1 Samuel 24 5

1 Samuel 24:5 kjv

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

1 Samuel 24:5 nkjv

Now it happened afterward that David's heart troubled him because he had cut Saul's robe.

1 Samuel 24:5 niv

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.

1 Samuel 24:5 esv

And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

1 Samuel 24:5 nlt

But then David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe.

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 5 Meaning

Immediately following the act of secretly cutting off a corner of King Saul's robe, David experienced intense inner conviction and remorse. His conscience, prompted by the Holy Spirit, smote him deeply, signifying his realization that he had committed a transgression against the sacred person and divinely appointed office of Saul, "the Lord's anointed." Even a seemingly minor violation of a king's garment was recognized by David as an affront to God's authority.

1 Samuel 24 5 Context

1 Samuel 24 finds David hiding from Saul in a cave near En Gedi. Saul, relentless in his pursuit, coincidentally enters the very cave where David and his 600 men are hiding, to relieve himself. David's men seize upon this miraculous opportunity, urging David to kill Saul, interpreting it as God delivering Saul into David's hand. Instead, David approaches stealthily and only cuts off a corner of Saul's robe. This verse, 1 Samuel 24:5, marks David's immediate internal reaction after this seemingly minor act. Historically, kings were seen as having a special divine favor or anointing, particularly in Israel where they were appointed by God Himself. Saul, despite his disobedience, was still "the Lord's anointed" (מְשִׁיחַ יְהוָה, meshiach Yahweh). David's action, while sparing Saul's life, was nevertheless an intrusion upon the sacred person and royal symbol of God's chosen king, triggering his profound conviction. The cutting of a garment also carries symbolic weight, seen earlier in Samuel's robe being torn in 1 Sam 15:27-28, signifying the rending of Saul's kingdom. David’s conscience in this moment demonstrates his unwavering respect for God’s divine appointment over even his personal safety and ambitions, a profound contrast to Saul's disregard for God's word.

1 Samuel 24 5 Word analysis

• Afterward (וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי-כֵן, wayhī 'aḥărê-kēn):

  • This phrase indicates an immediate sequence, "and it came to pass after this." It stresses that the remorse followed directly and quickly upon the physical action, not as a delayed or intellectual processing. It signals a critical, instantaneous internal event.

• David's heart (לֵב דָּוִד, lēḇ dāwiḏ):

  • lēḇ (heart) in Hebrew refers to the whole inner being—the mind, will, intellect, emotions, conscience, and moral center, not merely the physical organ. It is the seat of moral discernment and spiritual understanding.
  • This highlights that David's conviction was not merely regret or fear of consequence, but a deep spiritual distress arising from his inner core.

• struck him (וַיַּךְ ... אֹתוֹ, wayyak ... 'ōṯō from verb נכה, nakah):

  • nakah means to strike, smite, beat, wound. Here, it is used metaphorically to describe an intense internal impact or wound.
  • It vividly portrays the forcefulness and pain of the conscience at work, like a physical blow from within. This is distinct from casual regret; it is a profound moral shock.

• because he had cut off (עַל אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת, ʿal 'ăšer kāraṯ):

  • ʿal 'ăšer means "because, on account of what." It clearly attributes the conviction directly to the preceding action.
  • kāraṯ (to cut, cut off) is a strong verb. While often associated with "cutting a covenant" (כָּרַת בְּרִית), indicating establishment or breaking, here it is a literal act of severing. However, given the symbolic significance of royal garments, the act itself can be seen as "severing" or disrespecting the established order/covenant with God's anointed.

• Saul's skirt (אֶת-כְּנַף מְעִילוֹ שָׁאוּל, 'eṯ kənāp̄ mə'îlō šā'ūl):

  • kənāp̄ (skirt/corner): Literally "wing," can refer to the edge, border, or corner of a garment. Symbolically, the kanaf could represent protection, identity, or honor (cf. Ruth 3:9 where Boaz's 'skirt' offers protection). It represents the outer boundary or extremity of Saul's person/dignity.
  • mə'îl (robe/mantle): A full outer garment, often worn by individuals of high status, kings, priests, or prophets. It symbolized authority, office, and dignity (e.g., Samuel's mantle, priestly robes).
  • The action of cutting the kanaf of the me'il was not mere vandalism but a symbolic, profound violation. It was an assault on the king's person and the very authority God had vested in him, even though David refrained from a direct physical attack on Saul himself.

• Words-group: "David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt."

  • This entire clause presents a cause-and-effect relationship between a specific physical act and an internal spiritual consequence. It showcases David's keen sensitivity to moral transgression and his reverence for God's anointing. It wasn't the missed opportunity to kill, but the "minor" act of dishonor, that pricked his conscience. This underlines a core difference in David's character compared to Saul, who often rationalized or ignored God's commands (cf. 1 Sam 15). David recognized the gravity of even seemingly small acts against divinely appointed authority.

1 Samuel 24 5 Bonus section

The active role of David's conscience, lēḇ, in this passage contrasts sharply with what we often see in ancient Near Eastern monarchies where a rival taking a piece of a king's garment or even his life would be celebrated as a power assertion, not regretted as a sin. This underscores a distinct feature of Israelite kingship as revealed by God: the king was God's deputy, and disrespect to him, even in small ways, was disrespect to God Himself. This verse thus contains a subtle polemic against pagan views of kingship, where power was merely brute force or lineage; in Israel, it was tied to divine appointment and commanded reverence. David's response also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on respecting governing authorities (Rom 13) and the internal work of the Spirit in convicting believers (John 16:8). The immediate, visceral reaction in David's heart is a testament to the ongoing sanctifying work and his deep fear of the Lord, a quality Saul severely lacked. It shows David’s understanding that authority, even in a fallen ruler, comes from God.

1 Samuel 24 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:5 is a pivotal verse, revealing the profound spiritual depth and integrity of David. His conscience, guided by his reverence for God and God's anointing, was so active that even a symbolic, non-lethal act against Saul led to deep remorse. This act, while a testament to David's self-restraint and respect for God's choice in Saul, was still a trespass against the office of the Lord's anointed king. David's immediate reaction signifies his acute awareness of divine sovereignty and the sacredness of even deeply flawed, God-ordained authority. It underlines that a pure heart is sensitive not only to overt sins but also to perceived dishonors against what God has established. This internal conviction highlights David's unique character as a "man after God's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14), distinguishing him from Saul and indeed from many other leaders of his time who might have considered such an act trivial or justified. It's a testament to the Holy Spirit's convicting work in the lives of those truly seeking to follow God.