1 Samuel 24

1It happened, when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, that they informed him, saying, "Look, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi."

2Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.

3He came to the sheep pens by the road, where there was a cave, and Saul entered to cover his feet, while David and his men were dwelling in the recesses of the cave.

4David's men said to him, "See, this is the day Yahweh spoke of to you: 'See, I myself am handing your enemy—your enemy—into your hand, and you shall do to him whatever seems right to you.'" David arose and cut off the corner of Saul's robe secretly.

5Afterward David's heart struck him because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

6He said to his men, "Far be it from me before Yahweh to do this thing to my lord, Yahweh's anointed, by stretching out my hand against him, because he is Yahweh's anointed."

7David restrained his men with words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose from the cave and went on his way.

8David stood up afterward, left the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed his face to the ground and prostrated himself.

9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'See, David seeks your harm'?"

10Look, today your eyes have seen how Yahweh delivered you into my hand in the cave today; someone said to kill you, but my eye spared you, and I said, I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is Yahweh's anointed.

11My father, see—yes, see—the edge of your robe in my hand, for in cutting off the edge of your robe I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.

12May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me from you; but my hand shall not be upon you.

13As the ancients' proverb declares, wickedness arises from the wicked, but my hand will not be upon you.

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

15May Yahweh be judge and judge between me and you, see and plead my cause, and deliver me from your hand.

16When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" Saul raised his voice and wept.

17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, but I have repaid you evil."

18You have made known today how you have done good to me, for Yahweh delivered me into your hand, and you did not kill me.

19For if a man finds his enemy, will he send him away safely on his path? May Yahweh repay you good for what you have done to me today.

20Now, see, I know that you will certainly be king, and the kingdom of Israel will stand in your hand.

21Now swear to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my offspring after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house.

22David swore to Saul, and Saul went to his house, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.