1 Samuel 24 3

1 Samuel 24:3 kjv

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

1 Samuel 24:3 nkjv

So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. ( David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)

1 Samuel 24:3 niv

He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.

1 Samuel 24:3 esv

And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.

1 Samuel 24:3 nlt

At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave!

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 3 Meaning

First Samuel 24:3 describes the seemingly providential encounter where King Saul, while pursuing David in the wilderness, enters a cave for a private purpose, unaware that David and his men are hidden deep within it. This moment sets the stage for David's critical moral test concerning his reverence for God's anointed and his trust in divine timing.

1 Samuel 24 3 Context

This verse occurs in the Judean wilderness, where David is relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who is consumed by jealousy and a desire to kill David. Chapter 24 marks a pivotal moment where David has a clear opportunity to kill Saul, who has been hunting him for years, and thereby claim the throne that God had promised him. The specific geographical detail of the "sheepfolds" and a "cave" highlights the desolate nature of David's existence as a fugitive and the common features of the Judean wilderness. The scene is set with immense dramatic tension, leading to David's ultimate demonstration of faithfulness and restraint.

1 Samuel 24 3 Word analysis

• And he came: The subject "he" refers to Saul, emphasizing his direct movement towards this specific location. This is part of the divine orchestration of events, leading Saul to exactly where David is.
• to the sheepfolds (גְּדֵרוֹת - g’derot): These were low stone walls or natural rock formations used as enclosures for protecting sheep from predators and for overnight shelter, common in pastoral areas. Their presence indicates a secluded, remote place, away from main routes or settlements, typical of the wilderness.
• by the way: Suggests this was a stopping point on Saul's journey of pursuit, a casual and unsuspecting pause in his campaign against David.
• where there was a cave (מְעָרָה - me'arah): Caves were abundant in the limestone hills of the Judean wilderness, often used by shepherds, bandits, or fugitives for shelter. They varied in size and depth. This specific cave, later named "Engedi," provides a literal hidden sanctuary.
• and Saul went in: Implies a seemingly mundane action, yet pregnant with significance. He enters, oblivious to the hidden danger within.
• to cover his feet (לְהָסֵךְ אֶת־רַגְלָיו - l’hasekh et-raglav): This is a euphemism in Hebrew for relieving oneself, indicating a need for privacy. It highlights Saul's complete vulnerability and isolation at that moment. The phrase literally means "to cover his legs/feet," signifying that he was taking a posture that would shield him from view during a private bodily function. This common euphemism in ancient Hebrew texts points to the universal need for human privacy.
• Now David and his men were sitting: This stark contrast establishes the immediate proximity and unexpected juxtaposition. Saul walks into a situation he completely controls in his mind, but David, the pursued, is the one holding the decisive advantage. "Sitting" implies a posture of rest or waiting, perhaps suggesting their patient endurance in hiding.
• in the inner parts of the cave (בְּיַרְכְּתֵי הַמְעָרָה - b’yarkh’tey hamma’arah): Yarkh'tey means "sides" or "innermost parts," referring to the deepest, darkest, and most hidden recesses of the cave. This detail underscores Saul's extreme vulnerability—he is fully exposed in a place where he least expects opposition, while David and his men are perfectly concealed. This depth also emphasizes how unlikely it was for Saul to detect them.

1 Samuel 24 3 Bonus section

The geographical context of Engedi, where this event takes place, is significant. Engedi is a wilderness oasis on the Dead Sea's western shore, characterized by steep cliffs, deep wadis (valleys), and numerous caves, making it an ideal hideout for fugitives. Despite being a desolate area, Engedi had water sources and some vegetation, which made prolonged survival possible for David and his 600 men. This unique environment directly facilitated the encounter.

The theological implication of Saul's vulnerability and David's immediate advantage highlights God's providence. It demonstrates that God orchestrates events, even mundane ones like Saul needing privacy, to bring about His purposes and test His chosen ones. This moment also implicitly reinforces David's belief that his kingship would come solely by God's hand and not by usurping Saul's anointing. It counters the ancient world's typical response to a direct threat, where taking revenge or seizing power by force was often seen as a legitimate or necessary action. David's choice elevates divine wisdom above human cunning or natural inclination.

1 Samuel 24 3 Commentary

First Samuel 24:3 sets the stage for one of the Bible's most profound lessons on divine sovereignty, human temptation, and faithful restraint. The scene presents a meticulously orchestrated "coincidence" that is clearly God's hand at work: Saul, weary from the pursuit of David, steps into the very hiding place of his quarry for a private moment. This intimate detail, Saul's need "to cover his feet," highlights his absolute vulnerability, underscoring the ease with which David could have acted as his own deliverer and secured the throne. Yet, David's unseen presence in the "inner parts" of the cave symbolizes the unseen spiritual battle for his heart. The proximity and total concealment elevate the moral dilemma; it is not merely an opportunity to kill an enemy, but an immediate temptation to grasp a divine promise through human means, challenging David's patience and his reverence for God's anointed King.