1 Samuel 24 22

1 Samuel 24:22 kjv

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

1 Samuel 24:22 nkjv

So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 24:22 niv

So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 24:22 esv

And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 24:22 nlt

So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 22 Meaning

The verse concludes the significant encounter in the cave where David spares Saul’s life. David fulfills the solemn oath requested by Saul, promising not to destroy his lineage and thus respecting the divinely ordained future. Following this agreement, Saul departs to his royal residence, a place of assumed safety and authority, while David, ever prudent and aware of the volatile nature of his adversary, withdraws with his men to a secure stronghold. This stark contrast highlights David’s wisdom, his continued reliance on divine protection, and his strategic vigilance, demonstrating that while he honored the oath and Saul’s momentary remorse, he remained cautious and dependent on God rather than Saul's transient acknowledgment.

1 Samuel 24 22 Context

Chapter 24 describes David's flight from Saul into the wilderness of En Gedi. Saul, pursuing David, providentially enters the very cave where David and his men are hiding to relieve himself. David’s men urge him to seize this opportunity to kill Saul, but David, revering God’s anointed king, refuses to raise a hand against him. Instead, he subtly cuts off a corner of Saul's robe. After Saul leaves, David calls out to him, showing him the robe piece as proof that he had an opportunity to kill him but chose not to, demonstrating his innocence and loyalty. Overwhelmed, Saul weeps, acknowledges David’s righteousness, admits David will be the next king, and pleads for David to swear an oath not to destroy his descendants. Verse 22 then records David's compliance and the subsequent separation of the two parties. This event showcases David's remarkable self-restraint and faith in God's timing, sharply contrasting with Saul's impulsive and destructive behavior.

1 Samuel 24 22 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: vaya'as - and he did/made) - This conjoins David's action directly to Saul's request in the preceding verses, indicating immediate and honorable compliance.
• David: (Hebrew: Dawid - beloved) - The name itself resonates with God’s covenantal love. Here, David acts out of a commitment that distinguishes him from ruthless power-seekers, showcasing his moral uprightness.
• swore: (Hebrew: vayishava - and he swore an oath) - To "swear" was a profoundly solemn act in ancient Israel, invoking God as witness and guarantor. It carried significant weight, binding the person to their word and demonstrating reverence for the covenant tradition, even with an enemy.
• to Saul: (Hebrew: leSha'ul) - The direct object. Despite Saul's relentless animosity, David upheld the seriousness of the oath toward him, emphasizing David’s integrity.
• Then Saul went home,: (Hebrew: Vayelekh Sha'ul lebeyto - and Saul went to his house/home) - This signifies Saul’s departure from the field of pursuit and his return to his base, implying a resumption of royal normalcy and comfort. It signals a momentary respite in his pursuit of David.
• but David and his men went up: (Hebrew: v'Dawid va'anashav 'alu - and David and his men went up) - The strong contrast ("but") emphasizes the divergent paths and realities of the two leaders. While Saul returns to a fixed abode, David continues a life of transient refuge. "Went up" suggests moving to higher ground, indicative of strategic elevation for defense.
• to the stronghold. (Hebrew: el ha-metsudah - to the fortress, fortified place) - This indicates David's continued awareness of danger and his prudence. It’s not a home in the conventional sense, but a strategic defensive position. This highlights David's wisdom: he respected the oath, but he did not forget Saul’s instability and paranoia, maintaining vigilance and trust in divine protection in such places. This aligns with many Psalms where God is called a "stronghold."

1 Samuel 24 22 Bonus section

• The "stronghold" that David and his men retreated to was not a symbol of retreat from his divine destiny but rather a temporary strategic maneuver, showcasing David's practical wisdom combined with his faith. This place of refuge often became a site of profound communion with God for David, serving as the setting for many psalms reflecting on divine protection.
• Saul’s request for an oath regarding his "seed" or "name" (1 Sam 24:21) reflects a common ancient Near Eastern concern of rulers that their legacy might be utterly extinguished by a succeeding dynasty, a practice seen among many conquering kings. David’s solemn oath to preserve Saul's lineage stands in stark contrast to these ruthless practices, further affirming his divine anointing and merciful nature, rooted in the covenant understanding of justice and continuity.
• David's willingness to swear to his persecutor aligns with his broader pattern of deferring vengeance to God, as seen repeatedly when opportunities arise for him to harm Saul (e.g., 1 Sam 26). This reflects a profound theological conviction that judgment belongs to God alone.

1 Samuel 24 22 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:22 serves as the concluding frame for a profound spiritual and ethical drama. David’s adherence to the solemn oath he makes to Saul regarding his descendants reveals his unwavering integrity and deep reverence for the sacredness of a sworn promise, even when given to his mortal enemy. This action highlights David’s character as one truly after God's heart, prioritising divine principles over personal vengeance or ambition. While Saul, temporarily softened, returns to his familiar royal surroundings, David's choice to retreat to a stronghold, rather than a place of settled security, underscores his realistic understanding of Saul’s mercurial nature and his own need for continued vigilance. It signifies that David’s trust remained in God’s provision and protection, not in Saul’s temporary repentance. The verse thus sets a model for how a righteous person deals with adversaries, exhibiting both covenant loyalty and wise discernment.