1 Samuel 24

1When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, word was brought to him: “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”

2So Saul took 3,000 men chosen from all Israel and set out to search for David and his men east of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3He came to the sheep pens along the road. A cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself, while David and his men sat far back in the cave. 4David’s men said to him, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he told you, ‘I am going to give your enemy into your hand, and you may do to him whatever you think best.’” Then David got up and quietly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 5Afterward David’s conscience troubled him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

6He told his men, “The LORD forbid that I do this to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, and raise my hand against him! He is the LORD’s anointed.” 7With these words David held his men back and would not let them attack Saul. Saul got up, left the cave and went on his way.

8Afterward David also got up, went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” Saul looked back, and David bowed low with his face to the ground and lay prostrate before him.

9David said to Saul, “Why do you listen when people say, ‘David is out to harm you’? 10Today you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD put you into my hands in the cave. I was urged to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11My father, look! See the corner of your robe here in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe, but I did not kill you. You can know for certain from this that I mean you no harm and am not rebelling against you. I have not wronged you, yet you are hunting me down to take my life. 12May the LORD judge between us, and may the LORD avenge the wrong you have done me. But I will not lift my hand against you. 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness comes from the wicked.’ But my hand will not be against you. 14Whom has the king of Israel come out to chase? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog! A single flea! 15May the LORD be the judge and decide between you and me. May he see this, take up my case and rescue me from your power by giving me justice.”

16When David had finished saying this to Saul, Saul said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And Saul wept aloud. 17He said to David, “You are more righteous than I am. You have repaid me with good, while I have repaid you with evil. 18Today you have shown how well you have treated me: the LORD handed me over to you, and you did not kill me. 19Who ever finds an enemy and lets him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you have treated me today. 20Now I know that you will surely become king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be firmly established in your hands. 21Now then, give me your oath by the LORD that you will not wipe out my descendants after me or destroy my name from my father’s family.” 22So David gave Saul his oath. Then Saul went back home, while David and his men climbed up to the stronghold.