024:001

Then 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

024:002

And 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

024:003

And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily

024:004

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt

024:005

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD

024:006

So 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

024:007

David 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

024:008

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt

024:009

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed

024:010

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it

024:011

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee

024:012

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee

024:013

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea

024:014

The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand

024:015

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

024:016

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil

024:017

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not

024:018

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day

024:019

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand

024:020

Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house

024:021

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold