1 Samuel 24
1 After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
When Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, it was reported to him, “David is in the Desert of En-gedi.”
2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
So Saul took three thousand specially-picked men from all Israel and went searching for David and his men in the area around Wild Goats' Rocks.
3 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
As Saul passed the sheep pens on the way, there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding deep inside the cave.
4 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
David's men said to him, “Today's the day the Lord promised you when he told you, ‘Listen, I'm going to hand over your enemy to you, so you can do to him whatever you want.’” Then David crept up quietly and cut a piece from the edge of Saul's robe.
5 Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
But afterwards David felt really bad because he'd cut off a piece of Saul's robe.
6 So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
He told his men, “May the Lord prevent me from doing anything like this to my master, the Lord's anointed one. I will never attack him, for he is the Lord's anointed one.”
7 With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
He reprimanded his men and didn't allow them to attack Saul. Saul stood up and went on his way.
8 After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence
A little later David came out of the cave and shouted, “My master the king!” When Saul looked around, David bowed down with his face to the ground.
9 and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
“Why do you pay attention to people who say, ‘Watch out, David wants to harm you’?” David asked.
10 Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
“Just look! You've seen with your own eyes today that the Lord handed you over to me in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I showed you compassion, and said, ‘I refuse to attack my master, for he is the Lord's anointed one.’
11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
Take a look, my father! You see this piece of your robe I'm holding. Yes, I did I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Now you can see for yourself and you can be sure that I have done nothing evil or rebellious. I have not sinned against you, but you are hunting me down, trying to kill me.
12 May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
May the Lord decide between you and me as to who of us is right, and may the Lord punish you, but I myself will never try to harm you.
13 As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
As the old saying goes, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness,’ but I myself will never try to harm you.
14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
Who is the king of Israel coming after? Who are you chasing? A dead dog! Just a flea!
15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
May the Lord decide and choose between you and me. May he pay attention to my case and support it; may he save me from you.”
16 When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
After David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that you speaking, David my son?” and he wept out loud.
17 and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
He told David, “You are a better person than I am, because you have repaid me with good, but I have repaid you with evil.
18 And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
Today you have demonstrated how well you have treated me—for when the Lord handed me over to you, you didn't kill me.
19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
For if a man caught hold of his enemy, would he let him escape unharmed? The Lord reward you well for how you've treated me today.
20 Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
Listen, I know you definitely will be king, and your rule over the kingdom of Israel will be secure.
21 So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”
Now swear to me by the Lord that you will not destroy my descendants who follow me, and that you will not wipe out my name from my family line.”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went back home, but David and his men returned to the stronghold.
