John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah`s anointed." — 1 Samuel 24:10 (ASV)
Behold, this day your eyes have seen Or may see; there is full proof and evidence of it, and which will be presently shown:
how that the Lord had delivered you today into my hand in the cave ; from where they were both just come:
and [some] urged [me] kill you ; some of the men that were with David, some of his officers or principal friends put him upon it, having a fair opportunity, and thinking it no evil, since he was his enemy, and sought his life; or "it said, kill you"; my heart prompted me to it, that said so at first, as Ben Gersom interprets it; some refer it to God, who in his providence said so, or so it might be understood by David, as if Providence directed him to it, by giving him such an opportunity of doing it:
but [my eye] spared you ; had pity on him, and notwithstanding the suggestions of friends, and of his own heart at first, or the seeming direction of Providence, yet he had mercy on him, and forbore slaying him:
and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord ; and king, whose subject I am:
for he [is] the Lord's anointed ; the Lord has raised him to this dignity; invested him with the office of a king, and as such I regard him, and therefore have refrained my hand from him, from hurting him.