1 samuel 24:13 - As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 24:13

What does "1 samuel 24:13" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 24:13, is spoken by David to King Saul after David has had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to. Let's break down the meaning:

"As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’" This proverb is a statement about the nature of evil. It suggests that wicked people tend to produce wicked actions. It's a general principle that people tend to act in accordance with their character. If someone is inherently evil, their actions will likely be evil as well. In essence, it implies that wicked actions are predictable from wicked people.

"but my hand will not be on you." This is the key to understanding the verse in context. David is acknowledging the general principle of wickedness producing wickedness. However, he is declaring that he will not act according to that principle in this specific instance. Saul is behaving wickedly towards David, attempting to kill him. According to the proverb, one might expect David to retaliate with wickedness (killing Saul). But David is stating that he will not do that. He will not act wickedly, even though Saul is acting wickedly towards him. David is showing restraint and choosing the moral high ground. He refuses to stoop to Saul's level.

In summary, the verse means:

David recognizes that wicked people tend to produce wicked actions. However, he asserts that despite Saul's wickedness towards him, he will not retaliate in kind and harm Saul. David is demonstrating his righteousness and respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed by refusing to take his life.

The implication is powerful:

Moral Choice: David is consciously choosing a different path than what might be expected. He's demonstrating moral strength and self-control.
Rejection of Revenge: He is refusing to succumb to the temptation of revenge, even when he has the opportunity.
Respect for Authority: More importantly, David respects the fact that Saul is the king, the Lord's anointed. He acknowledges God's authority and refuses to take matters into his own hands.
Contrast to Saul: The verse highlights the contrast between David's righteousness and Saul's increasingly corrupt behavior.

The proverb is used as a backdrop to emphasize the unusual and praiseworthy restraint David displays.

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