1 Samuel 24:22
New International Version
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

New Living Translation
So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.

English Standard Version
And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Berean Standard Bible
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

King James Bible
And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

New King James Version
So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

New American Standard Bible
And David swore an oath to Saul. Then Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

NASB 1995
David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

NASB 1977
And David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Legacy Standard Bible
So David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his home, but David and his men went up to the fortress.

Amplified Bible
David gave Saul his oath; and Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the mountain stronghold.

Christian Standard Bible
So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

American Standard Version
And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.

Contemporary English Version
So David promised, and Saul went home. David and his men returned to their hideout.

English Revised Version
And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went home, and David and his men went to their fortified camp.

Good News Translation
David promised that he would. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went back to their hiding place.

International Standard Version
David made this vow to Saul, and then Saul went home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Majority Standard Bible
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

NET Bible
David promised Saul this on oath. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

New Heart English Bible
David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men repaired to the hold.

World English Bible
David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David swears to Saul, and Saul goes to his house, and David and his men have gone up to the fortress.

Young's Literal Translation
And David sweareth to Saul, and Saul goeth unto his house, and David and his men have gone up unto the fortress.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will swear to Saul. And Saul will go to his house, and David and his men went up upon the fortress.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David swore to Saul. So Saul went home: and David and his men went up into safer places.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David swore to Saul. Therefore, Saul went away to his own house. And David and his men ascended to places that were more secure.

New American Bible
David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.

New Revised Standard Version
So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his home; but David and the men who were with him went up to Mizpeh.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David swore to Shaul, and Shaul went on to his house, and David and the men who were with him came up to Metspaya
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David swore unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men got them up unto the stronghold.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold of Messera.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Oath to Saul
21So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” 22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:19-21
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.” / On 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 25:21-22
If 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 6:27-28
But 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.

1 Peter 3:9
Do 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.

Genesis 21:23-24
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.” / And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”

Genesis 31:44-53
Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.” / So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. ...

Exodus 23:4-5
If 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.

Proverbs 24:17-18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Matthew 18:21-22
Then 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
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.


Treasury of Scripture

And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men got them up to the hold.

David and

Proverbs 26:24,25
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; …

Matthew 10:16,17
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…

John 2:24
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

the hold

1 Samuel 23:29
And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

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1 Samuel 24
1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life
8. He shows thereby his innocence,
16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs.














So David gave his oath to Saul
The phrase "David gave his oath" signifies a solemn promise or commitment. In the Hebrew context, an oath was a binding agreement, often invoking God as a witness. The Hebrew word for oath, "שְׁבוּעָה" (shevu'ah), underscores the seriousness of David's promise. This moment is pivotal, as it reflects David's integrity and respect for Saul's position as the Lord's anointed, despite Saul's pursuit to kill him. David's commitment to his oath demonstrates his faithfulness to God’s commandments and his trust in God's timing for his own ascension to kingship.

Then Saul returned home
The phrase "Saul returned home" indicates a temporary cessation of hostilities. Saul's return to his home, likely Gibeah, marks a moment of reprieve in the ongoing conflict between him and David. Historically, this reflects the transient nature of Saul's repentance and the unstable peace between the two. Saul's return home can be seen as a moment of reflection, where he acknowledges David's righteousness and spares his life, albeit temporarily. This action also highlights the ongoing tension and the tragic trajectory of Saul's reign, as he continues to struggle with jealousy and fear.

but David and his men went up to the stronghold
The phrase "David and his men went up to the stronghold" indicates a strategic move for safety and security. The "stronghold" likely refers to a fortified place in the wilderness, such as the stronghold of En Gedi or the caves of Adullam. In the Hebrew context, a stronghold, "מְצוּדָה" (metzudah), was a place of refuge and defense. This action reflects David's prudence and leadership, ensuring the safety of his men while continuing to trust in God's protection and provision. It also symbolizes the ongoing struggle and preparation for the future that David faces, as he awaits God's promise of kingship to be fulfilled. David's choice to retreat to the stronghold rather than confront Saul further demonstrates his reliance on God's justice rather than taking matters into his own hands.

(22) And David sware unto Saul.--The generous son of Jesse at once complied with Saul's curious request, and for a time, at least, the persecution and pursuit of David ceased. Stricken with remorse, the gloomy king left him to himself; no word, however, seems to have passed as to restoring the exile to his home or rank. Bishop Wordsworth quotes here a characteristic passage from one of Chrysostom's eloquent homilies, in which the Patristic method of allegorising all these famous scenes of Old Testament history is well exemplified.

"Meditate on the example of David, and do thou imitate it: imitate it in his self-control and in his love of his enemy. The cave in which he was became like a Christian Church, and he became like a Christian bishop, who first preaches a sermon and then offers the sacrifice of the altar.

"So David preached a sermon by his example, and offered a true sacrifice--the spiritual sacrifice of himself and of his own anger; he became as it were a priest, a sacrifice, and an altar, and having offered his victims, he gained a glorious victory."--St. Chrysostom, tom. 4, p. 761.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

gave his oath
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֥ע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to Saul.
לְשָׁא֑וּל (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

Then Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

returned
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

home,
בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

but David
וְדָוִד֙ (wə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and his men
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו (wa·’ă·nā·šāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

went up
עָל֖וּ (‘ā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the stronghold.
הַמְּצוּדָֽה׃ (ham·mə·ṣū·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4686: A net, capture, a fastness


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:22 David swore to Saul (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 24:21
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