1 David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds 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 When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, 'David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.'

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 So Saul chose three thousand elite men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.

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.

4 He came to the sheepfolds along the way, and there was a cave. Saul went in to relieve himself, while David and his men were sitting in the innermost part of the cave.

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.

5 David’s men said to him, 'This is the day the LORD spoke about when He said, "I will give your enemy into your hands, and you may do to him as you see fit."' Then David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

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

6 Afterward, David's heart troubled him because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

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.

7 He said to his men, 'The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, by raising my hand against him, for he is the LORD’s anointed.'

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.

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

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.

9 David got up afterward, went out of the cave, and called after Saul, 'My lord the king!' When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage.

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

10 David said to Saul, 'Why do you listen to the words of men who say, "David seeks your harm"?'

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.

11 'This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you and said, "I will not lay my hand on my lord because he is the LORD’s anointed."'

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.

12 Look, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Know and understand that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not sinned against you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.

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

13 May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand will not be against you.

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

14 As the old proverb says, 'From evil people comes evil deeds,' so my hand will not be against you.

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

15 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?

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

16 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May He see and plead my case and vindicate me from your hand.

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.

17 When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul asked, 'Is that your voice, my son David?' And Saul wept aloud.

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

18 He said to David, 'You are more righteous than I, for you have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.'

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.

19 Today you have shown that you dealt well with me, for when the LORD gave me into your hand, you did not kill me.

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.

20 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me today.

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

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

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 Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or destroy my name from my father's family.

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

23 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.