The Meaning of 1 Samuel 24:18 Explained

1 Samuel 24:18

KJV: And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

YLT: and thou hast declared to-day how that thou hast done good with me, how that Jehovah shut me up into thy hand, and thou didst not slay me,

Darby: And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou didst not kill me.

ASV: And 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou hast shewed  this day  how that thou hast dealt  well  with me: forasmuch as when the LORD  had delivered  me into thine hand,  thou killedst  me not. 

What does 1 Samuel 24:18 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Samuel 24:16-22 - Kindness Wakens A Better Spirit
David's noble self-restraint, followed as it was by no less noble words, awoke the best side of Saul's nature. Chords began to vibrate that had long been silent. The memory of happier days, before their intercourse had become clouded by jealousy and hatred, came trooping back, and Saul was himself again. Indeed, David's appeal called forth from Saul a confession of his sin; and he went so far as to ask David to spare his house in the coming days, when David would assuredly be king. But, as the sequel proved, this better spirit was but temporary. It was a change of mood, not of will. Let us not form the habit of trusting in our emotional life. Nothing is permanent save the will that is energized by the will of God. Psalms 142:1-7 throws a light on David's state of heart at this period.
The death of a good man is a serious loss at any time, but to Israel, governed by a cruel, wayward king, Samuel's death was cause for special lamentation. His holy life, his fearless denunciation of wrong, his self-sacrifice for the people's welfare, and especially his power in intercessory prayer, made him one of the most important national assets. Let us so live that we may be missed when we go home! [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Samuel 24

1  David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life
8  He shows thereby his innocence,
16  Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs

What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 24:18 mean?

You and you have shown this day - how you have dealt with me well - for when delivered me Yahweh into your hand and not you did kill me
[ואת] (וְאַתָּה֙) הִגַּ֣דְתָּ הַיּ֔וֹם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־ עָשִׂ֥יתָה אִתִּ֖י טוֹבָ֑ה אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר סִגְּרַ֧נִי יְהוָ֛ה בְּיָדְךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א הֲרַגְתָּֽנִי

(וְאַתָּה֙)  and  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
הִגַּ֣דְתָּ  have  shown 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
הַיּ֔וֹם  this  day 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
אֵ֛ת  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲשֶׁר־  how 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
עָשִׂ֥יתָה  you  have  dealt 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
אִתִּ֖י  with  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
טוֹבָ֑ה  well 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
אֵת֩  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר  for  when 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
סִגְּרַ֧נִי  delivered  me 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: סָגוּר 
Sense: to shut, close.
יְהוָ֛ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּיָדְךָ֖  into  your  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
וְלֹ֥א  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
הֲרַגְתָּֽנִי  you  did  kill  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular, first person common singular
Root: הָרַג  
Sense: to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand.