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 Engedi.
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: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 And
the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto
thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do
to him as it shall seem good unto thee. 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 unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my
master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the
anointed of the LORD.
7 So
David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise
against Saul. But 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 stooped with his face
to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And
David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh
thy hurt?
10 Behold,
this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into
mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared
thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the
LORD'S anointed.
11 Moreover,
my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut
off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither
evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet
thou huntest my soul to take it.
12 The
LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand
shall not be upon thee.
13 As
saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but
mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14 After
whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead
dog, after a flea.
15 The
LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my
cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16 And
it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul,
that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul
lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And
he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast
rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And
thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as
when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For
if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD
reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And
now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom
of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 Swear
now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me,
and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
