Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Samuel 24:1-7

"And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul`s robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul`s skirt. And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah`s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah`s anointed. So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way." — 1 Samuel 24:1-7 (ASV)

God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul any hurt.

Sin is something that ought to startle us, and we ought to resist temptations to it.

He not only would not do this bad thing himself, but he would not allow those about him to do it. Thus he rendered good for evil to him from whom he had received evil for good; and in this, he was an example to all who are called Christians, not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good.