Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Samuel Ch.24 / 31 Ch.s
1SA:24
* David spares Saul's life. (1-7) David shows his innocence.
(8-15) Saul acknowledges his fault. (16-22)
#1-7 God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity
given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise
of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons
strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul
any hurt. Sin is a thing which it becomes us to startle at, and
to resist temptations thereto. He not only would not do this bad
thing himself, but he would not suffer those about him to do it.
Thus he rendered good for evil, to him from whom he received
evil for good; and was herein an example to all who are called
Christians, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil
with good.
#8-15 David was falsely charged with seeking Saul's hurt; he
shows Saul that God's providence had given him opportunity to do
it. And it was upon a good principle that he refused to do it.
He declares his fixed resolution never to be his own avenger. If
men wrong us, God will right us, at farthest, in the judgment of
the great day.
#16-22 Saul speaks as quite overcome with David's kindness. Many
mourn for their sins, who do not truly repent of them; weep
bitterly for them, yet continue in love and in league with them.
Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him
to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the
light, #Ps 37:6|. Those who take care to keep a good conscience,
may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. Sooner or
later, God will force even those who are of the synagogue of
Satan to know and to own those whom he has loved. They parted in
peace. Saul went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of
his envy to David, yet retaining in his breast that root of
bitterness; vexed that when at last he had found David, he could
not find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. Malice
often seems dead when it is only asleep, and will revive with
double force. Yet, whether the Lord bind men's hands, or affect
their hearts, so that they do not hurt us, the deliverance is
equally from him; it is an evidence of his love, and an earnest
of our salvation, and should make us thankful.