David Spares Saul
1And it came to pass, when Saulwas returnedfrom followingthe Philistines,that it was toldhim, saying,Behold, David[is] in the wildernessof Engedi.2Then Saultookthreethousandchosenmenout of all Israel,and wentto seekDavidand his menuponthe rocksof the wild goats.3And he cameto the sheepcotesby the way,where [was] a cave;and Saulwent into coverhis feet:and Davidand his menremainedin the sidesof the cave.4And the menof Davidsaidunto him, Behold the dayof which the LORDsaidunto thee, Behold, I will deliverthine enemyinto thine hand,that thou mayest doto him as it shall seem goodunto thee.Then Davidarose,and cut offthe skirtof Saul'srobeprivily.5And it came to pass afterward,that David'sheartsmotehim, because he had cut offSaul'sskirt.6And he saidunto his men,The LORDforbidthat I should dothis thingunto my master,the LORD'Sanointed,to stretch forthmine handagainst him, seeing he [is] the anointedof the LORD.7So Davidstayedhis servantswith these words,and sufferedthem not to riseagainst Saul.But Saulrose upout of the cave,and wenton [his] way.
8Davidalso aroseafterward, and went outof the cave,and criedafterSaul,saying,My lordthe king.And when Saullookedbehindhim, Davidstoopedwith his faceto the earth,and bowedhimself.9And Davidsaidto Saul,Wherefore hearestthou men'swords,saying,Behold, Davidseekeththy hurt?10Behold, this daythine eyeshave seenhow that the LORDhad deliveredthee to dayinto mine handin the cave:and [some] bade[me] killthee: but [mine eye] sparedthee; and I said,I will not put forthmine handagainst my lord;for he [is] the LORD'Sanointed.11Moreover, my father,see,yea, seethe skirtof thy robein my hand:for in that I cut offthe skirtof thy robe,and killedthee not, knowthou and seethat [there is] neither evilnor transgressionin mine hand,and I have not sinnedagainst thee; yet thou huntestmy soulto takeit.12The LORDjudgebetween me and thee, and the LORDavengeme of thee: but mine handshall not be upon thee.13As saiththe proverbof the ancients,Wickednessproceedethfrom the wicked:but mine handshall not be upon thee.14Afterwhom is the kingof Israelcome out?afterwhom dost thou pursue?aftera deaddog,afteraflea.15The LORDtherefore be judge,and judgebetween me and thee, and see,and pleadmy cause,and deliverme out of thine hand.
David's Oath to Saul
16And it came to pass, when Davidhad made an endof speakingthese wordsunto Saul,that Saulsaid,[Is] this thy voice,my sonDavid?And Saullifted uphis voice,and wept.17And he saidto David,Thou [art] more righteousthan I: for thou hast rewardedme good,whereas I have rewardedthee evil.18And thou hast shewedthis dayhow that thou hast dealtwellwith me: forasmuch as when the LORDhad deliveredme into thine hand,thou killedstme not.19For if a manfindhis enemy,will he let him gowellaway?wherefore the LORDrewardthee goodfor that thou hast doneunto me this day.20And now, behold, I know wellthat thou shalt surelybe king,and that the kingdomof Israelshall be establishedin thine hand.21Swearnow therefore unto me by the LORD,that thou wilt notcut offmy seedafterme, and that thou wilt not destroymy nameout of my father'shouse.22And Davidswareunto Saul.And Saulwenthome;but Davidand his mengat them upunto the hold.
