1 Samuel 24

1And it cameH5927 to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, DavidH1732 is in the wilderness of En-gedi. 2Then SaulH7586 took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and wentH7725 to seek DavidH1732 and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and SaulH7586 went in to cover his feet. Now DavidH1732 and his menH376 were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. 4And the menH376 of DavidH1732 said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then DavidH1732 arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cutH3772 off Saul’s skirtH3671. 6And he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah’s anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah’s anointed. 7So David checked his menH376 with these wordsH1697, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

8DavidH1732 also aroseH6965 afterward, and went out of the caveH4631, and cried after SaulH7586, saying, My lord the king. And when SaulH7586 looked behind him, DavidH1732 bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. 9And DavidH1732 saidH559 to SaulH7586, Wherefore hearkenest thou to men’s words, sayingH559, Behold, DavidH1732 seeketh thy hurt? 10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen howH4100 that Jehovah had delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee; but mine eye spared thee; and I saidH559, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Jehovah’s anointed. 11Moreover, my father, seeH7200, yea, seeH7200 the skirt of thy robe in my handH3027; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killedH2026 thee not, know thou and seeH7200 that there is neither evil nor transgression in my handH3027, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it. 12Jehovah judge between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my handH3027 shall not be upon thee. 13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my handH3027 shall not beH1961 upon thee. 14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.

16And 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. 17And he saidH559 to DavidH1732, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil. 18And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealtH1580 well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not. 19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee goodH2896 for that which thou hast done unto me this dayH3117. 20And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand. 21Swear nowH6258 thereforeH6258 unto me by Jehovah, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house. 22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the stronghold.