1 Samuel 24 9

1 Samuel 24:9 kjv

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

1 Samuel 24:9 nkjv

And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Indeed David seeks your harm'?

1 Samuel 24:9 niv

He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'?

1 Samuel 24:9 esv

And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?

1 Samuel 24:9 nlt

Then he shouted to Saul, "Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 9 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 24:9, David confronts King Saul, directly challenging the false accusations spread by individuals who claimed David sought Saul's demise. David's question is a plea for Saul to reject the deceitful counsel of others and acknowledge David's true intentions and actions, particularly in light of David's recent act of sparing Saul's life in the cave. It underscores the destructive power of misinformation and paranoia.

1 Samuel 24 9 Context

1 Samuel 24 details one of the most significant encounters between David and Saul. David, continuously pursued by a jealous and increasingly unstable King Saul, finds himself in an cave at Engedi. Saul enters the very cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and his men are deeper inside. David's men urge him to seize the opportunity to kill Saul, as they interpret it as divine providence. However, David restrains himself, merely cutting off a corner of Saul's robe, regretting even that small act of disrespect toward God's anointed king.

After Saul leaves the cave, David cries out to him from a distance, initiating the conversation in verse 9. This direct address follows David's display of integrity (sparing Saul) and his clear demonstration that the accusations against him are false. David's question is a direct challenge to Saul's persistent distrust, seeking to bring reconciliation and end the persecution.

1 Samuel 24 9 Word analysis

• Then David said to Saul, "Why do you listen: The opening signifies a direct, bold, and personal appeal after the physical distance is created.
  • "Why do you listen": From the Hebrew verb shama' (שמע), meaning to hear, to listen, and by extension, to heed or obey. David isn't merely asking why Saul's ears registered the sounds, but why he gives credence and authority to these specific reports, allowing them to shape his actions and beliefs. It questions Saul's judgment and discernment. Saul's fundamental flaw was often hearing (listening) to wrong counsel.
• to the words: Hebrew divrei (דִּבְרֵי), plural of davar (דָּבָר). Refers to specific speech, utterances, or matters. This isn't abstract fear, but concrete allegations David is refuting.
• of men: Hebrew anashim (אֲנָשִׁים), a general term for human beings, implying ordinary, fallible people. This term can suggest individuals who are either misinformed, malicious, or sycophantic. It highlights that Saul is placing trust in human-generated slander rather than objective reality or, implicitly, divine guidance. These are likely Saul's courtiers or those who seek favor by spreading rumors about David.
• who say, "Behold, David seeks your harm?":
  • "who say": Denotes active accusation and dissemination of lies.
  • "Behold, David seeks": Hebrew yebaqqēsh (יְבַקֵּשׁ), from baqash (בָּקַשׁ), meaning to seek, search for, or desire earnestly. It implies a deliberate and active pursuit.
  • "your harm": Hebrew ra'atekha (רָעָתֶךָ), meaning evil, trouble, calamity, or injury. The accusation is that David is actively plotting Saul's downfall, whether through death or significant injury. David's question directly refutes this by pointing to his recent action of sparing Saul's life. This is the precise slander that fueled Saul's irrational jealousy and persecution.

1 Samuel 24 9 Bonus section

• David's rhetorical question in this verse is not seeking information, but rather a direct challenge and an appeal to Saul's conscience and reason. It's a strategic move to disarm Saul's anger by exposing its unfounded basis.
• The tension in this verse lies between words (false accusations) and deeds (David sparing Saul). David leverages his recent action as irrefutable evidence against the slander.
• This scene beautifully foreshadows New Testament teachings on loving enemies and not repaying evil for evil. David, though persecuted, chooses reconciliation over revenge, seeking peace despite profound injustice.
• The incident highlights the destructive nature of unchecked suspicion and paranoia in leadership. Saul’s willingness to credit negative reports over concrete evidence (David's faithfulness and integrity) ultimately contributed to his downfall.
• David's concern is not just his own reputation but Saul's spiritual and moral state. He wants Saul to be free from the influence of deceit and to see truth.

1 Samuel 24 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 24:9 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating David's integrity and his patient, God-honoring approach to a difficult situation. Rather than leveraging his advantage to eliminate Saul, David's response reveals his reliance on divine justice and his deep respect for God's anointed, regardless of Saul's unrighteous conduct. His question to Saul serves as a powerful rhetorical device, forcing Saul to confront the irrationality of his fear in light of David's demonstrable actions. David implicitly challenges Saul to move beyond paranoia and the poisonous influence of sycophantic advisors, who might benefit from the king's distrust. This moment highlights David's steadfast character, illustrating principles of confronting evil with good and trusting God's timing for kingship, rather than resorting to human violence. It’s a testament to the fact that while enemies may sow seeds of discord through words, a life lived with integrity speaks louder.