And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
Parallel translations
- WEB David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- BSB So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- NKJV So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- NASB And David swore an oath to Saul. Then Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- NLT So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David swears the oath, and the two part, Saul going home while David returns to the stronghold. David shows grace yet remains rightly cautious.
Overview
David grants Saul's request and gives his oath, demonstrating mercy and good faith. Yet he does not naively return with Saul; he and his men withdraw to a place of safety. The verse balances genuine kindness with prudence, recognizing that Saul's tearful words have not removed the ongoing danger. Faith and wisdom together guide David's steps.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Sam 23:29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
- Matt 10:16–17Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- John 2:24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
- Prov 26:24–25He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 24:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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