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David Spares Saul
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.
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.
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.
So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.
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.
At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave!
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.
“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe.
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
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.
He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.”
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.
So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul.
After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way,
After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way,
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.
David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked around, David bowed low before him.
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you?
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.
This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king — he is the LORD’s anointed one.’
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.
Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.
The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
“May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you.
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea?
The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
May the LORD therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!”
David's Oath to Saul
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.
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.
When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry.
And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil.
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.
Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the LORD put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it.
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.
Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the LORD reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.
And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
And now I realize that you are surely going to be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule.
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.
Now swear to me by the LORD that when that happens you will not kill my family and destroy my line of descendants!”