As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

1 SAMUEL 24:13KJV
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1 Samuel 24:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 24:13 mean?

In 1 Samuel 24:13, David tells King Saul that he will not attack him. David uses an old saying about evil actions coming from evil people to explain why he has held back, even though Saul has been pursuing him.

David had an opportunity to kill Saul in a cave but instead cut off a piece of his robe. Now, speaking to Saul, David points to his own restraint as evidence that he is not seeking to harm the king.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 24:13

  • “proverb” — מָשָׁל (mashal): This word can mean a saying that uses a comparison or expresses a general observation. David presents the saying as wisdom handed down from earlier generations.
  • “hand” — יָד (yad): The word means a hand, but it can also suggest a person’s power or action. David’s statement that his hand will not be upon Saul refers to his decision not to use force against him.

Why 1 Samuel 24:13 matters

  • David’s refusal is deliberate, not simply a lack of opportunity. The piece of Saul’s robe gives David something to show Saul as proof that he could have struck him (verse 11).
  • David leaves judgment between himself and Saul to the LORD. In verse 12, David asks the LORD to judge and deal with the wrong done to him, while saying that his own hand will not be against Saul.
  • The old saying helps explain David’s conduct without settling Saul’s response. After hearing David, Saul acknowledges that David has treated him better than he has treated David (verses 16–17).

Where else these words appear

“ancients” Hebrew H6931 · used in 10 verses

  • Job 18:20 They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
  • Ezekiel 11:1 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
  • Joel 2:20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

“Wickedness” Hebrew H7562 · used in 29 verses

  • Deuteronomy 9:27 Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:
  • Psalms 141:4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
  • Isaiah 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

“proverb” Hebrew H4912 · used in 39 verses

  • Numbers 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
  • Job 13:12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.