(KJV) 1 Samuel 24¹

⥃David Spares Saul

[1] And it came to pass, when Saul² was returned from following³ the Philistines, that it was told⁴ him, saying, Behold, David [is] in the wilderness⁵ of En–gedi. [2] Then Saul took⁶ three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went⁷ to seek David and his men upon the rocks⁸ of the wild goats. [3] And he came to the sheepcotes⁹ by the way, where [was] a cave; and Saul¹⁰ went in to cover¹¹ his feet: and David¹² and his men remained in the sides of the cave. [4] And the men¹³ of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver¹⁴ 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 robe¹⁵ privily. [5] And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart¹⁶ smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. [6] And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid¹⁷ 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] So David stayed¹⁸ his servants with these words, and suffered¹⁹ them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on [his] way. [8] David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord²⁰ the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped²¹ with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

[9] And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?²² [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 [me²³] 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’s²⁴ anointed. [11] Moreover, my father²⁵, 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 evil²⁶ nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest²⁷ my soul to take it. [12] The Lord judge²⁸ between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand²⁹ shall not be upon thee. [13] As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness³⁰ proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. [14] After whom is the king³¹ of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog³², after a flea³³. [15] The Lord therefore be judge³⁴, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead³⁵ my cause, and deliver³⁶ me out of thine hand.

⥃David’s Oath to Saul

[16] And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, [Is] this³⁷ thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted³⁸ up his voice, and wept. [17] And he said to David, Thou [art³⁹] more righteous than I: for thou hast⁴⁰ rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. [18] And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord⁴¹ had delivered me⁴² into thine hand, thou killedst me not. [19] For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord⁴³ reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. [20] And now, behold, I know well⁴⁴ that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. [21] Swear⁴⁵ now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou⁴⁶ wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house. [22] And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and⁴⁷ his men gat them up unto the hold⁴⁸.