Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.
Look, today you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I showed you mercy. I said, 'I will not raise my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's chosen one.'
David is telling King Saul that he had the perfect opportunity to kill him in the cave but chose to spare his life because Saul was God's chosen king.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs when David was hiding from King Saul, who was trying to kill him out of jealousy. David and his men were hiding in a cave when Saul entered alone to relieve himself, giving David the perfect opportunity to kill his pursuer. Instead, David only cut off a piece of Saul's robe as proof that he could have killed him but chose mercy instead.
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