Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
Then Saul said, 'I have sinned. Come back, my son David, because I will not try to harm you anymore. You showed today that my life was precious to you. Look, I have acted foolishly and made terrible mistakes.'
Saul admits his wrongdoing to David and acknowledges that David showed mercy by sparing his life when he had the chance to kill him.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after David secretly entered Saul's camp at night and took Saul's spear and water jug while the king slept, proving he could have killed Saul but chose not to. This was the second time David spared Saul's life despite Saul's relentless pursuit to kill him. Saul's jealousy of David had driven him to hunt the future king across the wilderness for years.
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