1Sam 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.
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.
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.
4
And the men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which YHWH said to you, Behold,
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 the skirt of Saul`s robe privily.
5
And it came to pass afterward, that David`s heart smote him, because he had cut off
Saul`s skirt.
6
And 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, seeing he is YHWH`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.
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.
9
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearken you to men`s words, saying, Behold, David
seeks your hurt?
10
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that YHWH had delivered you to-day into my
hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you; but [mine eye] spared you; and I said,
I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is YHWH`s anointed.
11
Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that
I cut off the skirt of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that there
is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though
you hunt after my life to take it.
12
YHWH judge between me and you, and YHWH avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be
upon you.
13
As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but
my hand shall not be upon you.
14
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead
dog, after a flea.
15
YHWH therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead
my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
16
And 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? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17
And he said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good,
whereas I have rendered to you evil.
18
And you have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, seeing that as
when YHWH had delivered me up into your hand, you killed me not.
19
For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore YHWH reward you
good for that which you have done to me this day.
20
And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that 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 seed after me, and
that you will not destroy my name out of my father`s house.
22
And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up to
the stronghold.