The First Book of Samuel (WEB)
24: 1It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him,
saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. 24:2Then Saul took three thousand chosen
men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. 24:3He
came to the sheep pens by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now
David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. 24:4The men of David said to
him, Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your
hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt
of Saul's robe secretly. 24:5It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut
off Saul's skirt. 24:6He said to his men, Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord,
Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed. 24:7So David
checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of
the cave, and went on his way. 24:8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried
after Saul, saying, My lord the king. When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to
the earth, and did obeisance. 24:9David said to Saul, Why listen you to men's words, saying, Behold,
David seeks your hurt? 24:10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered
you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you; but my eye spared you; and I
said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh's anointed. 24:11Moreover, my
father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe,
and didn't kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I
have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it. 24:12Yahweh judge between
me and you, and Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you. 24:13As says the
proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on
you. 24:14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog,
after a flea. 24:15Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and
plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand. 24:16It came to pass, when David had made an end
of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Saul lifted up
his voice, and wept. 24:17He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to
me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil. 24:18You have declared this day how that you have
dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.
24:19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh
reward you good for that which you have done to me this day. 24:20Now, behold, I know that you
shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 24:21Swear
now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not
destroy my name out of my father's house. 24:22David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David
and his men got them up to the stronghold.
World English Bible