1 Samuel 24
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.
