1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Yashar'el (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 was 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 Yahuah (LORD) said unto you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may 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, Yahuah (LORD) forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of Yahuah (LORD).
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 his 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, Wherefore hear you men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?
10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahuah (LORD) had delivered you to day 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 the LORD’S anointed.
11Moreover, my father, see, yea, 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 there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you huntest my soul to take it.
12Yahuah (LORD) judge between me and you, and Yahuah (LORD) avenge me of you: but my hand shall not be upon you.
13As says the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon you.
14After whom is the king of Yashar'el (Israel) come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15Yahuah (LORD) 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, 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 rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil.
18And you have shewed this day how that you have dealt well with me: forasmuch as when Yahuah (LORD) had delivered me into your hand, you killedst me not.
19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Yahuah (LORD) reward you good for that you have done unto me this day.
20And now, behold, I know well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Yashar'el (Israel) shall be established in your hand.
21Swear now therefore unto me by Yahuah (LORD), 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.