Question 1

Why did Saul weep when he heard David’s voice in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Saul wept because David’s words and actions exposed how wrong he had been. He had chased David to kill him, yet David spared his life when he could have ended it. Hearing David call out respectfully and seeing proof that his life had been in David’s hand cut through his pride. His tears show he was deeply moved and ashamed at that moment. Still, the passage hints this sorrow did not grow into lasting change, because later Saul would again go after David.

Question 2

What does Saul mean by saying, "Thou art more righteous than I"?

Accepted Answer

When Saul says, “Thou art more righteous than I,” he is admitting that David has behaved better than he has. David has paid Saul back with good, while Saul has paid David back with evil. David fought Saul’s battles, comforted him, and now has spared his life. Saul, in return, has hunted David and tried to kill him. Saul does not fully confess his own wickedness, but he cannot deny that David’s conduct is upright and his own behavior has been wrong.

Question 3

Why does Saul say he knows David will surely be king?

Accepted Answer

Saul says he knows David will surely be king because he sees how God protects and prospers David. David has shown a noble, kingly spirit by sparing his enemy, and Saul remembers earlier words that the kingdom would pass to someone better than himself. The way God put Saul into David’s hand, yet kept David from killing him, shows that the Lord is with David. For a moment Saul is honest about what he has long known in his heart: God intends David to rule Israel.

Question 4

Why does Saul ask David to swear not to cut off his seed?

Accepted Answer

Saul knows that when a new king takes the throne, it is common in many kingdoms to kill the former king’s family so there are no rival claims. Fearing for his descendants, he asks David to swear before the Lord that he will not wipe out his children or erase his family name. Saul is very concerned that his line and name should continue. He believes that if David gives his word before God, David will keep it, because David fears the Lord and cares about doing what is right.

Question 5

How did David keep his oath not to destroy Saul’s family?

Accepted Answer

The passage itself simply says, “And David sware unto Saul,” and later history shows David stayed true to that promise. When David finally became king, he did not wipe out Saul’s line. Instead, he showed kindness to Saul’s grandson and punished those who murdered Saul’s son. Even when some of Saul’s descendants were later handed over for judgment, this was described as God’s doing, not David breaking his oath. David trusted God to secure his throne without bloodshed against Saul’s house.

Question 6

Why did David and his men go back to the hold instead of home?

Accepted Answer

David did not fully trust Saul’s change of heart. Saul went home for the moment, but David knew Saul’s pattern of jealousy, rage, and broken promises. To walk back into normal life as if everything were safe would have been foolish. So David and his men returned to the stronghold, a safe place in the wilderness. This shows that we can forgive and show mercy, as David did, yet still be wise about someone who has harmed us and not put ourselves carelessly in their power again.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about loving your enemies?

Accepted Answer

This story shows what it looks like in real life to love an enemy. David had a chance to kill Saul, the man hunting him, yet he refused to harm him. Saul himself admits that no one usually treats an enemy like that. David left judgment to God and chose kindness. Because of this, his righteousness became clear even to Saul. The passage encourages readers to repay evil with good, to trust God to deal with wrongs, and to act in a way that keeps a clean conscience, even toward those who hate us.

Question 8

Why did God let Saul be delivered into David’s hand and yet kept Saul alive?

Accepted Answer

God allowed Saul to fall into David’s hand to reveal several things at once. It showed that God can easily give David the upper hand and protect him from harm. It tested David’s heart, showing he would not seize the throne by murder but would wait for God’s timing. It also left Saul without excuse, because he clearly saw that David had no desire to harm him. By restraining David from killing Saul, God both guarded David from sin and made David’s righteousness shine in front of his enemy.

1 Samuel 24:16

¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

David’s Oath to Saul

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1 Samuel 24:16

¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

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David’s Oath to Saul

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