1 Samuel 24:1-18 ▼

1 And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from after the Philistines, that it was declared to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the Wilderness of En-gedi.”

2 And Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men on the face of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

3 And he came to the folds of the flock by the road, and there was a cave. And Saul went in to cover his feet. And David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.

4 And the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which YHWH said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as is good in your eyes.’” And David arose and cut off a corner of the robe that was on Saul—in secrecy.

5 And it came to pass after thus, that the heart of David troubled him, upon that he had cut off the skirt that was on Saul.

6 And he said to his men, “Far be it from me, YHWH, that I should do this thing to my master—to the anointed of YHWH—to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the anointed of YHWH.”

7 And David restrained his servants with words, and he did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

8 And David arose after thus, and he went out of the cave, and he called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And Saul looked behind him, and David bowed nostrils to the earth, and bowed down.

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

10 behold, this day your eyes have seen that YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. And one said to kill you, and I had pity on you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord; for he is the anointed of YHWH.’

11 And my father, see, yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For by cutting off the skirt of your robe and not killing you, know and see that evil and rebellion are not in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, and you hunt my life to take it.

12 May YHWH judge between me and between you, and may YHWH avenge me on you. And my hand shall not be against you.

13 As says the proverb of the ancients, ‘From the wicked proceeds wickedness,’ and my hand shall not be against you.

14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After one flea?

15 And may YHWH be judge, and judge between me and between you, and may He see and plead my case and deliver me out of your hand.”

16 And it came to pass, when David had finished 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 done me the good, and I have done you the evil.

18 And you have shown today how you have done good with me; that YHWH delivered me into your hand, and you did not kill me.