1 Samuel 24

1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David in the wilderness of Engedi. 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 by the way, where a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Yahuah said unto you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 6And he said unto his men, The Yahuah forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Yahuah'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he the anointed of the Yahuah. 7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on way. 8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9And David said to Saul, therefore hearest you men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh your hurt? 10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the Yahuah had delivered you to day into mine hand in the cave: and bade kill you: but spared you; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he the Yahuah'S anointed. 11Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you huntest my soul to take it. 12The Yahuah judge between me and you, and the Yahuah avenge me of you: but mine hand shall not be upon you. 13As says the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon you. 14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 15The Yahuah therefore be judge, and judge between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand. 16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 17And he said to David, you more righteous than I: for you hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil. 18And you hast shewed this day how that you hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Yahuah had delivered me into your hand, you killedst me not. 19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? therefore the Yahuah reward you good for that you hast done unto me this day. 20And now, behold, I know well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21Swear now therefore unto me by the Yahuah, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house. 22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.