- After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines , he was told - - “ David is in the wilderness vvv of En-gedi.”
So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for - David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds ... along the road , where there was a cave , and he went in to relieve - himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
So David’s men said to him , “ This is the day about which the LORD said to you , ‘ Behold , I will deliver your enemy - into your hand , that you may do as you wish .... ’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off - a corner of Saul’s robe -.
- Afterward ... , David’s - conscience was stricken because - he had cut off - the corner - of Saul’s robe.
So he said to his men , “ The LORD forbid that should do - such a thing to my master , the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
With these words David restrained - his men , and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
After that , David got up , went out of the cave , and called out to Saul , ... “ My lord the king ! ” When Saul looked behind him , David bowed facedown ... in reverence
and said to Saul , “ Why do you listen - to the words of men who say , ‘ Look , David intends to harm you ’ ?
Behold , this day you have seen with your own eyes - that the LORD ... delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you , but I spared you and said , ‘ I will not lift my hand against my lord , since he is the LORD’s anointed. ’
See , ... my father , look - at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it ... off , - but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned even though you are hunting me down - to take my life.
May the LORD judge between you and me ... , and may the LORD take vengeance on you , but my hand will never be
As the old proverb says , ‘ Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be
Against whom has the king of Israel come out ... ? Whom are you pursuing ... ? A dead ... dog ? A flea ?
May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me .... May He take notice and plead - my case and deliver me from your hand.”
- When David had finished saying - these things - - , Saul called back , “ Is that your voice , David my son ? ” Then Saul wept aloud ...
and said to David , “ You are more righteous than I , for you have rewarded me with good , though I have rewarded you with evil.
And you have shown this day - how well - you have dealt with me ; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand , you did not kill me.
When a man - finds his enemy , does he let him go away unharmed ? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done this day.
Now I know ... for sure that vvv you will be king , and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
So now , swear by the LORD that you will not cut off - my descendants ... ... or wipe out - my name from my father’s house.”
So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul ... returned home , but David and his men went up to the stronghold.