“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. 22 And David sware unto Saul.
And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.” (1
Samuel 24:1-22 AV)
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