The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

1 SAMUEL 24:15KJV
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1 Samuel 24:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 24:15 mean?

1 Samuel 24:15 shows David asking the LORD to be the judge between himself and Saul, to see what is happening, to defend David’s cause, and to rescue him from Saul’s power. David is appealing to God to decide who is right and to act as his protector, rather than taking revenge himself.

David is speaking to King Saul after sparing Saul’s life in a cave, even though Saul was hunting him. David refuses to harm Saul, instead trusting God to judge fairly between them. This verse highlights David’s reliance on God’s justice and his refusal to take matters into his own hands, even when wronged.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 24:15

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): David calls on the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing a direct appeal to God’s authority and justice.
  • judge (דָּן, dan): This word means to act as a judge or to decide a case. David is asking God to make a fair decision between him and Saul.
  • plead (רִיב, riv): This word often means to argue a case or defend in a legal sense. David is asking God to act like a legal advocate, defending his innocence.
  • deliver (שָׁפַט, shaphat): While often translated “judge,” here it carries the sense of “vindicate” or “save.” David wants God not just to judge, but to actively rescue him from Saul’s hand.

Why 1 Samuel 24:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David is not seeking personal revenge, but is trusting God to handle justice, which is a key theme in David’s life and in this story.
  • It shows David’s respect for Saul’s position as king, even when Saul is acting unjustly, and his deep faith in God’s oversight.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by highlighting the contrast between Saul’s actions and David’s restraint, setting up the ongoing tension and moral lesson in their relationship.

Where else these words appear

“judge” Hebrew H1781 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

“plead” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
  • Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“cause” Hebrew H7379 · used in 61 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.