1 Samuel 24:4-17

4The men of David said to him, “Behold, 1this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold; 2I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good 3to you.’” Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly. 5It came about afterward that 4David’s 5conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe. 6So he said to his men, “6Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” 7David 7persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, 8left the cave, and went on his way.

8Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, 9David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks 10to harm you’? 1011Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and 12some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11Now, 13my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or 14rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you 15are lying in wait for my life to take it. 1216May the Lord judge between 17you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘18Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you. 14After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? 19A dead dog, 20a single flea? 1521The Lord therefore be judge and decide between 22you and me; and may He see and 23plead my cause and 24deliver me from your hand.”

16When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “25Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 1726He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for 27you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt wickedly with you.