1 Samuel 24:9
New International Version
He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?

New Living Translation
Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?

English Standard Version
And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?

Berean Standard Bible
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

King James Bible
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

New King James Version
And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’?

New American Standard Bible
And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David is seeking to harm you’?

NASB 1995
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?

NASB 1977
And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?

Legacy Standard Bible
And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to do you evil’?

Amplified Bible
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘David seeks to harm you?’

Christian Standard Bible
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of people who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of people who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you?

American Standard Version
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

Contemporary English Version
and said: Your Majesty, why do you listen to people who say that I'm trying to harm you?

English Revised Version
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David asked Saul, "Why do you listen to rumors that I am trying to harm you?

Good News Translation
and said, "Why do you listen to people who say that I am trying to harm you?

International Standard Version
Then David told Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say, 'Look, David is trying to harm you?'

Majority Standard Bible
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

NET Bible
David said to Saul, "Why do you pay attention when men say, 'David is seeking to do you harm'?

New Heart English Bible
David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'Look, David seeks your harm?'

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

World English Bible
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says to Saul, “Why do you hear the words of man, saying, Behold, David is seeking your calamity?

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith to Saul, 'Why dost thou hear the words of man, saying, Lo, David is seeking thine evil?

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to Saul, Why wilt thou hear the words of man, saying, Behold, David is seeking thy hurt?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said to Saul: Why dost thou hear the words of men that say David seeketh thy hurt?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say: ‘David seeks evil against you?’

New American Bible
and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’?

New Revised Standard Version
David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David said to Saul, You must not listen to the words of the men who say, Behold, David seeks your hurt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to Shaul: “You should not hear the words of men who say, “Behold, David seeks your harm!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said to Saul: 'Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying: Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said to Saul, Why dost thou hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks thy life?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Spares Saul
8After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence 9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? 10Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:19-21
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.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Proverbs 24:17-18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Romans 12:17-18
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.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Genesis 50:19-21
But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? / As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. / Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.


Treasury of Scripture

And David said to Saul, Why hear you men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?

1 Samuel 26:19
Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

Leviticus 19:16
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

Psalm 101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

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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.














And David said to Saul
This phrase marks a significant moment of confrontation and dialogue between David and Saul. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used to denote not just speaking, but a declaration or proclamation. David, though anointed as the future king, approaches Saul with respect and humility, highlighting his character and the divine wisdom guiding him. This encounter takes place in the wilderness of En Gedi, a region known for its rugged terrain and caves, which served as David's refuge. Historically, this setting underscores the tension between the hunted and the hunter, yet David chooses words over weapons, embodying the principle of leaving vengeance to God.

Why do you listen to the words of men
David questions Saul's reliance on the counsel of others, which in Hebrew culture often implied a lack of direct communication with God. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of obedience. David challenges Saul to discern the truth for himself rather than being swayed by rumors or false reports. This reflects a broader biblical theme of seeking God's voice above human opinion, a call to wisdom and discernment that resonates throughout Scripture.

who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
The accusation that David intends harm is a fabrication, a product of fear and jealousy. The Hebrew word for "harm" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which can mean evil or calamity. David's rhetorical question exposes the baselessness of these claims and highlights his innocence. This moment is pivotal in demonstrating David's integrity and his commitment to God's anointed king, despite Saul's pursuit. It serves as a reminder of the destructive power of false accusations and the importance of truth and righteousness. David's restraint and respect for Saul, despite being wronged, exemplify a Christ-like forbearance and trust in God's justice.

(9) Wherefore hearest thou men's words?--David had many deadly enemies at the court of Saul, who evidently laboured with success to deepen Saul's jealousy, and to widen the breach which already existed between the king and David. Doeg has been already mentioned as one of the more prominent of these slanderers; another was Cush the Benjamite, who was alluded to in the inscription which heads the seventh Psalm. The Ziphites and their representatives at the royal residence also belonged to this class of malicious foes spoken of here.

Verses 9, 10. - In his address David complained of Saul's listening to men's words, which slanderously represented him as lying in wait to kill the king (comp. 1 Samuel 22:8). In answer to their calumnies he now pleads Saul's own experience of his deeds. Some bade me kill thee. Hebrew, "he bade to kill thee." The literal rendering is, "Jehovah delivered thee today into my hand, and bade kill thee." The A.V. supplies some, or, more exactly, "one said." This is supported by the Syriac and Chaldee, but the literal rendering is probably the right one. Had David killed Saul, it would have seemed as if it were ordered by Providence so to be, and as if by putting Saul into his power God had intended his death. But what seem to us to be the leadings of Providence are not to be blindly followed. Possibly David's first thought was that God intended Saul to die, and so the Vulgate, "I thought to kill thee. But immediately a truer feeling came over his mind, and he recognised that opportunities, such as that just given him, may be temptations to be overcome. The highest principles of religion and morality do not bend to external circumstances, but override them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

“Why
לָ֧מָּה (lām·māh)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do you listen
תִשְׁמַ֛ע (ṯiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to the words
דִּבְרֵ֥י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of men
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

who say,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Look,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

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

intends
מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

to harm you’?
רָעָתֶֽךָ׃ (rā·‘ā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:9 David said to Saul Why listen you (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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