1 Samuel 24 17

1 Samuel 24:17 kjv

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

1 Samuel 24:17 nkjv

Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.

1 Samuel 24:17 niv

"You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.

1 Samuel 24:17 esv

He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.

1 Samuel 24:17 nlt

And he said to David, "You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil.

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 17 Meaning

In this verse, King Saul makes a profound and emotional confession to David, acknowledging David's moral superiority and demonstrating his temporary remorse. Saul admits that David is "more righteous" (Hebrew: ṣaddîq mimmennî) than he is because David responded with goodness despite being repaid with evil by Saul. It captures a rare moment of clarity and contrition from Saul, recognizing David's virtuous conduct, especially his act of sparing Saul's life in the cave, which contrasts sharply with Saul's persistent attempts to harm David.

1 Samuel 24 17 Context

1 Samuel 24:17 follows one of the most remarkable encounters between David and Saul. David, constantly pursued by King Saul who sought his life, finds himself in the cave of En Gedi. Unbeknownst to Saul, David and his men are deeper inside the cave when Saul enters to relieve himself. David’s men urge him to kill Saul, interpreting the situation as divine deliverance. However, David refuses to harm Saul, reasoning, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed." (1 Sam 24:6). Instead, David only cuts off a corner of Saul's robe as proof of his restraint.

After Saul leaves the cave, David reveals himself and speaks to Saul, showing him the piece of his robe. This unexpected display of mercy and reverence profoundly impacts Saul. Overwhelmed, Saul raises his voice and weeps, leading to this poignant confession in verse 17, recognizing David's exceptional character in contrast to his own actions. Historically, this event demonstrates David's steadfast trust in God to bring about justice, refusing to take vengeance into his own hands against God's appointed king, even an unjust one.

1 Samuel 24 17 Word Analysis

• He said to David: Refers to Saul speaking directly to David. This immediate, personal address signifies a raw, emotional moment for the king.
• "You are more righteous than I" (אַתָּה צַדִּיק מִמֶּנִּי - 'attāh ṣaddîq mimmennî):
  • אַתָּה ('attāh): "You (singular)." Emphasizes David's individual moral standing.
  • צַדִּיק (ṣaddîq): "Righteous, just, in the right." This word describes someone in right standing with God, acting in accordance with His ethical standards. Saul's use of this word acknowledges David's spiritual and moral uprightness, which is profoundly humbling for a king admitting it to one he hunts as a traitor. It’s an admission that David's character aligns more closely with divine principles.
  • מִמֶּנִּי (mimmennî): "From me," used here in a comparative sense, "than I." Saul sees David not just as righteous in himself, but demonstrably more righteous than his own actions portray him. This comparison is a damning self-assessment.
• "for you have repaid me good" (כִּי אַתָּה גְמַלְתַּנִי טוֹבָה - kî 'attāh gəmalttanî ṭōvâ):
  • כִּי (kî): "For, because." Introduces the reason for Saul's declaration of David's superior righteousness.
  • גְמַלְתַּנִי (gəmalttanî): Form of the verb gāmal (גָּמַל), meaning "to deal with, to recompense, to reward, to perform/do a deed." Here, it signifies David's proactive performance of goodness.
  • טוֹבָה (ṭōvâ): "Goodness, benefit, kindness, welfare." Refers specifically to David sparing Saul's life, a direct act of benevolence contrary to human expectation in such circumstances.
• "whereas I have repaid you evil" (וַאֲנִי גְמַלְתִּיךָ רָעָה - wa'ănî gəmalttîḵā rāʿâ):
  • וַאֲנִי (wa'ănî): "And I" or "But I." The conjunction implies a stark contrast and highlights Saul's self-incrimination.
  • גְמַלְתִּיךָ (gəmalttîḵā): Another form of gāmal, meaning "I have recompensed you." Saul recognizes his actions as deliberate, continuous repayment of malevolence towards David.
  • רָעָה (rāʿâ): "Evil, wickedness, harm, misery, adversity." This term describes Saul’s relentless, malicious persecution of David. It denotes moral depravity and injurious intent.

Words-group analysis:

• "You are more righteous than I": This confession is significant not only as a personal admission but also as a public (albeit private, initially) vindication of David. From the mouth of the one actively seeking his death, David is declared ṣaddîq (righteous). This undermines Saul's legitimacy in persecuting David and inadvertently affirms God's choice. It signifies a profound moral victory for David.
• "for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil": This clause provides the explicit ethical basis for Saul's admission. It highlights the stark contrast in their responses to adversity. David's decision to show mercy (doing good) when he could have exacted vengeance (doing evil) reveals a character aligned with divine principles of love and forgiveness. Saul acknowledges his own pattern of malevolence versus David's consistent benevolence, illustrating that righteousness is not merely about innocence but about actively choosing benevolent responses in the face of malice.

1 Samuel 24 17 Bonus section

• This verse represents a fulfillment of the principle taught in Exodus 23:4-5 regarding helping one's enemy's donkey, applied here at a national leadership level by David.
• Saul's acknowledgment of David's ṣaddîq (righteous) status can be viewed as an indirect validation of David's future kingship, suggesting that God indeed favored David due to his adherence to divine standards, contrary to Saul's increasingly self-serving and disobedient reign.
• While Saul confesses his rāʿâ (evil) actions, his confession is a powerful, emotional outburst but tragically does not lead to sustained repentance or change in his future behavior (as evidenced in 1 Sam 26), underscoring the difference between momentary remorse and true, transforming repentance.

1 Samuel 24 17 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:17 stands as a powerful testament to David's unwavering integrity and his trust in divine justice. Saul’s confession, delivered with tears, is a rare moment of lucidity in his troubled reign, recognizing David's exemplary character and actions which transcend conventional revenge. By admitting "You are more righteous than I," Saul validates David's spiritual authority and God's hand upon him, even if he fails to fully repent or alter his own course. This scene illustrates the profound impact of showing grace and kindness even to enemies. David, through his obedience to the divine injunction not to harm the Lord's anointed, embodied a higher righteousness that confounded his persecutor. The contrasting "good" David repaid against Saul's "evil" serves as a timeless example of how a God-honoring response can momentarily convict even the most hardened heart, offering a fleeting glimpse of hope for reconciliation, although tragically, for Saul, it was a hope unfulfilled.