1 Samuel 24 serves to affirm that David did not seize the kingship that was promised to him, but waited for the LORD to judge between him and Saul.1 The chapter itself is divided into three sections: 1-7, 8-15 and 16-22.
Though there are clear connections between 1 Samuel 23 and 1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 24-26 nevertheless form a discrete literary unit within the book as a whole.2 Throughout these three chapters, David is kept from murder, the unlawful shedding of blood.[3] By leaving vengeance in the LORD’s hand, David is portrayed as someone who is imminently qualified to replace Saul as king.3
1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”