenetrable darkness."From this thorny fence, so universal in the countless sheepcotes of Palestine, was very possibly derived a quaint simile in the strange passage on "Death" in the Talmud:--"The hardest of all deaths is by a disease (some suppose quinsey), which is like the forcible extraction of prickly thorns from wool. . . . The easiest of all deaths is the Divine kiss, which is like the extracting of hair from milk. Moses, Aaron, and Miriam died by this Divine kiss."--Treatise Berachoth, fol. 8, col.1.Where was a cave.--The well-known traveller Van de Velde wishes to identify the cave in question with an immense cavern in a rock with many side vaults, near the ruins of Chareitum; the difficulty is, however, that this vast cavern is fifteen or twenty miles from Ain-jedy. In this cave all David's band could well have been gathered: not only his 600 fighting men, but the camp followers and women also. In Pocock we read that the Arabs call this cavern Elmaama (hiding-place), and relate how on one occasion thirty thousand people hid themselves in it to escape an evil wind (the simoom). It is, however, quite possible that the incident about to be related, connected with Saul and David, took place in one of the much smaller caves close to En-gedi. It is not necessary to assume that all David's band were with him in one cave. A hundred or so of his more special companions were probably with him on this occasion, the remainder of the little army being dispersed in other similar refuges in the immediate neighbourhood.And Saul went in to cover his feet.--The meaning of this disputed passage is quite simple. Saul, fatigued with the morning's march, some time about midday withdrew--probably with a very few attendants composing his personal staff--to take a short siesta, or sleep, in one of those dark, silent caves on the hill-side, which offered a cool resting-place after the glare and heat of a long and fatiguing march along the precipitous paths of the region. He lay down, no doubt, near the cave's mouth, and one of his faithful attendants threw lightly over the king's feet the royal many coloured mantle (m'il). The king and his attendants little suspected that in the dark recesses of their midday resting-place were concealed the dreaded freebooter and a great company of his devoted armed followers. As explained in the Note above, in these great rock recesses, coming from outside, from the glare of daylight, not five paces forward can be seen, but those already inside, and accustomed to the darkness, can, at a considerable distance within the cave, see distinctly all that takes place in the neighbourhood of the cavern mouth. The sharp eyes of David's sentinels, no doubt, far in the cave, quickly saw the little party of intruders. The tall form of the king, his jewelled armour, and perhaps his many-coloured brightly-tinted cloak, betrayed to the amazed watchmen of David the rank of the wearied sleeper.This interpretation of the words. "Saul went in to cover his feet"--namely, "to sleep"--is adopted by the Peshito Syriac Version, Michaelis, and of late, very positively, Ewald. The ordinary interpretation of the words, besides being an unusual statement, by no means suits the narrative; for it must be remembered that considerable time was necessary for the sentinel to inform David, and for David to have approached and cut off the hem of the royal garment, and again to have retired into the recesses of the cave.In the sides of the cave.--That is, in the side vaults and passages which exist in the largest of these natural refuges.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/24.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - He came to the sheepcotes. Rather, "to sheepcotes," there being no article in the Hebrew. Such sheepcotes were common in Palestine; for Thomson (p. 603) says, "I have seen hundreds of these sheepcotes around the mouth of caverns, and indeed there is scarcely a cave in the land, whose location will admit of being thus occupied (i.e. by the flocks), but has such a "cote" in front of it, generally made by piling up loose stones into a circular wall, which is covered with thorns, as a further protection against robbers and wild beasts. During cold storms, and in the night, the flocks retreat into the cave, but at other times they remain in this enclosed cote .... These caverns are as dark as midnight, and the keenest eye cannot see five paces inward; but one who has been long within, and is looking outward toward the entrance, can observe with perfect distinctness all that takes place in that direction. David, therefore, could watch Saul as he came in, and notice the exact place where he "covered his feet," while Saul could see nothing but "impenetrable darkness." To cover his feet. The Syriac understands this of sleeping; more correctly the Vulgate and Chaldee take it as in <a href="/judges/3-24.htm">Judges 3:24</a>, margin. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/24-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Soon Saul came וַ֠יָּבֹא (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the sheepfolds הַצֹּ֤אן (haṣ·ṣōn) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock along עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the road, הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ (had·de·reḵ) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action where there was וְשָׁ֣ם (wə·šām) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither a cave, מְעָרָ֔ה (mə·‘ā·rāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4631.htm">Strong's 4631: </a> A cavern and he שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites went in וַיָּבֹ֥א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to relieve לְהָסֵ֣ךְ (lə·hā·sêḵ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5526.htm">Strong's 5526: </a> To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protect himself. רַגְלָ֑יו (raḡ·lāw) Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> A foot, a step, the pudenda And David וְדָוִד֙ (wə·ḏā·wiḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse and his men וַאֲנָשָׁ֔יו (wa·’ă·nā·šāw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person were hiding יֹשְׁבִֽים׃ (yō·šə·ḇîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in the recesses בְּיַרְכְּתֵ֥י (bə·yar·kə·ṯê) Preposition-b | Noun - fdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3411.htm">Strong's 3411: </a> Flank, side, extreme parts, recesses of the cave. הַמְּעָרָ֖ה (ham·mə·‘ā·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4631.htm">Strong's 4631: </a> A cavern <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/24-3.htm">1 Samuel 24:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-3.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 24:3 He came to the sheep pens (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 24:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 24:4" /></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>