| 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 En-gedi. 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. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of
the cave. 4 And the men of David 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 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, 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. 7 So David checked his men with these words, and
suffered them not to rise against Saul. And 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 bowed
with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. 9 And David said to Saul,
Wherefore hearkenest thou to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy
hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how 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 said, I will not put forth my hand
against my lord; for he is Jehovah'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 my hand, and I have not sinned against
thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it. 12 Jehovah judge
between me and thee, and Jehovah avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be
upon thee. 13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked
cometh forth wickedness; but my 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 Jehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence
between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy
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 rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto
thee evil. 18 And thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt
well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand,
thou killedst me not. 19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go
well away? wherefore Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done
unto me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely be
king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.
21 Swear now therefore 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. 22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his
men gat them up unto the stronghold.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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