1 Samuel 24
24:1And it came to pass as Saul returned from going after the Philistines, that they reported to him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.
24:2And he took with himself three thousand chosen men from out of all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men by the face of the trap of the hinds.
24:3And he came unto the herds of the flocks of the ones upon the way. And a cave was there, and Saul entered to make preparation. And David and his men were in the cave inside sitting down in it.
24:4And the men of David said to him, Behold, this is the day which the lord spoke to you, Behold, I give your enemy into your hands; and you shall do to him as is good in your eyes. And David rose up and removed the border of the doubled garment of Saul clandestinely.
24:5And it came to pass after these things, that David's heart struck him, for he removed the border of his double garment.
24:6And David said to his men, By no means be it to me from the lord if I should do this thing to my master, to the anointed one of the lord, to bear my hand against him, for this is the anointed one of the lord.
24:7And David persuaded his men by words, and he did not give in to them to rise up and to put Saul to death. And Saul rose up and went forth into the way from the cave.
24:8And David rose up after him from out of the cave. And David yelled after Saul, saying, O Master, O king. And Saul looked up to his rear. And David bowed upon his face unto the ground, and he did obeisance to him.
24:9And David said to Saul, Why do you hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life?
24:10Behold, in this day your eyes have seen how the lord delivered you today into my hands in the cave, and I did not want to kill you, and I spared you. And I said, I will not bear my hand against my master, for this one is the anointed one of the lord.
24:11And, O my father, even behold, the border of your doubled garment in my hand. I removed the border of your doubled garment, and I did not kill you. And know and behold today! that there is no evil in my hand, nor annulment, nor impiety, and I have not sinned against you. But you bind my life to take it.
24:12May the lord judge between me and you, and may the lord render justice to me because of you. But my hand will not be against you.
24:13As the ancient parable says, Trespass shall come forth from the lawless. But my hand will not be against you.
24:14And now, after whom do you go forth, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dog having died, or after one flea?
24:15May the lord be for a judge and magistrate between me and you. Yes, may the lord behold, and may he judge my case, and may he adjudicate for me from out of your hand.
24:16And it came to pass, as David completed speaking these things to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
24:17And he said to David, You are righteous over me, for you recompensed to me good things, but I recompensed to you evils.
24:18And you have reported today what good things you did to me, as how the lord locked me into your hands today, and you did not kill me.
24:19And that if anyone may find his enemy in affliction, and shall send him forth in a good way, even the lord will recompense to him good things, as you have done today.
24:20And now, behold, I know that in reigning you shall reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
24:21And now swear by an oath to me according to the lord, that you should not utterly destroy my seed after me, and you should not obliterate my name from the house of my father.
24:22And David swore by an oath to Saul. And Saul went forth unto his house. And David and his men ascended unto Messara the narrows.