1 Samuel 24 19

1 Samuel 24:19 kjv

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

1 Samuel 24:19 nkjv

For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

1 Samuel 24:19 niv

When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.

1 Samuel 24:19 esv

For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

1 Samuel 24:19 nlt

Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 19 Meaning

1 Samuel 24:19 encapsulates David's recognition of God's hand in his deliverance and acknowledges Saul's recent, merciful act, setting a precedent for a leader's treatment of an enemy who demonstrates surprising compassion. David emphasizes that no one would release an enemy when they have them completely in their power, thus highlighting Saul's inexplicable decision as divinely influenced or a moment of true goodness. It reflects a core biblical principle that acts of righteousness are rewarded by God.

1 Samuel 24 19 Context

The verse is part of David's plea to Saul after David had the opportunity to kill Saul in a cave at En Gedi but spared him (1 Sam 24:3-7). David used the cut-off corner of Saul's robe as proof of his forbearance and then confronted Saul, maintaining his innocence and demonstrating his loyalty despite Saul's relentless pursuit. This confrontation follows a long period of Saul's paranoia and attempts to kill David. David’s speech in this chapter aims to appeal to Saul’s conscience, trust in God’s justice, and demonstrate his own commitment to not raising his hand against the Lord's anointed. This verse specifically underlines the unusual and counter-intuitive nature of Saul's recent act of letting David escape, hinting at its profound moral and perhaps divine significance.

1 Samuel 24 19 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, kī): A strong connective, indicating a reason or indeed, truly. It introduces a statement of widely acknowledged truth, giving weight to what follows.

• if (כִּי, kī): Here, used as a conditional "if," marking the hypothetical yet profoundly illustrative question. This reiterates the nature of what's being said.

• a man (אִישׁ, ’îš): Generic term for "a person," emphasizing the universal understanding of such an act. No specific individual, but any person.

• finds (יִמְצָא, yimtzā’): From the root מָצָא (mātsā’), meaning "to find, to encounter." Implies unexpected opportunity, discovery, or coming upon.

• his enemy (אֹיְבוֹ, ’ōyᵉvô): From the root אָיַב (’āyav), meaning "to be hostile." A strong term for an adversary, not just an opponent, but one who harbors enmity.

• will he let him go (יְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּ, yᵉshalleḥennû): From the root שָׁלַח (shālaḥ), meaning "to send away, to let go, to release." This is the core action David highlights—releasing an enemy. It is a rhetorical question implying a definitive "No."

• well? (לְדֶרֶךְ טוֹבָה, lᵉderekh tôvāh) : Literally "for a good way" or "on a good path." This phrase functions idiomatically, asking whether one would send him on a good way, i.e., release him safely or unharmed. It underscores the exceptional nature of Saul’s action. It’s not just letting him go, but letting him go unharmed.

• "For if a man finds his enemy": This phrase establishes the immediate, overwhelming advantage held by the one who finds his enemy. It's not a chance encounter in battle but an ambush, or finding an enemy when they are vulnerable. In Saul's case, David found him asleep and vulnerable in the cave, making David's act of restraint exceptional.

• "will he let him go well?": This rhetorical question highlights the counter-cultural and seemingly irrational nature of Saul's recent action (or, rather, David's previous action which Saul implicitly acknowledged by leaving David alive). Human nature, left to itself, would typically seize such an opportunity for revenge or self-preservation, ensuring the enemy can no longer pose a threat. The implicit answer is "no," which magnifies the surprising mercy shown. David sets up the expectation of typical human behavior to highlight Saul's deviation from it.

• "The Lord therefore reward you with good for what you have done this day.": David pivots immediately from the universal truth to a specific prayer or declaration of blessing upon Saul. This phrase shows David’s faith that God sees and rewards righteous actions, even from someone persecuting him. It subtly suggests that Saul’s decision to spare David was an act of "good" which deserves divine blessing, indicating David's desire for reconciliation or at least the cessation of conflict based on righteous conduct.

1 Samuel 24 19 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrase "לְדֶרֶךְ טוֹבָה" (lᵉderekh tôvāh) can also be translated literally as "to a good way." This highlights the notion that letting an enemy go isn't just releasing them, but allowing them to continue their life unmolested and safely on their journey. This magnifies the mercy involved. The passage also implicitly sets a standard for leaders and God's people: those chosen by God should reflect His character, which includes demonstrating mercy and trust in divine justice rather than resorting to immediate retaliation or human means of securing power. David's choice elevates principles over immediate advantage. This aligns with themes of waiting on God, not touching the Lord's anointed, and demonstrating trust in God's providence even in extreme personal danger.

1 Samuel 24 19 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:19 stands as a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between David and Saul. David’s rhetorical question "For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go well?" powerfully exposes the profound significance of David's restraint, making Saul’s eventual non-punishment of David a mirrored, yet still less intentional, act of 'good'. It underscores a truth both then and now: people rarely show mercy to an adversary when they have a decisive upper hand. This verse serves to impress upon Saul the moral enormity of David's mercy—David could have killed the king and seized the throne. Instead, he demonstrates radical self-control and faith in God’s timing. By stating "The Lord therefore reward you with good for what you have done this day," David expresses his belief in God's justice, that good actions, even unexpected ones like Saul letting David go, would be rewarded by divine blessing. This speaks to a profound biblical principle: divine reciprocity. It's a prayer, but also a subtle challenge to Saul, encouraging him to consider the implications of divine oversight. David is appealing to Saul’s conscience, pointing out that Saul has (for the moment) chosen a path of goodness rather than malevolence. This moment highlights David's commitment to the Lord’s anointed and his refusal to usurp God's sovereignty over the kingdom. It illustrates an instance of "loving your enemy" even before such an explicit command from Christ, demonstrating a divine heart.