1 Samuel 24

And it happened, when Saul returned from after the Philistines, that they declared to him, saying, “Behold, David {is} in the wilderness of En Gedi.”

And Saul took 3,000 men, chosen from all of Israel. And he went to seek David and his men on the face of the cliffs of the wild goats.

And he came to some pens of sheep on the way, and a cave {was} there. And Saul entered to cover his feet. Now David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave. \*

And the men of David said to him, “Behold, today {is} what God said to you, ‘Behold, I am giving your enemy into your hand, and you will do to him just as is good in your eyes.’” And David arose and cut off the edge of the robe that {was} to Saul, in secrecy.

And it happened after this that the heart of David struck him because he had cut off the edge that {was} to Saul.

And he said to his men, “Profane to me from God if I have done this thing to my master, to the anointed one of God, to stretch out my hand against him. For he {is} the anointed one of God.”

And David dispersed his men with words and did not allow them to arise against Saul. And Saul arose from the cave and went in the way. \*

And David arose after this and came out from the cave. And he called out after Saul, saying, “My master the king!” And Saul looked behind him, and David bowed, nostrils to the ground, and prostrated himself.

And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of a man, saying, ‘Behold, David is seeking your harm’? \*

Behold, your eyes have seen this day that God gave you into my hand today in the cave. And one said to slay you, but it had compassion on you. And I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my master, for he {is} the anointed one of God.’

And see, my father, even see the edge of your robe in my hand! For when I cut off the edge of your robe, I did not kill you. Know and see that no evil or transgression {is} in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, but you are hunting my life, to take it. \*

May God judge between you and between me, and may God avenge me against you, but my hand will not be against you.

As the proverb of the ancient says, ‘From the wicked comes out wickedness.’ But my hand will not be against you. \*

After whom does the king of Israel come out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog! After one flea!

And may God be the judge, and may he judge between me and between you. And may he see and conduct my case, and may he judge me out of your hand.” \*

And it happened, as David finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “{Is} this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.

And he said to David, “You {are} more righteous than I. For you did good to me, but I did evil to you.

For you have declared today that you have done good with me, that God enclosed me in your hand, but you did not kill me. \*

Now if a man finds his enemy, will he send him on a good way? So may God repay you {with} good for what you have done for me this day.

And now, behold, I know that reigning, you will reign, and the kingdom of Israel will stand in your hand. \*

And now, swear to me by God, if you shall cut off my seed after me, and if you shall destroy my name from the house of my father!”

And David swore to Saul. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up onto the stronghold. \*