Definition: And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 24:17. It's a pretty powerful and significant statement about God’s judgment! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, it means God is impressed by David’s good deeds and rewards him for them. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And he said…”: This sets up a conversation. “…Thou [art] more righteous than I…”: This is the core of the verse. “Thou” is a formal way of addressing David, and "righteous" means morally good and just. God says that David is more righteous than him – meaning he’s doing things in a better way, with greater kindness and fairness. “…for thou hast rewarded me good…”: This part highlights David's positive actions. He did something kind, helpful, or right. He acted morally. “whereas I have rewarded thee evil.”: This is the crucial part. God recognized that he had given David evil – which means he’d done something wrong, hurtful, or unfair. So, what's the overall message? This verse highlights God’s judgment and his concern for justice. It tells us: God sees good and bad. He doesn’t just look at everything; He pays attention to how things are done. God is fair. He wants to make sure that people are rewarded for good deeds and punished for wrongdoing. It's a consequence of our actions. David’s “evil” – his choices, perhaps or his behavior – has resulted in God’s judgment. Important Note: This verse doesn’t mean David deserved to be punished. It simply acknowledges that he was rewarded with good things while he did something wrong. It's a reminder of the importance of doing what is right and being accountable for our actions. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail, or would you like me to give you an example of a "good deed" that might have led to this verse? For instance, we could talk about: David’s bravery and protection of his people. How this verse relates to the idea of repentance and seeking forgiveness.