1 Samuel, 24

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.

1. David then went up from there and stayed in the hiding places at Engedi.

2. 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.

2. When Saul returned from his pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert of Engedi.

3. And 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.

3. So Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men to the east of the Wild Goat crags.

4. And 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.

4. When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he entered a cave to relieve himself.

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

5. Now David and his men were far back in the cave. David's men said to him, "This is the day which Yahweh spoke of: look I will deliver your enemy into your hands and you will do with him as you see fit." So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's robe.

6. And 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.

6. But afterward, David regretted having cut off an end of Saul's robe,

7. So 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.

7. and he said to his men, "Let me not lay my hands on my master, for he is Yahweh's anointed."

8. 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 bowed himself.

8. With these words, David restrained his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.

9. And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

9. Then David himself stepped out of the cave and called after Saul, "My master, the king!" When Saul looked back, David knelt and then bowed to the ground in homage and asked him,

10. Behold, 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.

10. "Why do you listen to those who say that I want to harm you?

11. Moreover, 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.

11. Look, today you have seen that Yahweh delivered you into my hands in the cave, and I was told to kill you but I held myself back and I said: 'I will not lift my hands against my master who is Yahweh's anointed.'

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

12. My father, look at this end of your robe which I am holding! I cut off the end of your robe but did not kill you. Now you may know that I mean you no harm or treason. I have done you no wrong and yet you are hunting me down to kill me.

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

13. May Yahweh be judge between you and me and may he exact justice from you in my case, but I shall do you no harm.

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

14. As the saying goes, 'From the wicked comes wickedness'; as for me, my hand shall not harm you.

15. The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

15. But who is it you are after, O king of Israel? Are you pursuing a dead dog? A flea?

16. And 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.

16. May Yahweh be judge between you and me. May he see and uphold my cause and deliver me from your hands."

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

17. After David had spoken these words, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, my son David?" He wept aloud

18. And 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.

18. and said to David, "You are right and I am wrong, for you have repaid with kindness the harm I have inflicted on you.

19. For 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.

19. This day you have shown your righteousness to me by not taking my life when Yahweh put me into your hands.

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

20. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go unharmed? May Yahweh reward you for what you have done for me today.

21. 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.

21. Now I know for certain that you shall reign and the kingdom of Israel will be firm in your hand.

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

22. Now swear to me by Yahweh that you will not wipe out my descendants and erase the name of my family."

23.

23. David swore to this before Saul after which Saul went home while David and his men went up to the hiding place.