-
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.
02 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.
03 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.
04 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.
05 And it came to pass afterward, that David's
heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's
skirt.
06 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.
07 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.
08 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.
09 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.
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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.
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