1 A nd it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.

And it came to pass when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.

2 T hen 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.

And Saul took three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

3 A nd 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.

And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet; and David and his men were abiding in the recesses of the cave.

4 A nd 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.

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

5 A nd it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

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

6 A nd 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.

And he said to his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing to my master, Jehovah's anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, for he is the anointed of Jehovah.

7 S o 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.

And David checked his men with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on way.

8 D avid 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.

David also arose afterwards, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.

9 A nd David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

And David said to Saul, Why dost thou listen to words of men, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?

10 B ehold, 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.

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that Jehovah had given thee this day into my hand in the cave; and they bade me kill thee; but spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the anointed of Jehovah.

11 M oreover, 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.

And see, my father, yes, 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 and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou liest in wait for my life to take it.

12 T he Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

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

13 A s saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

14 A fter whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

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

15 T he Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

Jehovah therefore shall be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and do me justice out of thy hand.

16 A nd 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.

And as soon as David had ended speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.

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

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

18 A nd 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.

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou didst not kill me.

19 F or 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.

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

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

And now behold, I know that thou shalt certainly be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand.

21 S wear 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.

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

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

And David swore to Saul. And Saul went home; and David and his men went up to the stronghold.