1 Samuel 24
1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
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.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
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.
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
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.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, the LORD’S anointed, to put forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’S anointed.
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.”
7 So David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
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.
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
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
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’S anointed.
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.’
11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my soul to take it.
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.
12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
15 The LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
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.”
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.
and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
18 And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me up into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
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.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
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.
20 And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
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.”
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
