1And when Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, it was told him, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi”.
2Then 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.
3And he came to the sheepcotes (pens) along the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet (a Biblical euphemism for ‘relieving himself’); and David and his men were hiding far back in the cave.
4And David’s men said to him, “Look, the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it shall seem good to you’”. Then David arose stealthily, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe.
5Then, afterward, David felt remorse that he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, since he is the anointed of the LORD.”
7So David restrained his servants with these words, and would not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul got up and left the cave to go his way.
8Then David also went out of the cave, and shouted to Saul, “My lord, the king”. And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth,
9And said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men when they say, “David seeks your hurt”?
10Today you have seen how the LORD had delivered you into my hand in the cave; and some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and said, “I will not lay my hand on my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed”.
11And look, my father, and see the part of your robe in my hand; because I cut that off the skirt of your robe, but did not kill you, you should see and know and that there is nothing to indicate that I am guilty of either evil nor transgression, and I have not wronged you; and yet you hunt me to take my life.
12The LORD judge between you and me, and the LORD avenge me of you; but I shall not lay my hand upon you.
13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked’; but my hand shall not harm you.
14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!
15The LORD, therefore, be judge between you and me, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand”.
16And when David finished saying this, Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And Saul wept aloud.
17And he said, “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me good, while I have rewarded you with evil.
18And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; in that the LORD had delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me.
19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away? May the LORD reward you good for how you have treated me this day.
20And now I know very well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hands.
21Swear now to me by the LORD, that you will not kill my descendants after me, and that you will not blot my name out of my father's house”.
22And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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