1 ¶ 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.

When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “See, David is in the desert 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 3, 000 chosen men from all Israel, and went to find David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

3 A nd 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.

He came to the places where the sheep were kept on the way. There was a cave there, and Saul went in to get rid of his body waste. Now David and his men were sitting farther back in the cave.

4 T hen 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.

David’s men said to David, “See, this is the day the Lord told you, ‘See, I am about to give the one who hates you into your hand. You will do to him what you think is best.’” Then David got up and cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing in secret.

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

After this, David felt guilty in his heart because he had cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing.

6 A nd 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.

So he said to his men, “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.”

7 S o 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.

David stopped his men with these words. He did not let them go against Saul. So Saul stood up and left 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 stooped with his face to the earth and worshipped.

After this David got up and went out of the cave and called to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David put his face to the ground, showing much respect.

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

David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘David wants to hurt you’?

10 B ehold, 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.

See, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you to me today in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’

11 M oreover, 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.

Now, my father, see the piece of your clothing in my hand. I cut off the piece of your clothing but did not kill you. So know and understand that I have no desire to do wrong to you. I have not sinned against you, yet you come wanting to kill me.

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

May the Lord judge between you and me. May He punish you for your action against me. But my hand will not be against you.

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

As the men of long ago said in their wisdom, ‘Out of the sinful comes sin,’ but my hand will not be against you.

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 has the king come out? After whom are you running? After a dead dog? After a little bug?

15 T he 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.

May the Lord be the One to judge between you and me. May He see and help me, and save me from you.”

16 ¶ 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.

When David had finished speaking to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul gave a loud cry.

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

He said to David, “You are more right and good than I. For you have brought good to me, while I have done wrong to you.

18 A nd 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.

You have said today that you have done good to me. The Lord gave me to you and you did not kill me.

19 F or 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.

If a man finds the one who hates him, will he let him go away safe? May the Lord bring good to you for what you have done for 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 firm and stable in thy hand.

Now I know that you will be king for sure. The nation of Israel will be made strong under your power.

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.

So promise to me by the Lord that you will not destroy my children after me. Promise that you will not destroy my name from my father’s family.”

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

David gave Saul his promise, and Saul went home. But David and his men went up to the safe place.