1 Samuel 24
1 It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, "Look, 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 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on 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 He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts 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 The men of David said to him, "Look, the day of which YHWH said to you, 'Look, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose, and cut off an edge of Saul's robe secretly.
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 It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off an edge 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 He said to his men, "YHWH forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, YHWH's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, since he is YHWH'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 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul got up, and went down the road.
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 Afterward David also got up and left the cave, and called out after Saul, saying, "My lord the king." When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.
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 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'Look, David seeks your harm?'
And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life?
10 Look, this day your eyes have seen how that YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave, but I refused to kill you, and my eye spared you; and I said, 'I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is YHWH'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 Now look, the skirt of your robe in my hand. When I cut off the skirt, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
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 YHWH judge between me and you, and may YHWH avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on 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 proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness;' but my hand shall not be on 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 do you pursue? After a dead dog, or one 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 YHWH therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you. May he see and plead my cause, and deliver me out of 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 It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
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 He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
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 declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that YHWH had delivered me up into your hand and 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 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may YHWH reward you good for that which you have done 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, look, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
And now, behold, I know that you shall surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
21 Swear now therefore to me by YHWH, that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of 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 David swore to Saul. Saul went 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.
