David Spares Saul

1And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from after the Philistines, that it was declared to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the Wilderness of En-gedi.” 2And Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men on the face of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

3And he came to the folds of the flock by the road, and there was a cave. And Saul went in to cover his feet.† And David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave. 4And the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which YHWH said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as is good in your eyes.’”

And David arose and cut off a corner of the robe that was on Saul—in secrecy.

5And it came to pass after thus, that the heart of David troubled him, upon that he had cut off the skirt that was on Saul. 6And he said to his men, “Far be it from me, YHWH, that I should do this thing to my master—to the anointed of YHWH—to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the anointed of YHWH.”

7And David restrained his servants with words, and he did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.

8And David arose after thus, and he went out of the cave, and he called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!”

And Saul looked behind him, and David bowed nostrils to the earth, and bowed down. 9And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of a man saying, ‘Behold, David is seeking your harm’? 10behold, this day your eyes have seen that YHWH had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. And one said to kill you, and I had pity on you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord; for he is the anointed of YHWH.’

11And my father, see, yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For by cutting off the skirt of your robe and not killing you, know and see that evil and rebellion are not in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, and you hunt my life to take it.

12May YHWH judge between me and between you, and may YHWH avenge me on you. And my hand shall not be against you. 13As says the proverb of the ancients, ‘From the wicked proceeds wickedness,’ and my hand shall not be against you.

14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After one flea? 15And may YHWH be judge, and judge between me and between you, and may He see and plead my case and deliver me out of your hand.”

David’s Oath to Saul

16And it came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”

And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have done me the good, and I have done you the evil. 18And you have shown today how you have done good with me; that YHWH delivered me into your hand, and you did not kill me. 19When a man finds his enemy, does he send him away in a good manner? And YHWH repays you with good for what you have done to me this day.

20And behold, I know that you shall surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall stand in your hand. 21And now, swear to me by YHWH that you will not cut off my seed after me or destroy my name from the house of my father.”

22And David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his house; and David and his men went up to the stronghold.