1 Samuel 24:20 Meaning: Knowing God's Will and Resisting It
Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
`And, now, lo, I have known that thou dost certainly reign, and the kingdom of Israel hath stood in thy hand;
And now behold, I know that thou shalt certainly be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
Meaning in one sentence
Saul confesses he knows David will be king. Why does he still resist? A devotional on 1 Samuel 24:20 about knowledge versus surrender.
Context
The scene is a cave near Engedi, hidden in the rocky wilderness west of the Dead Sea. King Saul has been hunting David with three thousand men, intent on killing him. David has just spared Saul’s life, cut off a corner of his robe instead of his head, and then called out to prove he meant no harm. Saul, stunned, weeps and cries out, “You are more righteous than I.” In verse 20 he confesses something he has known for years: David will be king, and his kingdom will be established. The moment is raw and honest. Yet before long, Saul will be back on the hunt. This verse catches a king trapped between what he knows and what he wants.
Key Words
The Hebrew behind “I know well” carries intensity: it is a double form of the verb “to know,” something like “I know, I know.” This is not a guess. Saul has seen David’s character, heard Samuel’s prophecy of a neighbor taking the kingdom (1 Samuel 13:14), and now watched David spare his life. The knowledge is complete. The phrase “surely be king” also doubles the verb “to reign”, a Hebrew idiom that makes the promise certain. And “established in your hand” pictures a kingdom that will last, not be torn away. Every word confirms what Saul refuses to live by.
How Christians Read This Verse
Many Christians see this moment as genuine but temporary. Matthew Henry describes Saul’s heart melting into tears. Keil and Delitzsch note that David’s mercy conquered the evil spirit for a moment. Other traditions emphasize the tragedy: the Cambridge Bible observes that Saul, knowing God’s will, still resists it. Wesleyan commentator Adam Clarke points out that Saul “knew this before; and yet he continued to pursue him with the most deadly hatred.” Across traditions, readers agree: Saul’s knowledge was real, but it did not lead to lasting change. The verse stands as a warning that knowing the truth is not the same as submitting to it.
A common misunderstanding
Some think Saul’s confession means he finally accepted God’s plan and stopped chasing David. In fact, the very next chapter shows Saul renewing the pursuit with fresh armies (1 Samuel 26:2). Saul’s words here are sincere in the moment, but they do not reshape his life. The verse captures a man who knows what is right yet refuses to align his actions with that knowledge.
Living This Out
We all have our own “Saul moments”, things we know about God’s will that we resist. Maybe you know you should forgive someone. Or trust God with a future you cannot control. Or let go of a grudge you have every right to keep. This verse asks you not just to know the right thing, but to hand over the kingdom of your life to the King God has chosen. It is hard. But the cave at Engedi reminds us that mercy is stronger than our stubbornness. You can start today with one small surrender.
Main takeaway: Knowing God’s will is not the same as doing it; what matters is whether we let His truth change our lives.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Saul knew David would be the next king, but he still tried to hurt him. Sometimes we know what is right, but we don’t do it. God wants us to obey even when it is hard.
For ages 9, 12
Saul had all the facts: he knew God had chosen David, he saw David spare his life, and he even said so out loud. But knowing was not enough, he kept doing wrong. This story is a warning to us: when you know God’s will, don’t just agree with it. Live it out.
Questions People Ask
Why did Saul say David would be king if he still hated him?
Saul had a moment of clarity when David spared his life. His conscience was stirred, and he spoke what he truly believed. But the grief and jealousy in his heart were stronger than his better feelings. He knew the truth, but he did not let it change his actions.
Did Saul really believe David would be king?
Yes. The commentary by Gill notes that Saul knew by multiple signs: Samuel’s prophecy, David’s princely spirit, and the providence of God protecting David. Even his own son Jonathan had said David would be king (1 Samuel 23:17). Saul’s knowledge was certain, but his will was stubborn.
What does 'the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand' mean?
It means David’s reign would be permanent, unlike Saul’s, which was doomed. The phrase echoes Samuel’s prophecy in 1 Samuel 13:14 that Saul’s kingdom would not continue. Saul himself admits that David’s kingdom will last.
How does this verse connect to the rest of the Bible?
It shows the tragic pattern of knowing God’s will yet resisting it, a theme that runs from the garden of Eden to the Pharisees in the Gospels. It also foreshadows Christ, the true King from David’s line, whose kingdom is established forever.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study