1 Samuel 24:14 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.”

1 Samuel 24:14

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. {deliver: Heb. judge}

And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, {Is} this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

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1 Samuel 24:1

"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 Engedi. {following: Heb. after}"

1 Samuel 24:2

"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."

1 Samuel 24:3

"And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where {was} a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave."

1 Samuel 24:4

"And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. {Saul's...: Heb. the robe which was Saul's}"

1 Samuel 24:5

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

1 Samuel 24:6

"And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he {is} the anointed of the LORD."

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