9 And David said to Saul, Why dost thou listen to words of men, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?
Thou shalt not go about as a talebearer among thy people; thou shalt not stand up against the life of thy neighbour: I am Jehovah.
And now, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If Jehovah have moved thee against me, let him accept an oblation; but if the sons of men, cursed be they before Jehovah; for they have driven me out this day from adhering to the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.
When their judges are thrown down from the rocks, they shall hear my words, for they are sweet.
A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Samuel 24
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 24
We have hitherto had Saul seeking an opportunity to destroy David, and, to his shame, he could never find it. In this chapter David had a fair opportunity to destroy Saul, and, to his honour, he did not make use of it; and his sparing Saul's life was as great an instance of God's grace in him as the preserving of his own life was of God's providence over him. Observe,
1Sa 24:1-8
Here,
1Sa 24:9-15
We have here David's warm and pathetic speech to Saul, wherein he endeavours to convince him that he did him a great deal of wrong in persecuting him thus and to persuade him therefore to be reconciled.
1Sa 24:16-22
Here we have,