I Samuel 24 Comparison: American Standard Version vs Berean Study Bible
I Samuel 24
1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
4And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah’s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah’s anointed.
7So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah’s anointed.
11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.
12Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.
16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
18And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not.
19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
20And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
21Swear now therefore unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.
I Samuel 24
1After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
4So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
6So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
7With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
8After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence
9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
10Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
15May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
17and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
18And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
21So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”
22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Understanding American Standard Version vs Berean Study Bible in I Samuel 24
American Standard Version (ASV)
A highly literal translation known for accuracy and adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek. Consistent word choices make it excellent for careful study and cross-referencing. A strong pick for readers who want a precise, classic-modern English Bible.
Berean Study Bible (BSB)
A modern translation balancing readability with faithfulness to the original texts. Written in clear, contemporary English for both reading and study. A strong all-around choice for daily use.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of I Samuel 24 in the American Standard Version and Berean Study Bible. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: I Samuel 24:16
"And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept."
"When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud"
