1 Samuel 24 7

1 Samuel 24:7 kjv

So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:7 nkjv

So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:7 niv

With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

1 Samuel 24:7 esv

So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.

1 Samuel 24:7 nlt

So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way,

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 7 Meaning

This verse encapsulates David’s unwavering moral and spiritual resolve, demonstrating his profound reverence for the divine appointment of King Saul. Despite having Saul within his grasp, David actively prevented his eager and loyal men from harming the king. His actions were guided by the principles he had just articulated—that one should never lay a hand on the Lord's anointed, no matter how wicked or antagonistic that anointed one may be. It signifies David’s commitment to allowing God to orchestrate justice and establish kings according to His divine timetable, rather than resorting to human violence or grasping power through unrighteous means.

1 Samuel 24 7 Context

First Samuel chapter 24 finds David, along with his men, hiding in the wilderness of Engedi, relentlessly pursued by King Saul who seeks to kill him out of intense jealousy and paranoia. Saul enters the very cave where David and his men are concealed, for a moment of solitude. David's men, seeing this as a providential opportunity, urge him to act upon it and slay Saul, fulfilling what they perceive as God’s promised delivery of his enemy into his hand. Instead of killing Saul, David merely cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe. Immediately, David's conscience is smitten, not for cutting the robe, but for laying a hand on the “Lord’s anointed,” demonstrating a profound and unique reverence for God’s appointed authority. This context is crucial, as David's subsequent action in verse 7—restraining his zealous men—is a direct overflow of his conviction stated in verse 6, and it profoundly reveals his character and deep trust in God’s justice and timing.

1 Samuel 24 7 Word analysis

• So (וַיְכַלֵּ֤א - wayyekalle): This conjunctive particle, often translated "and" or "then," signifies a direct consequence or continuation of the preceding action. It highlights David's immediate and decisive response following his conviction in verse 6. His self-rebuke leads directly to him controlling his men.
• David (דָּוִ֛ד - davīd): The central figure, the son of Jesse, chosen by God as the future king of Israel. His name, meaning "beloved," is consistently upheld by his actions throughout this narrative, reflecting a deep love for God's ordinances and principles, even over personal safety or worldly gain.
• restrained (וַיְכַלֵּ֤א - wayyekalle): From the root כָּלָא (kāla’), meaning "to shut up," "to hold back," "to confine," or "to hinder." It denotes a strong, authoritative, and active intervention, not merely passive persuasion. David exercised firm control over his eager men, demonstrating his spiritual and temporal authority. This word shows that David was resolute and forceful in preventing them.
• his servants (עֲבָדָ֖יו - ‘ǎvādāyw): Refers to David’s loyal followers and soldiers, men devoted to him, many of whom were initially distressed or marginalized individuals (1 Sam 22:2). Their loyalty to David was such that they were ready to take violent action on his behalf, making David’s restraint of them even more significant. They represent human expediency and zeal.
• with these words (בַּדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה - baddᵉvārîm hā’ēlleh): This refers directly to the spiritual and theological convictions David had just articulated in verse 6: "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed." His restraint was not merely physical but also rhetorical and principled, based on his deeply held belief. The power of David's spoken, Spirit-led words prevented murder.
• and did not permit (וְלֹא־נְתָנָ֥ם - wᵉlō’-nᵉtānām): Literally "and he did not give them." The verb נָתַן (nāthan), "to give," is used here in the sense of "to allow," "to permit," or "to surrender" to an action. It signifies a complete denial of their desire, an absolute prohibition. It wasn't that he couldn't stop them, but that he simply would not allow it, reinforcing his resolute stand.
• them (לָק֖וּם - lāqûm): Referring to his servants, highlighting the direct objects of his forceful prohibition.
• to rise up (לָק֖וּם - lāqûm): From the root קוּם (qûm), meaning "to stand," "to rise," or "to arise." In this context, it implies "to rise up against," suggesting hostile or violent action, an attack. David actively prevented any aggressive act against Saul.
• against Saul (עַל־שָׁאֽוּל - ‘al-šā’ûl): Specifies the intended victim of the servants’ violent impulses. This emphasizes David’s choice to honor God's anointed, despite the personal and political animosity Saul harbored against him. David's choice demonstrates a submission to God's will over immediate retribution or expedience.

• "So David restrained his servants": This phrase underlines David's authoritative spiritual leadership. It's not just a man avoiding evil, but a king-in-waiting ensuring his followers align with God's will, even when it seems counter-intuitive to their physical safety or desire for justice. It reveals David's character and his command over those who were fiercely loyal to him.
• "with these words": This clause emphasizes the power and influence of God-fearing discourse. David's profound theological reasoning (articulated in v. 6 about the Lord's anointed) was sufficient to check the violent intentions of battle-hardened men, illustrating how divine truth can control human impulse.
• "and did not permit them to rise up against Saul": This reinforces the totality of David’s intervention. His prevention was absolute and decisive. It showcases his active role in upholding the sanctity of God's chosen, refusing to take vengeance into his own hands and instead entrusting the situation to divine justice.

1 Samuel 24 7 Bonus section

This incident, and specifically David's restraining act, served as a crucial proving ground for his future kingship. It established David as a leader who operated according to God's principles rather than the prevailing political or military opportunism. His actions here cemented his spiritual authority in the eyes of his men, teaching them reverence for divine appointment and demonstrating the power of faith-driven obedience. It also subtly foreshadows the character of the ultimate King, the Messiah, who would likewise choose the path of suffering and submission to God's will over earthly power and retribution (Isa 53, 1 Pet 2:23). This principle was so deeply ingrained in David that he repeated the action later in 1 Samuel 26, solidifying his testimony as one who truly left vengeance to the Lord and refused to harm God's anointed. The passage thus serves as a timeless example of righteous conduct under duress, underscoring the spiritual dangers of taking matters into one's own hands when God has sovereignly appointed an authority, however flawed.

1 Samuel 24 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:7 powerfully demonstrates David's unique character as "a man after God's own heart." Amidst dire persecution, with his life continually sought by King Saul, David was presented with a perfect opportunity to eliminate his enemy and claim the throne. His men, driven by zeal and a desire for David's safety, actively encouraged him to seize this moment, perceiving it as a divine sanction. However, David's response reveals his profound reverence for God's anointed office. His action was not one of hesitation or weakness, but a deliberate and principled choice rooted in his understanding that Saul, despite his unworthiness, remained the Lord's chosen king. He didn't just passively refuse; he actively "restrained" his men with authoritative words, compelling them to submit to a higher, divine law. This decision illustrates David's deep trust in God's sovereignty and timing, choosing to wait for the Lord to establish him rather than seizing power through a violent, self-serving act. It is a striking example of ethical leadership, self-control, and faithful submission to God's ultimate plan, serving as a stark contrast to Saul's increasingly ungodly rule. David exemplifies a leader who is more committed to God's commands than to human strategies or personal revenge.