1 Samuel

24 And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying: Lo! David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.

2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel,—and went to seek David and his men, over the face of the rocks of the mountain-goats.

3 And he came into the sheep-folds by the way, there being a cave, which Saul entered to cover his feet,—David and his men in the hinder part of the cave, having taken up their abode.

4 So David’s men said unto him—Lo! the day of which Yahweh said unto thee—Lo! I am about to deliver up thine enemy into thy hand: therefore shall thou do unto him, as shall be good in thine eyes. And David arose and cut off the corner of the robe which belonged to Saul by stealth.

5 And it came to pass afterwards that David’s heart smote him,—because he had cut off the corner [of the robe] which belonged to Saul.

6 And he said unto his men—Far be it from me of Yahweh, that I should do this thing unto my lord, unto the Anointed of Yahweh, to thrust forth my hand against him,—for the Anointed of Yahweh is he!

7 So David did chide his men with the words, and did not suffer them to rise up against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way.

8 Then David rose up, afterwards, and went forth out of the cave, and cried out after Saul, saying—My lord, O king! And when Saul looked about behind him, David inclined his face to the earth, and bowed himself down.

9 Then said David to Saul, Wherefore shouldst thou hearken unto the words of the sons of earth, saying,—Lo! David is seeking thy hurt?

10 Lo! this day have thine own eyes seen how Yahweh had delivered thee up to-day into my hand in the cave, and when one bade me slay thee, I looked with compassion upon thee,—and I said—I will not thrust forth my hand against my lord, for the Anointed of Yahweh is he!

11 But my father, see, yea, see the corner of thy robe in my hand,—for in that I cut off the corner of thy robe, and yet did not slay thee, know thou and see that there is not in my hand either wrong or transgression, neither have I sinned against thee, yet art thou hunting my life to take it.

12 Let Yahweh do justice betwixt me and thee, and let Yahweh avenge me of thee,—but mine own hand shall not be upon thee.

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, From the lawless proceedeth lawlessness,—mine own hand therefore shall not be upon thee.

14 After whom hath the king of Israel come forth? After whom art thou in pursuit? After a dead dog! after a single flea!

15 Therefore shall Yahweh become judge, and do justice betwixt me and thee,—that he may see and plead my cause, and justly deliver me out of thy hand.

16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Thy voice is this, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 And he said unto David, More righteous art thou than I, for thou hast requited me good, but I have requited thee evil.

18 Thou then hast told to-day, how thou hast dealt with me for good,—how when Yahweh had surrendered me into thy hand, thou didst not slay me.

19 Yet when a man findeth his enemy, will he let him get easily away? Yahweh then give thee good reward for what this day thou hast done unto me.

20 Now, therefore, lo! I know that thou shalt indeed become king,—and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.

21 Now, therefore, swear unto me by Yahweh that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me,—and wilt not destroy my name out of the house of my father.

22 So David sware unto Saul,—and Saul departed unto his own house, but David and his men went up on the stronghold.