| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "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 able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild 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 sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in 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. |
| 4The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner 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 was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. | 5Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. |
| 6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD." | 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.” |
| 7With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. | 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. |
| 8Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself 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 |
| 9He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'? | 9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? |
| 10This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD's anointed.' | 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.’ |
| 11See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down 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 you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch 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. |
| 13As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you. | 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. |
| 14"Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A 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 decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand." | 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 saying this, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, David my son?" And he wept aloud. | 16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud |
| 17"You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. | 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 just now told me about the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, 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. |
| 19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today. | 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. |
| 20I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. | 20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. |
| 21Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family." | 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.” |
| 22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but 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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