Deep Dive

I Samuel 24:3

A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →

Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.

Deep diveReferences (4)

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 3

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, I. How maliciously Saul sought David's life (Sa1 24:1, Sa1 24:2). II. How generously David saved Saul's life (when he had him at an advantage) and only cut off the skirt of his robe (Sa1 24:3-8). III. How pathetically he reasoned with Saul, upon this to bring him to a better temper towards him (Sa1 24:9-15). IV. The good impression this made upon Saul for the present (Sa1 24:16-22).

Open source ↗

Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 3

בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גְּדֵרָה (gᵉdêrâh, H1448) — enclosure (especially for flocks) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb מְעָרָה (mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — a cavern (as dark) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרֵכָה (yᵉrêkâh, H3411) — properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

Open source ↗

Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Judges 3:24rank 5

After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came in and found the doors of the upper room locked. “He must be relieving himself in the cool room,” they said.

Psalms 141:6rank 2

When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.

Your reflection

My Journey
Read
Library