¶ And it came to pass, when Saul¹ was returned from following² the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness³ of Engedi.

Then Saul took⁴ three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went⁵ to seek David and his men upon the rocks⁶ of the wild goats.

And he came to the sheepcotes⁷ by the way, where was a cave; and Saul⁸ went in to cover⁹ his feet: and David¹⁰ and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

And the men¹¹ of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver¹² 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 robe¹³ privily.

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart¹⁴ smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid¹⁵ 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.

So David stayed¹⁶ his servants with these words, and suffered¹⁷ them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord¹⁸ the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped¹⁹ with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

¶²⁰And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

¶ 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 me²¹ 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'S²² anointed.

Moreover, my father²³, 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 evil²⁴ nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest²⁵ my soul to take it.

The LORD judge²⁶ between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand²⁷ shall not be upon thee.

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness²⁸ proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

After whom is the king²⁹ of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog³⁰, after a flea³¹.

The LORD therefore be judge³², and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead³³ my cause, and deliver³⁴ me out of thine hand.

¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this³⁵ thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted³⁶ up his voice, and wept.

And he said to David, Thou art³⁷ more righteous than I: for thou hast³⁸ rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD³⁹ had delivered me⁴⁰ into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD⁴¹ reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

¶ And now, behold, I know well⁴² that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

Swear⁴³ now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou⁴⁴ wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and⁴⁵ his men gat them up unto the hold⁴⁶.