1 W hen Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “See, David is in the desert of Engedi.”

When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.”

2 T hen 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.

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

3 H e 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.

He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were staying in the innermost parts of the cave.

4 D avid’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.

David’s men said to him, “Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe secretly.

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

Afterward, David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

6 S o 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.”

He said to his men, “Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is Yahweh’s anointed.”

7 D avid 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.

So David checked his men with these words, and didn’t allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

8 A fter 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.

David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.

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

David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to men’s words, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you?’

10 S ee, 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.’

Behold, today your eyes have seen how Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave. Some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and I said, I will not stretch out my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh’s anointed.

11 N ow, 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.

Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.

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

May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.

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

As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness;’ but my hand will not be on you.

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

Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?

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

May Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”

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

It came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 H e 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.

He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.

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

You have declared today how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn’t kill me.

19 I f 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.

For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me today.

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

Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

21 S o 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.”

Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s house.”

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

David swore to Saul. Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.