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 was 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.

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.

3 A nd he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.

And he came to a flock of sheep by the way where there was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

4 A nd the men of David said unto him, Behold, the day of which Jehovah said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thy hand, and thou shalt do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

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

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 afterward that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

6 A nd he said unto his men, Jehovah forbid that I should do this thing unto my lord, Jehovah's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Jehovah's anointed.

And he said unto his men, The LORD keep me from doing this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

7 S o 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 his way.

So David stayed his servants with these words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his 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 bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.

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 worshipped.

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

¶ And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?

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

Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into my hand in the cave, and some bade me kill thee, but I forgave thee, and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.

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 my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.

Moreover, my father, see; see the skirt of thy robe is even in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt 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 doest hunt my life to take it.

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

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

13 A s saith the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee.

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds 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 flea?

15 J ehovah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.

The LORD, therefore, shall judge, and he shall judge between me and thee. Let him see and plead my cause, and defend me from 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 it came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words unto Saul, that 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 rendered unto me good, whereas I have rendered unto thee evil.

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

18 A nd thou hast declared this day how that thou hast dealt well with me, forasmuch as when Jehovah had delivered me up into thy hand, thou killedst me not.

And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me; forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me 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 Jehovah reward thee good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.

For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe and sound? The LORD reward thee with good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.

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

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be firm and stable in thy hand.

21 S wear now therefore unto 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.

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.

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

Then David swore unto Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up unto the fortress.