Now I know for sure
This phrase signifies a moment of revelation and certainty. In the Hebrew text, the word for "know" is "yada," which implies an intimate understanding or recognition. Saul, who speaks these words, has been pursuing David out of jealousy and fear. This acknowledgment marks a turning point, where Saul recognizes the divine will. It reflects the biblical theme that God's plans are often revealed through unexpected circumstances, and even those who oppose His will can come to recognize His sovereignty.

that you will be king
The declaration that David will be king is significant, as it confirms the divine anointing that Samuel had performed earlier in David's life (1 Samuel 16:13). The Hebrew word for "king" is "melek," which denotes not just a political leader but one who is divinely appointed to shepherd God's people. This acknowledgment by Saul, the current king, underscores the legitimacy of David's future reign and highlights the biblical principle that God raises leaders according to His purpose, often in ways that defy human expectations.

and that the kingdom of Israel
The "kingdom of Israel" refers to the united tribes under a single monarch, a concept that was still relatively new in the time of Saul and David. Historically, this period marks the transition from a loose confederation of tribes to a centralized monarchy. Theologically, it represents God's covenantal promise to establish a nation through which He would bless the world. Saul's recognition of David's future role in this kingdom underscores the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Israel.

will be established
The Hebrew root for "established" is "kun," which means to be firm, stable, or secure. This word conveys the idea of divine assurance and permanence. Saul's use of this term indicates a recognition that David's kingship is not just a temporary or human arrangement but is ordained and sustained by God. It reflects the biblical truth that what God establishes, no man can thwart, and it points to the enduring nature of God's promises.

in your hands
The phrase "in your hands" symbolizes authority and responsibility. In the ancient Near Eastern context, hands were often associated with power and action. By stating that the kingdom will be in David's hands, Saul acknowledges David's future role as the executor of God's will for Israel. This phrase also implies trust and stewardship, reminding us that leadership in God's kingdom is a sacred duty that requires faithfulness and obedience to His commands.

(20) And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king.--Clericus (in Lange) says: "From this great magnanimity of David, Saul concluded that a man who was much superior in soul to kings could not but reign." This is a good comment, and doubtless expresses something of what was in Saul's mind on this occasion; but more must have been behind to have induced the king to make such a speech to David. Never had he for one moment forgotten his old friend's words--the words of Samuel, whom he too well knew was the prophet of the Most High--when he with all solemnity announced to him, as a message from heaven, that the Lord had rent the kingdom from him, and had given it to a neighbour that was better than he (1Samuel 15:21). Since that awful denunciation, the unhappy Saul was only too sensible that the blessing of Jehovah of Hosts no longer rested on his head, no longer blessed his going out and coming in, while the strange, bright career of the son of Jesse seemed to point him out as the neighbour on whom the choice of God had fallen. Rumours, too, of a mysterious anointing must have long ere this reached Saul; this, joined to the passionate advocacy of Jonathan, and the quiet, steady friendship of Samuel, no doubt convinced King Saul that in the son of Jesse he saw Israel's future monarch. Strong, therefore, in this conviction, and for the time humiliated and grieved at the sorry part he had been playing in this restless persecution of one destined to fill so great a position, the king positively entreats the outlaw to swear to him the strange promise contained in the next (21st) verse.

Verses 20-22. - I know well that thou shalt surely be king. Jonathan had expressed a similar conviction (1 Samuel 23:17), and probably there was a growing popular belief that David was the person in whom Samuel's prophetic words (1 Samuel 15:28) were to be fulfilled. Something may even have been known of the selection of David and his anointing at Bethlehem; not perhaps by the king, but in an indistinct way by the people. As for Saul himself, he must long have felt that God's blessing had departed from him, and, brooding perpetually over Samuel's words, it required but little discernment on his part to make him see that the kingdom which he had forfeited was to be bestowed upon one so worthy of it, and so manifestly protected and blessed by God. He therefore makes David swear that he will not cut off his seed after him (see on 1 Samuel 20:15); and so they part. Saul returns to Gibeah, while David and his men gat them up unto the hold. The word gat up, mounted, suggests that the hold, or fastness, was their previous haunt at Hachilah: They would go down to En-gedi, and the difficulty of obtaining food there for 600 men would be insurmountable, except for a very short period. On the other side of the desert they were in a pastoral country, and the large flock masters there probably from time to time sent them supplies. The position of David was thus improved for the present by Saul s reconciliation with him.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Now
וְעַתָּה֙ (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

I know
יָדַ֔עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

for sure that
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

you will be king,
תִּמְל֑וֹךְ (tim·lō·wḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

and that the kingdom
מַמְלֶ֖כֶת (mam·le·ḵeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

will be established
וְקָ֙מָה֙ (wə·qā·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

in your hands.
בְּיָ֣דְךָ֔ (bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:20 Now behold I know that you shall (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)