1Sa 24 | ABEn | STEP | And it came to pass as Saul returned from going after the Philistines, that they reported to him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.

‏ 1 Samuel 24

CHAPTER 24 Saul Seeks David's Life at EnGedi

1 And it came to pass as Saul returned from going after the Philistines, that they reported to him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi. 2 And he took with himself three thousand [²men ¹chosen] from out of all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men by the face of the trap of the hinds. 3 And he came unto the herds of the flocks of the ones upon the way. And [²was ³there ¹a cave], and Saul entered to make preparation. And David and his men were in the cave inside sitting down in it.

David Removes the Border of Saul's Garment

4 And [⁴said ¹the ²men ³of David] to him, Behold, [²the ³day ¹this is] which the lord spoke to you, Behold, I give your enemy into your hands; and you shall do to him as is good in your eyes. And David rose up and removed the border of the doubled garment of Saul clandestinely. 5 And it came to pass after these things, that [²struck ¹David's heart] him, for he removed the border of his double garment. 6 And David said to his men, By no means be it to me from the lord if I should do this thing to my master, to the anointed one of the lord, to bear my hand against him, for [³the anointed one ⁴of the lord ¹this ²is]. 7 And David persuaded his men by words, and he did not give in to them to rise up and to put Saul to death. And Saul rose up and went forth into the way from the cave. 8 And David rose up after him from out of the cave. And David yelled after Saul, saying, O Master, O king. And Saul looked up to his rear. And David bowed upon his face unto the ground, and he did obeisance to him. 9 And David said to Saul, Why do you hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life? 10 Behold, in this day [²have seen ¹your eyes] how [²delivered ³you ¹the lord] today into my hands in the cave, and I did not want to kill you, and I spared you. And I said, I will not bear my hand against my master, for [³the anointed one ⁴of the lord ¹this one ²is]. 11 And, O my father, even behold, the border of your doubled garment in my hand. I removed the border of your doubled garment, and I did not kill you. And know and behold today! that there is no evil in my hand, nor annulment, nor impiety, and I have not sinned against you. But you bind my life to take it. 12 May the lord judge between me and you, and may [²render justice ³to me ¹the lord] because of you. But my hand will not be against you. 13 As [⁴says ³parable ¹the ²ancient], [³from ⁴the lawless ²shall come forth ¹Trespass]. But my hand will not be against you. 14 And now, after whom do you go forth, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dog having died, or after [²flea ¹one]? 15 May the lord be for a judge and magistrate between me and you. Yes, may the lord behold, and may he judge my case, and may he adjudicate for me from out of your hand. 16 And it came to pass, as David completed speaking these things to Saul, that Saul said, Is [²voice ¹this your], son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 And he said to David, You are righteous over me, for you recompensed to me good things, but I recompensed to you evils. 18 And you have reported today what [²you did ³to me ¹good things], as how [²locked ³me ¹the lord] into your hands today, and you did not kill me. 19 And that if anyone may find his enemy in affliction, and shall send him forth in [²way ¹a good], even the lord will recompense to him good things, as you have done today. 20 And now, behold, I know that in reigning you shall reign, and [⁴shall be established ¹the ²kingdom ³of Israel] in your hand. 21 And now swear by an oath to me according to the lord, that you should not utterly destroy my seed after me, and you should not obliterate my name from the house of my father. 22 And David swore by an oath to Saul. And Saul went forth unto his house. And David and his men ascended unto Messara the narrows.