1 samuel 24:5 - Afterward, David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 24:5

What does "1 samuel 24:5" mean?


The verse "Afterward, David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt" (1 Samuel 24:5) means that David felt deeply remorseful and guilty for what he had done, even though it seemed like a small act. Here's a breakdown:

"Afterward, David's heart struck him": This phrase signifies that David felt a sharp pang of conscience or guilt. The phrase "heart struck him" is a figurative way of saying he felt remorse, regret, or conviction. He realized he had done something wrong.

"because he had cut off Saul's skirt": David, while hiding in a cave, had the opportunity to kill the sleeping Saul. His men urged him to do so, seeing it as God delivering Saul into his hands. However, David refused to kill the Lord's anointed. Instead, he secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe (referred to here as "skirt") as proof that he had been close enough to kill Saul but chose not to.

Why did David feel guilty?

Even though David spared Saul's life, cutting off a piece of his robe bothered him because:

Disrespect for God's Anointed: Saul was the king of Israel, chosen and anointed by God. David believed that harming or showing disrespect to the king was, in essence, showing disrespect to God. Even this seemingly minor act felt like a transgression.
Boundary Violation: It was a violation of Saul's person. David did not have the right to do this.
Potential for Misinterpretation: It could be interpreted as a rebellious act or a sign that David was plotting against Saul, even though his intentions were to prove his innocence and peaceful intentions.

In essence, the verse highlights David's deep respect for God's authority and his unwavering commitment to righteousness, even when faced with the temptation to take matters into his own hands. It emphasizes that even seemingly small acts of disrespect or disobedience can weigh heavily on a person with a strong conscience.