Bible Strands
1 Samuel 24:22
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David speaks to Saul after sparing his life in the cave, fulfilling the king’s request to swear protection for his descendants. This exchange concludes their encounter before both parties physically separate for different locations.
The words — וַיִּשָּׁבַע (wa-yiššāḇaʿ) means "and he swore an oath," establishing a binding verbal commitment. בֵּיתוֹ (bêṯô) translates literally as "his house," referring specifically to Saul’s household and lineage.
The thread — The movement to fortified locations after tense political encounters appears in 1 Samuel 23:29, where David retreats to the strongholds of En-gedi. Later texts like Matthew 10:16 and John 2:24 address how believers should navigate dangerous or deceptive environments without compromising their stance.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that sworn political truces do not erase underlying conflict or guarantee future safety. It demands practical discernment about when to honor commitments and when to withdraw to secure positions.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 23:29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En-gedi.
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
- John 2:24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all.
- Proverbs 26:24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.