Kings I 24
1 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.
When Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, it was reported to him, “David is in the Desert of En-gedi.”
2 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 And it came to pass after this that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the skirt of his garment.
But afterwards David felt really bad because he'd cut off a piece of Saul's robe.
6 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.
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 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.
He reprimanded his men and didn't allow them to attack Saul. Saul stood up and went on his way.
8 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.
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 David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life?
“Why do you pay attention to people who say, ‘Watch out, David wants to harm you’?” David asked.
10 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.
“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 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.
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 The Lord judge between me and you, and the Lord requite you on yourself: but my hand shall not be upon 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, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon you.
As the old saying goes, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness,’ but I myself will never try to harm you.
14 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?
Who is the king of Israel coming after? Who are you chasing? A dead dog! Just a flea!
15 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.
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 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.
After David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that you speaking, David my son?” and he wept out loud.
17 And Saul said to David, You [are] more righteous that I, for you have recompensed me good, but I have recompensed you 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 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.
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 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.
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 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
Listen, I know you definitely will be king, and your rule over the kingdom of Israel will be secure.
21 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.
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 swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold of Messera.
So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went back home, but David and his men returned to the stronghold.
