1Sa 24 | TNotes

24:2 ^a 3,000 elite troops: David’s force was outnumbered five to one (23:13 ^b).
24:4 ^c David’s men believed, as Saul did, that if the circumstances seem right, the Lord is telling you through those circumstances what to do (cp. 23:7 ^d).

• Perhaps David was able to cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe without being apprehended because Saul had taken off the robe and laid it aside, or perhaps he fell asleep in the cave.
24:5 ^e David’s conscience began bothering him because he had dishonored God’s anointed king.
24:6 ^f The Lord’s anointed one was not to be violated (26:9 ^g, 11 ^h, 16 ⁱ, 23 ^j; 2 Sam 1:14 ^k, 16 ^l; 19:21 ^m). David would not harm Saul even though God had anointed him to be the next king (1 Sam 16:13 ⁿ).
24:11 ^o my father: Saul was, in fact, David’s father-in-law (18:27 ^p). David was demonstrating his respect for the king and recalling a day when their relationship had been much friendlier.
24:12 ^q May the Lord judge: There was no human authority to adjudicate between Saul and David (cp. Gen 16:5 ^r; 31:53 ^s; Exod 5:21 ^t; Judg 11:27 ^u).

• Perhaps the Lord will punish you: David rested in God’s will rather than trying to force God’s hand.
24:13 ^v The proverb vindicates David and indicts Saul. David refrained from evil deeds, such as killing Saul. Saul, however, repeatedly tried to kill David.
24:20 ^w I realize that you are surely going to be king: This was Saul’s first open admission of the truth (cp. 23:17 ^x).
Summary for 1Sam 24:21-22: 24:21-22 ^y Now swear to me ... you will not kill my family: Having descendants was a way that Saul’s name would endure among the living. David had already sworn such an oath with Jonathan (20:14-17 ^z).