I Shmuel 24: David the Tailor

YINR 929: Tanach Yomi · Aug 23, 2026 · 3m

Faced with his pursuer, David has a very tough choice to make in chapter 24. Shaul is lying in the cave fast asleep. David enters the cave with sword in hand and has the chance to kill Shaul. It is unclear what Shaul would have done in this same situation, but based on his actions to date, he would not have hesitated to kill David. David decides against ending his troubles, and instead cuts off a corner of Shaul’s cloak (וַיָּקָם דָּוִד וַיִּכְרֹת אֶת־כְּנַף הַמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל בַּלָּט) (I Samuel 24:5). He runs outside the cave and from a safe distance he lifts up the cut corner and…