New International VersionWhen a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.
New Living TranslationWho else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.
English Standard VersionFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
Berean Standard BibleWhen a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
King James BibleFor if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
New King James VersionFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
New American Standard BibleThough if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
NASB 1995“For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
NASB 1977“For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May the LORD therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
Legacy Standard BibleFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May Yahweh therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
Amplified BibleFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? So may the LORD reward you with good in return for what you have done for me this day.
Christian Standard BibleWhen a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD repay you with good for what you’ve done for me today.
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD repay you with good for what you’ve done for me today.
American Standard VersionFor if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
Contemporary English VersionIf you really were my enemy, you wouldn't have let me leave here alive. I pray that the LORD will give you a big reward for what you did today.
English Revised VersionFor if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen a person finds an enemy, does he send him away unharmed? The LORD will repay you completely for what you did for me today.
Good News TranslationHow often does someone catch an enemy and then let him get away unharmed? The LORD bless you for what you have done to me today!
International Standard VersionFor who would find his enemy and then send him away safely? May the LORD repay you for what you have done for me today.
NET BibleNow if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the LORD repay you with good this day for what you have done to me.
New Heart English BibleFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the LORD reward you good for that which you have done this day.
Webster's Bible TranslationFor if a man findeth his enemy, will he let him go away well? wherefore the LORD reward thee with good, for what thou hast done to me this day. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
World English BibleFor if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me today. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand that a man finds his enemy, and has sent him away in a good manner; and YHWH repays you good for that which you did to me this day.
Young's Literal Translation and that a man doth find his enemy, and hath sent him away in a good manner; and Jehovah doth repay thee good for that which thou didst to me this day.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd if a man shall find his enemy and send him in the way well? and Jehovah will recompense thee well for this day what thou didst to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor who when he hath found his enemy, will let him go well away? But the Lord reward thee for this good turn, for what thou hast done to me this day.
Catholic Public Domain Version For who, when he will have found his enemy, will release him along a good path? So may the Lord repay you for this good turn, because you have acted on my behalf this day.
New American Bible
For if someone comes upon an enemy, do they send them graciously on their way? So may the LORD reward you graciously for what you have done this day.
New Revised Standard Version
For who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
For when a man finds his enemy, and lets him go free, the LORD will reward him with good; wherefore the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man finds his enemy and he sends him away on a good road, LORD JEHOVAH will reward him with good! LORD JEHOVAH will reward you in exchange for the good that you have done for me today!OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one should find his enemy in distress, and should send him forth in a good way, then the Lord will reward him good, as thou has done this day.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context David's Oath to Saul… 18And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. 19Whena manfindshis enemy,does he let him goawayunharmed?May the LORDreward youwith goodforwhatyou have donefor methisday.20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.…
Cross References Matthew 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Romans 12:20-21On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Proverbs 25:21-22If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Luke 6:27-28But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Genesis 50:17-21‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...
1 Peter 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Romans 12:17-19Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Luke 23:34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Ephesians 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Genesis 33:4Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.
Colossians 3:13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Proverbs 24:17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
1 Thessalonians 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
Exodus 23:4-5If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.
Treasury of Scripture For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? why the LORD reward you good for that you have done to me this day. the Lord 1 Samuel 23:21 And Saul said, Blessedbe ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. 1 Samuel 26:25 Then Saul said to David, Blessedbe thou, my son David: thou shalt both do greatthings, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place. Judges 17:2 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundredshekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silveris with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessedbe thou of the LORD, my son. Jump to Previous EnemyHaterMannerRepayRewardRewardedSafeSafelyTodayTreatedUnharmedWayWhereforeJump to Next EnemyHaterMannerRepayRewardRewardedSafeSafelyTodayTreatedUnharmedWayWherefore1 Samuel 24 1.David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life8.He shows thereby his innocence,16.Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed?This phrase reflects the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, where enmity often resulted in violence or retribution. In the context of 1 Samuel 24, David has the opportunity to kill King Saul, who is pursuing him unjustly. The rhetorical question highlights the rarity and unexpected nature of David's mercy. This act of sparing an enemy is countercultural and demonstrates a higher moral standard, aligning with later teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, such as loving one's enemies ( Matthew 5:44). David's restraint can be seen as a type of Christ, who also showed mercy to those who opposed Him. May the LORD reward you with good
This part of the verse underscores the belief in divine justice and reward. In the biblical narrative, David's actions are not just seen as morally right but are expected to be rewarded by God. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience and righteousness are met with divine favor. The idea of God rewarding good deeds is echoed throughout Scripture, such as inProverbs 11:18 andHebrews 11:6, reinforcing the principle that God honors those who act according to His will. for what you have done for me this day.
Here, the focus is on the specific act of mercy David showed to Saul. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, as it demonstrates David's integrity and his respect for God's anointed king, despite Saul's unjust pursuit. It also serves as a testament to David's character, setting a precedent for his future reign as king. This act of mercy is a foreshadowing of the grace that Christ would later extend to humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. The phrase also emphasizes the importance of individual actions and their impact on relationships and divine favor. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidAnointed future king of Israel, known for his heart after God. In this chapter, he spares King Saul's life, demonstrating mercy and restraint. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, who is pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. Saul acknowledges David's righteousness in this verse. 3. The Wilderness of En GediA rugged, desert area where David and his men hide from Saul. It is here that David encounters Saul in a cave. 4. The CaveA significant location where David has the opportunity to kill Saul but chooses to spare him, illustrating his respect for God's anointed king. 5. The LORDCentral to the account, as David's actions are motivated by his reverence for God and trust in His justice. Teaching Points Mercy Over RevengeDavid's choice to spare Saul exemplifies the power of mercy over revenge. As believers, we are called to show mercy, trusting God to handle justice. Respect for AuthorityDavid respects Saul as the Lord's anointed, teaching us to honor those in authority, even when they are flawed. Trust in God's JusticeDavid's restraint is rooted in his trust that God will reward righteousness and deal with wrongdoing. We should have faith in God's perfect justice. The Power of a Good ExampleDavid's actions lead Saul to acknowledge his own wrongdoing. Our actions can influence others towards repentance and reconciliation. Divine Reward for RighteousnessDavid's hope for God's reward encourages us to pursue righteousness, knowing that God sees and rewards our faithfulness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 24:19?
2.How does 1 Samuel 24:19 demonstrate the principle of returning good for evil?
3.What does David's restraint in 1 Samuel 24:19 teach about godly leadership?
4.How can we apply David's example of mercy in our daily conflicts?
5.What New Testament teachings align with David's actions in 1 Samuel 24:19?
6.How does 1 Samuel 24:19 encourage us to trust God's justice over personal revenge?
7.Why did David spare Saul's life in 1 Samuel 24:19 despite being pursued by him?
8.How does 1 Samuel 24:19 illustrate the concept of mercy in the Bible?
9.What does 1 Samuel 24:19 teach about forgiveness towards one's enemies?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 24?
11.What does 'Heartily as Unto the Lord' mean?
12.What does the Bible say about revenge and vengeance?
13.How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12)
14.Psalm 35:13-14 - How can David both mourn for his foes and call down curses on them without contradiction?What Does 1 Samuel 24:19 Mean When a man finds his enemyDavid literally “found” Saul when the king stepped into the very cave where David and his men were hiding (1 Samuel 24:3–4). Scripture records the scene exactly as it happened. • The shepherd‐king in waiting suddenly held his enemy’s life in his hand. • In ordinary human terms, this was the perfect moment for revenge, yet David’s heart was restrained. • God’s Word consistently teaches surprising kindness toward enemies: “If you come across your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him” (Exodus 23:4); “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44); “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat” (Proverbs 25:21;Romans 12:20 echoes the same). These parallels show that David’s decision fits an unchanging biblical pattern of mercy that flows from obedience to the Lord.
does he let him go away unharmed?Saul’s rhetorical question highlights how unusual David’s mercy was. By every natural instinct, an enemy found at such disadvantage would be struck down. • David refused because Saul was “the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:6). • He trusted God to judge: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35;Romans 12:19). • He chose blessing over retaliation: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” (1 Peter 3:9). Because Scripture is historically accurate, this real‐time restraint teaches that believers can rely on God’s justice rather than their own.
May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this daySaul, momentarily clear-sighted, pronounces a blessing that reflects a core biblical truth: God rewards righteousness. • “The LORD repays every man for his righteousness and faithfulness” (1 Samuel 26:23). • Ruth received a similar reassurance: “May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD” (Ruth 2:12). • “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown” (Hebrews 6:10). For David, that reward unfolded in: – Preservation from Saul’s spear and armies. – A throne established by covenant (2 Samuel 7:16). – A legacy reaching its fulfillment in the Messiah, the Son of David (Luke 1:32–33).
summary1 Samuel 24:19 underscores literal, historical mercy that mirrors God’s heart. Finding an enemy normally ends in bloodshed, yet David’s restraint models divine kindness, trusting God to judge and reward. Saul’s blessing, though spoken by a flawed king, affirms that the Lord sees sacrificial goodness and repays it with lasting good. Verse 19. - Will he let him go well away? Hebrew, "will he let him go on a good way?" i.e. will he let him go on his way in peace, unhurt? As David, nevertheless, had let his enemy go unharmed, Saul, touched momentarily by his generosity, prays that Jehovah will reward him for what he had done.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Whenוְכִֽי־(wə·ḵî-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiona manאִישׁ֙(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personfindsיִמְצָ֥א(yim·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be presenthis enemy,אֹ֣יְב֔וֹ(’ō·yə·ḇōw)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 341:Hating, an adversarydoes he let him goוְשִׁלְּח֖וֹ(wə·šil·lə·ḥōw)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outawayבְּדֶ֣רֶךְ(bə·ḏe·reḵ)Preposition-b | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of actionunharmed?טוֹבָ֑ה(ṭō·w·ḇāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodMay the LORDוַֽיהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelreward youיְשַׁלֶּמְךָ֣(yə·šal·lem·ḵā)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7999:To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocatewith goodטוֹבָ֔ה(ṭō·w·ḇāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodforתַּ֚חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofwhatאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatyou have doneעָשִׂ֖יתָה(‘ā·śî·ṯāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makefor meלִֽי׃(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewthisהַזֶּ֔ה(haz·zeh)Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088:This, thatday.הַיּ֣וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A day
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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:19 For if a man finds his enemy (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
