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.
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 upon 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 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.
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 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.
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 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
And it came to pass after this that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the skirt of his garment.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 David said to Saul, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
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 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, 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 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.
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 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
The Lord judge between me and you, and the Lord requite you on yourself: but my hand shall not be upon 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, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon you.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after 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 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.
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 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.
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 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 Saul said to David, You [are] more righteous that I, for you have recompensed me good, but I have recompensed you 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 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 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.
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 And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine 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 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.
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 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold of Messera.
