I Samuel 24 · שמואל א

And David went up from there, and dwelt in strong holds at ῾En-gedi.

And it came to pass when Sha᾽ul was returned from following the Pelishtim, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of ῾En-gedi.

Then Sha᾽ul took three thousand chosen men out of all Yisra᾽el, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave; and Sha᾽ul went in to relieve himself: and David and his men remained in the back of the cave.

And the men of David said to him, Behold the day of which the Lord said to thee, Behold, I will deliver thy enemy into thy hand, that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good to thee. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the corner of Sha᾽ul’s robe.

And it came to pass afterwards, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Sha᾽ul’s robe.

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

So David scolded his servants with these words, and did not permit them to rise against Sha᾽ul. But Sha᾽ul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

David also arose afterwards, and went out of the cave, and cried after Sha᾽ul, saying, My lord the king. And when Sha᾽ul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

And David said to Sha᾽ul, Why dost thou listen to men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?

Behold, this day thy eyes have seen how the Lord had delivered thee to day into my hand in the cave: and some told me to kill thee: but my eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put out my hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.

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

The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

As the proverb of the ancients says, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon thee.

After whom is the king of Yisra᾽el come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a single flea.

The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and let him see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.

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

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

And thou hast declared this day how thou hast dealt well with me: seeing that when the Lord had delivered me into thy hand, thou didst not kill me.

For if a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away safe? so may the Lord reward thee good for what thou hast done to me this day.

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Yisra᾽el shall be established in thy hand.

Swear now therefore to 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.

And David swore to Sha᾽ul. And Sha᾽ul went home; but David and his men went up to the fortress.