CHAPTER 24
After
Saul
had returned
from pursuing
the Philistines,
he was told,
“David
is in the wilderness
of
En-gedi.”
So Saul
took
three
thousand
chosen
men
from all
Israel
and went
to look for
David
and his men
in
the region
of the Rocks
of the Wild Goats.
Soon Saul came
to
the sheepfolds
along
the road,
where there was
a cave,
and he
went in
to relieve
himself.
And David
and his men
were hiding
in the recesses
of the cave.
The men
of David
said
to him,
“This is
the day
about which the LORD
said
to you,
‘Behold,
I
will deliver
your enemy
into your hands
to do
with him
as
you wish.’”
Then David
crept up
secretly
and cut off
a corner
of Saul's
robe.
So he said
to his men,
“The LORD
forbid
that
I
should do
such
a thing
to my master,
the LORD’s
anointed.
I will never lift
my hand against him,
since
he
is the LORD’s
anointed.”
With these words
David
restrained
his men,
and he did not
let
them rise up
against
Saul.
Then Saul
left
the cave
and went
on his way.
After
that,
David
got up,
went out
of
the cave,
and called out
to
Saul,
“My lord
the king!”
When Saul
looked
behind him,
David
bowed
facedown
in reverence
and
said
to Saul,
“Why
do you listen
to the words
of men
who say,
‘Look,
David
intends
to harm you’?
Behold,
this
day
you have seen
with your own eyes
that
the LORD
delivered you
into my hand
in the cave.
I was told
to kill you,
but I spared
you
and said,
‘I will not
lift
my hand
against my lord,
since
he
is the LORD's
anointed.'
See,
my father,
look
at the corner
of your robe
in my hand.
For
I cut it
off,
but I did not
kill you.
See
and know
that
there is no
evil
or rebellion
in my hands.
I have not
sinned
against you,
even though you
are hunting me down
to take
my life.
May the LORD
judge
between you and me,
and may the LORD
take vengeance
on you,
but my hand
will never
be
against you.
As
the old
proverb
says,
‘Wickedness
proceeds
from the wicked.’
But my hand
will never
be
against you.
May the LORD
be
our judge
and decide
between you and me.
May He take notice
and plead
my case
and deliver me
from your hand.”
When David
had finished
saying
these
things,
Saul
called back,
“Is that
your voice,
David
my son?”
Then Saul
wept
aloud
and said
to
David,
“You
are more righteous
than I,
for
you
have rewarded me
with good,
though I
have rewarded you
with evil.
And you
have shown
this day
how
well
you have dealt
with me;
for when
the LORD
delivered me
into your hand,
you did not
kill me.
When
a man
finds
his enemy,
does he let him go
away
unharmed?
May the LORD
reward you
with good
for
what
you have done
for me
this
day.
Now
I know
for sure that
you will be king,
and that the kingdom
of Israel
will be established
in your hands.
So now,
swear
to me
by the LORD
that you will not
cut off
my descendants
or wipe out
my name
from my father's
house.”
So David
gave his oath
to Saul.
Then Saul
returned
home,
but David
and his men
went up
to
the stronghold.