16 When David had finished saying all this, Saul said, "Can this be the voice of my son David?" and he wept in loud sobs. 17 "You're the one in the right, not me," he continued. "You've heaped good on me; I've dumped evil on you. 18 And now you've done it again - treated me generously. God put me in your hands and you didn't kill me. 19 Why? When a man meets his enemy, does he send him down the road with a blessing? May God give you a bonus of blessings for what you've done for me today! 20 I know now beyond doubt that you will rule as king. The kingdom of Israel is already in your grasp! 21 Now promise me under God that you will not kill off my family or wipe my name off the books." 22 David promised Saul. Then Saul went home and David and his men went up to their wilderness refuge.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:16-22
Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:16-22
(Read 1 Samuel 24:16-22)
Saul speaks as quite overcome with David's kindness. Many mourn for their sins, who do not truly repent of them; weep bitterly for them, yet continue in love and in league with them. Now God made good to David that word on which he had caused him to hope, that he would bring forth his righteousness as the light, Psalm 37:6. Those who take care to keep a good conscience, may leave it to God to secure them the credit of it. Sooner or later, God will force even those who are of the synagogue of Satan to know and to own those whom he has loved. They parted in peace. Saul went home convinced, but not converted; ashamed of his envy to David, yet retaining in his breast that root of bitterness; vexed that when at last he had found David, he could not find in his heart to destroy him, as he had designed. Malice often seems dead when it is only asleep, and will revive with double force. Yet, whether the Lord bind men's hands, or affect their hearts, so that they do not hurt us, the deliverance is equally from him; it is an evidence of his love, and an earnest of our salvation, and should make us thankful.