Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 24:13

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked : but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

i. e. Wicked men will do wicked actions, among which this is one, to kill their Sovereign Lord and King; as David implied above, v. 6. and more fully expresseth, chap. 26. 9. And therefore if I were so wicked and vile a Person as thy Courtiers represent me to thee, I should make no conscience of laying wicked and violent hands upon thee, but should assassinate thee when I had opportunity. Which because I have now neglected and refused to do, though moved to it by some of my wicked Soldiers; know therefore that I am not guilty of any wicked designs against thee, but am just and innocent towards thee. Or thus: wicked actions (such as they would have been if I had killed thee) proceed onely from the wicked, of which number I am none, and therefore my hand shall not be upon thee.