1 Samuel 24:19 Meaning and Explanation
“For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Saul marvels that David let his enemy go free, and asks the LORD to reward David for it.
What Does 1 Samuel 24:19 Mean?
Saul puts into words how rare David's act is: who, finding an enemy in his power, lets him walk away unharmed? It runs against every instinct of a threatened man. Astonished by such mercy, Saul pronounces a blessing — 'the LORD reward thee good' — asking God to repay the kindness David showed.
The world expects vengeance; mercy stuns it. David's refusal to harm a defenseless enemy is so uncommon that even Saul can only ask God to reward it. Such grace points beyond ordinary virtue to the heart God loves — to love one's enemy and do good without thought of return. What David did imperfectly foreshadows the One who, while we were yet enemies, did us the greatest good of all.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 24:19
What does 1 Samuel 24:19 mean?
Saul marvels that David let his enemy go free, and asks the LORD to reward David for it.