1   When Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he learnt that David was in the wilderness of En-gedi. 2   So he took three thousand men picked from the whole of Israel and went in search of David and his men to the east of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3   There beside the road were some sheepfolds, and near by was a cave, at the far end of which David and his men were sitting concealed. Saul came to the cave and went in to relieve himself. 4    5    6    7    ^noteHis men said to David, ‘The day has come: the Lord has put your enemy into your hands, as he promised he would, and you may do what you please with him.’ David said to his men, ‘God forbid that I should harm my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift a finger against him; he is the Lord's anointed.’ So David reproved his men severely and would not let them attack Saul. He himself got up stealthily and cut off a piece of Saul's cloak; but when he had cut it off, his conscience ^note smote him. Saul rose, left the cave and went on his way; 8   whereupon David also came out of the cave and called after Saul, ‘My lord the king!’ When Saul looked round, David prostrated himself in obeisance and said to him, 9   ‘Why do you listen when they say that David is out to do you harm? 10   Today you can see for yourself that the Lord put you into my power in the cave; I had a mind to kill you, but no, I spared your life and said, “I cannot lift a finger against my master, for he is the Lord's anointed.” 11   Look, my dear lord, look at this piece of your cloak in my hand. I cut it off, but I did not kill you; this will show you that I have no thought of violence or treachery against you, and that I have done you no wrong; yet you are resolved to take my life. 12   May the Lord judge between us! but

Saul and David though he may take vengeance on you for my sake, I will never lift my hand against you; 13   “One wrong begets another”, as the old saying goes, yet I will never lift my hand against you. 14   Who has the king of Israel come out against? What are you pursuing? A dead dog, a mere flea. 15   The Lord will be judge and decide between us; let him look into my cause, he will plead for me and will acquit me.’

16   When David had finished speaking, Saul said, ‘Is that you, David my son?’, and he wept. 17   Then he said, ‘The right is on your side, not mine; you have treated me so well, I have treated you so badly. 18   Your goodness to me this day has passed all bounds: the Lord put me at your mercy but you did not kill me. 19   Not often does a man find his enemy and let him go safely on his way; so may the Lord reward you well for what you have done for me today! 20   I know now for certain that you will become king, and that the kingdom of Israel will flourish under your rule. 21   Swear to me by the Lord then that you will not exterminate my descendants and blot out my name from my father's house.’ 22   David swore an oath to Saul; and Saul went back to his home, while David and his men went up to their fastness.

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