| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, they told him, "Look, David is in the desert of En Gedi." | 1After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” |
| 2So Saul took three thousand select men from all Israel and went to find David and his men in the region of the rocks of the mountain goats. | 2So 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. |
| 3He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave. Saul went into it to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the recesses of the cave. | 3Soon 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. |
| 4David's men said to him, "This is the day about which the LORD said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hand, and you can do to him whatever seems appropriate to you.'" So David got up and quietly cut off an edge of Saul's robe. | 4So 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. |
| 5Afterward David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off an edge of Saul's robe. | 5Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. |
| 6He said to his men, "May the LORD keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the LORD's chosen one, by extending my hand against him. After all, he is the LORD's chosen one." | 6So 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.” |
| 7David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down the road. | 7With 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. |
| 8Afterward David got up and went out of the cave. He called out after Saul, "My lord, O king!" When Saul looked behind him, David kneeled down and bowed with his face to the ground. | 8After 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 |
| 9David said to Saul, "Why do you pay attention when men say, 'David is seeking to do you harm'? | 9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? |
| 10Today your own eyes see how the LORD delivered you--this very day--into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, 'I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's chosen one.' | 10Behold, 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.’ |
| 11Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn't kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life. | 11See, 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. |
| 12May the LORD judge between the two of us, and may the LORD vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you. | 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. |
| 13It's like the old proverb says: 'From evil people evil proceeds.' But my hand will not be against you. | 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. |
| 14Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? | 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? |
| 15May the LORD be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands!" | 15May 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.” |
| 16When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" Then Saul wept loudly. | 16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud |
| 17He said to David, "You are more innocent than I, for you have treated me well, even though I have tried to harm you! | 17and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. |
| 18You have explained today how you have treated me well. The LORD delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me. | 18And 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. |
| 19Now if a man finds his enemy, does he send him on his way in good shape? May the LORD repay you with good this day for what you have done to me. | 19When 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. |
| 20Now look, I realize that you will in fact be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. | 20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. |
| 21So now swear to me in the LORD's name that you will not kill my descendants after me or destroy my name from the house of my father." | 21So 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.” |
| 22David promised Saul this on oath. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold. | 22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. |
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