1 Samuel 24:5
New International Version
Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.

New Living Translation
But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe.

English Standard Version
And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

Berean Standard Bible
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

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

New King James Version
Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.

New American Standard Bible
But it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

NASB 1995
It came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

NASB 1977
And it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it happened afterward that David’s heart struck him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

Amplified Bible
Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the hem of Saul’s robe.

Christian Standard Bible
Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Afterward, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

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

Contemporary English Version
Afterwards, David was sorry that he had even done that,

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But afterward, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the border of Saul's robe.

Good News Translation
But then David's conscience began to hurt,

International Standard Version
Afterwards, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

Majority Standard Bible
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

NET Bible
Afterward David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul's robe.

New Heart English Bible
It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off an edge of Saul's robe.

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

World English Bible
Afterward, David’s heart struck him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass afterward that the heart of David strikes him, because that he has cut off the skirt which [is] on Saul,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass afterwards that the heart of David smiteth him, because that he hath cut off the skirt which is on Saul,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be after this, the heart of David will strike him because that he cut off the wing which is to Saul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
After which David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After this, his own heart struck David, because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s cloak.

New American Bible
Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s robe.

New Revised Standard Version
Afterward David was stricken to the heart because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s cloak.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But afterward David regretted that he had cut off the skirt of Saul's robe.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And after this, his heart saddened David, because he cut off the skirt of the robe of Shaul
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass after this that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off the skirt of his garment.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Spares Saul
4So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 6So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 26:9-11
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

2 Samuel 24:10
After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 51:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...

Genesis 39:9
No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Genesis 42:21
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

1 Kings 21:27-29
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.”

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Luke 15:18-21
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ / So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ...

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

David's heart

2 Samuel 12:9
Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

2 Samuel 24:10
And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

2 Kings 22:19
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

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Afterward Afterwards Bothered Conscience Corner Cut Cutting David David's Edge Heart Regret Robe Saul Saul's Skirt Smiteth Smote Struck
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Afterward Afterwards Bothered Conscience Corner Cut Cutting David David's Edge Heart Regret Robe Saul Saul's Skirt Smiteth Smote Struck
1 Samuel 24
1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life
8. He shows thereby his innocence,
16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.














Afterward
This word indicates a sequence of events, suggesting a reflective moment following an action. In the Hebrew context, the narrative often emphasizes the importance of reflection and the consequences of one's actions. Here, it sets the stage for David's introspection, highlighting the moral and spiritual weight of his decisions.

David’s conscience
The Hebrew word for "conscience" is often associated with the heart or inner being, reflecting a deep moral and spiritual awareness. David, a man after God's own heart, is portrayed as sensitive to the Holy Spirit's conviction. This sensitivity is crucial for a leader chosen by God, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a pure heart and a clear conscience before the Lord.

was stricken
The phrase suggests a sudden and intense feeling of guilt or remorse. In the Hebrew tradition, this indicates a divine conviction, where God communicates His displeasure or guidance through the inner turmoil of the individual. David's immediate response to his conscience being stricken shows his commitment to righteousness and his desire to align his actions with God's will.

because he had cut off
This action, though seemingly minor, carries significant symbolic weight. Cutting off a piece of Saul's robe was an act of disrespect towards the anointed king. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, garments often symbolized authority and identity. David's realization of the gravity of his action underscores the importance of respecting God's anointed and the authority He establishes.

a corner of Saul’s robe
The robe represents Saul's royal authority and God's anointing upon him as king. By cutting off a corner, David symbolically undermined Saul's kingship, even if unintentionally. This act serves as a reminder of the sacredness of God's anointing and the respect due to those He appoints, regardless of their personal failings.

(5) David's heart smote him.--Not for what he had done to Saul, but his conscience smote him for the momentary thought that had stained his soul of slaying the Lord's Anointed. This is better than with Clericus to say, "David was afraid that Saul would take this, though a clear sign of his [David's] magnanimity, in bad part, and regard it as a violation of his royal majesty." There is no sign at all of David's even regretting he had cut off the fringe of the king's garment. It was the far more terrible thought of slaying the God-anointed king which troubled David. The words of the next verse show us clearly what was passing in his mind when he gravely rebuked his men, and evidently restrained them, with some little trouble, from rushing upon Saul, even after he had left the sleeping form, with the piece of the mantle in his hand. The Hebrew word rendered "stayed" is a forcible one, and, literally, would be crushed down. There is a curious Note, however, in the Babylonian Talmud on this passage in the Book of Samuel which tells how David cut off a piece of Saul's robe, in which the act is evidently very strongly condemned. Rabbi Yosi ben Rabbi chanina on the words, "Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily," said, "Whoever treats clothes slightingly will at last derive no benefit from them, for it is said (1Kings 1:1), 'And they covered him [David] with clothes, but he gat no heat.'"--Treatise Berachoth, fol. 62, Colossians 2.

This is evidently one of the "cryptographs," of which there are such innumerable instances in the Talmud. The lesson intended to be taught by the famous Rabbi was probably intense reverence for the teachers and guides of Israel, here represented by Saul; any act of disrespect shown to one of these, even by injuring the clothes they wore, would be punished by God sooner or later.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Afterward,
אַֽחֲרֵי־ (’a·ḥă·rê-)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

David’s
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

conscience
לֵב־ (lêḇ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

was stricken
וַיַּ֥ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

because
עַ֚ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

he had cut off
כָּרַ֔ת (kā·raṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the corner
כָּנָ֖ף (kā·nāp̄)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

of Saul’s robe.
לְשָׁאֽוּל׃ (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:5 It happened afterward that David's heart struck (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 24:4
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