1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 24:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a desolate area of Judea, David sought refuge in a time of great turmoil and persecution. He found shelter within a vast cave, whose entrance was wide enough to conceal those seeking safety. However, when Saul pursued David, leading his army through the wilderness, David and his companions were compelled to hide in the cave. As they took refuge inside, Saul unwittingly entered the cave’s opening to address a personal need, unaware of the soldiers concealed within, which posed a danger to him. Alone and vulnerable, Saul removed his outer clothing and set it aside. Those hiding in the shadows caught sight of him through the beam of light streaming in from the cave's entrance.

What does it mean when it states, 'Saul went into the cave to relieve himself' (1 Samuel 24:4)? The translation by the seventy is modest in tone, while Aquila's wording is more straightforward, indicating that he 'went in to celebrate.' Josephus interprets it as 'for a natural discharge.' The cave itself was quite vast, as it housed David and those who were concealed with him. Here, the divinely chosen David demonstrated remarkable wisdom. Even when those around him sought to kill Saul, he refrained from taking such an action, declaring: 'I have no portion from the Lord if I do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed' (1 Sam. 24:7). Instead, he merely severed a piece of Saul's robe to disapprove of the evil intent and to exhibit self-control.

It is clear that this reflects not the personal experiences of David, but rather serves to remember the sufferings of the Lord. Just as it is impossible to detach David from the kingdom that was given to him, it is likewise inconceivable to alter the royal designation attributed by Pontius Pilate to our Lord Jesus Christ. As we have noted before, David serves as a type of Christ the Savior; the events chronicled in David's life commemorate the Passion of Christ. The Scripture also states, "Thou shalt not destroy," referencing David when he sought refuge from Saul in a cave (Psalms 56:1). This incident bears a striking resemblance to the narratives of both David and our Lord Jesus Christ.