< 1 Samuel 24 >

1 After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
And it came to pass when Saul returned from pursuing after the Philistines, that it was reported to him, saying, David [is] in the wilderness of Engaddi.
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.
And he took with him three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of Saddaeem.
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.
And he came to the flocks of sheep that were by the way, and there was a cave there; and Saul went in to make preparation, and David and his men were sitting in the inner part of 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.
And the men of David said to him, Behold, this [is] the day of which the Lord spoke to you, that he would deliver your enemy into your hands; and you shall do to him as [it is] good in your sight. So David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's garment secretly.
5 Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
And it came to pass after this that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the skirt of his garment.
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.”
And David said to his men, The Lord forbid it me, that I should do this ting to my lord the anointed of the Lord, to lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.
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.
So David persuaded his men by [his] words, and did not suffer them to arise and kill Saul: and Saul arose and went 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
And David rose up [and went] after him out of the cave: and David cried after Saul, saying, [My] lord, [O] king! and Saul looked behind him, and David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance to him.
9 and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life?
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.’
Behold, your eyes have seen this day how that the Lord has delivered you this day into my hands in the cave; and I would not kill you, but spared you, and said, I will not lift up my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.
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.
And behold, the skirt of your mantle [is] in my hand, I cut off the skirt, and did not kill you: know then and see today, there is no evil in my hand, nor impiety, nor rebellion; and I have not sinned against you, yet you lay snares for my soul to take it.
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.
The Lord judge between me and you, and the Lord requite you on yourself: but my hand shall not be upon you.
13 As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
As the old proverb says, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon you.
14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
And now after whom do you come forth, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, and after 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.”
The Lord be judge and umpire between me and you, the Lord look upon and judge my cause, and rescue me out of your hand.
16 When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
And it came to pass when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, [Is] this your voice, Son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
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.
And Saul said to David, You [are] more righteous that I, for you have recompensed me good, but I have recompensed you 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.
And you have told me today what good you have done me, how the Lord shut me up into your hands today, and you did not 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.
And if any one should find his enemy in distress, and should send him forth in a good way, then the Lord will reward him good, as you has done this day.
20 Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
And now, behold, I know that you shall surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
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 then swear to me by the Lord, that you will not destroy my seed after me, that you will not blot out my name from the house of my father.
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold of Messera.

< 1 Samuel 24 >