Daily Tanach Wednesday Shmuel 1 Chapter 24 Part 2: Shaul makes temporary peace with Dovid

1.      Dovid confronts Shaul and peace is made between them:

• Dovid leaves the cave and confronts Shaul: After Shaul left, Dovid got up and came out of the cave and he called after Shaul saying, “My master the king.” When Shaul heard the voice, he turned around to look at who was calling him. When Dovid saw this, he immediately prostrated his face to the ground and bowed before him.
• Dovid chastises Shaul for trying to kill him, and shows Shaul that he means no harm: Dovid then said to Shaul, “Why do you listen to the words of [Lashon Hara^[1] that] people [such as Doeg^[2]] tell you that Dovid seeks to do you harm and evil? Let today be a proof for your eyes that I seek no harm to you, as today G-d had handed you over into my hands and I could’ve killed you [as is my full right under the law the one who comes to kill you, you may kill them first^[3]] but I had mercy on you [due to the fact that I saw you were very modest when you went to defecate^[4]], saying that I will not stretch my hand against my master as he is the anointed one of G-d. Now, pay attention to what I am about to show you, look carefully at what I’m holding in my hand, as it is the corner of your cloak. The fact that I simply cut off the corner of your coat and did not kill you should suffice for you to understand and see that I seek no harm or evil to you and I have not sinned against you and you are unjustifiably seeking to take my soul. Let G-d judge between me and you, and G-d will take vengeance against you, but my hand will not be involved in harming you. As the [Torah which is the] pre-mortal parable tells us that from a wicked man will come out wickedness but my hand will not strike against you [meaning that G-d will arrange for a wicked man to take your life if you continue doing harm to me even though I will have nothing to do with your death ^[5]]. After whom is the king of Israel chasing after? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog and after a small flea. May G-d be a judge between me and you and He will fight my battles and He will save me from your hands.”
• Shaul replies to Dovid with regret for his actions, acknowledgment of Dovid’s future reign, and a request for his descendants to be spared: When Dovid finished speaking the above words to Shaul, Shaul said to him, “Is this your voice my son Dovid?” Shaul then raised his voice and wept. Shaul then said to Dovid, “You are the righteous one in this battle between you and me as you have only caused me good and I have paid you back with evil. And you have now informed me today that you have done kindness with me, as G-d has handed me into your hands and you did not kill me. I don’t think it has ever occurred in history that a man found his enemy and instead of killing him he sent him off in a good way. May G-d repay you for your kindness that you have done with me on this day. Now, behold, I do know that you will indeed become the king and your monarchy will be established to reign over the Jewish people [as I see that G-d helped save you from my hands, as well as that Shmuel told me that the person who tears my garment will be king after me^[6]]. Now, please swear to me by the name of G-d that you will not annihilate my descendants after my passing, and you will not destroy my name from the house of my forefathers.”
• Dovid swears to Shaul that he will not harm his descendants and they both part ways: So, Dovid swore to Shaul that he will not harm his descendants, and Shaul returned and went back to his home while Dovid and his men went up to the Citadel.

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[1] Rashi 24:10

[2] Rashi 24:10

[3] Radak 24:11; Brachos 62b

[4] Radak 24:11; Brachos 62b

[5] Rashi 24:14

[6] Rashi 24:21