1 Samuel 24:5

David’s heart. That is, his conscience accused him. The ancients used the word “heart” to describe the seat of the intellect (Proverbs 15:28; 16:9, 23; 23:7, 12; Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45). The word “conscience” does not occur in the OT. The NT word comes from the verb “to know,” and, therefore, emphasizes a faculty of the intellect rather than that of the feelings. Men say they are governed by their conscience when in reality they are often controlled by their feelings. Conscience is a safe guide only if illuminated by the light from above. Saul’s conscience was darkened, even seared with the hot iron of jealousy and envy (see 1 Timothy 4:2). David’s conscience had been under divine training, and, like Paul’s, was to a large degree void of offense (Acts 24:16). Having been given the divine unction of spiritual discernment, he had proved himself a true leader. He was not dependent on the customs and traditions of his day, but possessed a knowledge of that which was divinely and intrinsically correct.