1 Samuel 24:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David's men urge him to kill Saul as God's gift; instead David quietly cuts off a piece of Saul's robe.
What Does 1 Samuel 24:4 Mean?
David's men read the moment as a divine sign: surely the LORD has handed the enemy over to be dealt with as David pleases. The pressure is intense — here is the end of years of running, one stroke away. David rises, but instead of striking, he silently slices off the corner of Saul's robe.
The cut hem is both proof and restraint. David takes evidence that he could have killed the king, yet refuses to kill him. He will not let other men's words, even framed as God's will, override what he knows is right. True faith does not seize every open door as permission; it waits on God's way as well as God's timing. The Lord who delivers also tests how His servant will use the deliverance.
1 Samuel 24:4 in the Original Language
mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), 'anointed' -- the king set apart by sacred oil, a title that points ahead to the promised Anointed One.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 24:4
What does 1 Samuel 24:4 mean?
David's men urge him to kill Saul as God's gift; instead David quietly cuts off a piece of Saul's robe.