1   David therefore went vp from thence, and dwelt in the safest places of Engaddi.

2   And when Saul was returned, after he pursued the Philistians, they told him, saying: Behold, Dauid is in the desert Engaddi.

3   Saul therefore taking vnto him three thousand chosen men of al Israel, went forth to search out Dauid, and his men, yea ouer the steepe broken rockes, which are accessible only to wilde goates.

4   And he came to the shepcotes, which fel in his way as he went. and there was a caue, which Saul entred into, to doe his easement: moreouer Dauid and his men lay hid in the inner part of the caue.

5   And the seruantes of Dauid sayd to him: Behold the day, whereof our Lord sayd to thee: I wil deliuer thee thyne enemie, that thou mayest doe to him as it shal seeme good in thyne eies. Dauid therefore arose, and cut of the hemme of Saules cloke softly.

6   After this ^note Dauids hart stroke him, for that he had cut of the hemme of Saules cloke.

7   And he sayd to his men: Our Lord be merciful vnto me, ^note that I doe not this thing to my Maister the annointed of our Lord, that I should lay my hand vpon him, because he is the annointed of our Lord.

8   And Dauid perswaded

Dauid. his men with wordes, and permitted them not to rise against Saul: moreouer Saul rising out of the caue, went on his iourney begunne.

9   And Dauid rose vp after him: and going out of the caue, cried behind Sauls backe, saying: My Lord King. And Saul looked backe behind him: and Dauid bowing him selfe flat to ward the ground adored,

10   and sayd to Saul: Why doest thou heare the wordes of men that say: Dauid seeketh euil against thee?

11   Loe this day thyne eies haue seene, that our Lord deliuered thee in my hand, in the caue, and I had a cogitation to kil thee, but myn eie hath spared thee. For I sayd: I wil not extend myn hand vpon my lord, because he is the annointed of our Lord.

12   But rather see and knowe, o my father, the hemme of thy cloke in my hand, that when I did cut of the hemme of thy cloke, I would not extend my hand vpon thee. Marke, and see, that there is no euil in my hand, nor iniquitie, neither haue I sinned against thee: but thou lyest in waite for my life, to take it away.

13   Our Lord iudge betwen me and thee, and our Lord reuenge me of thee, but be not my hand vpon thee.

14   As also it is sayd in the old prouerbe: From the impiovs shal impietie procede: be not therefore my hand vpon thee: Whom doest thou persecute. O King of Israel?

15   Whom doest thou persecute? thou persecutest a dead dog, and a flea.

16   Our Lord be iudge, & iudge betwen me and thee, and he see, and iudge my cause, and deliuer me out of thy hand.

17   And when Dauid had fully ended speaking such wordes to Saul, Saul sayd: Is this thy voice my sonne Dauid? and Saul lifted vp his voice, and wept:

18   and sayd to Dauid: Thou art iuster then I: for thou hast donne me good turnes, and I haue rendred thee euil.

19   And thou hast she wed this day what good thinges thou hast done to me: how our Lord deliuered me into thy hande and thou hast not killed me.

20   For who when he hath found his enemie, wil let him goe in a good way? But our Lord render thee this good turne, for that which thou hast wrought toward me this day.

21   And now because I knowe that thou most certeinly shalt reigne, and haue the kingdome of Israel in thy hand:

22   sweare to me in our Lord, not to destroy my seede after me, nor to take away my name from the house of my father.

23   And Dauid sware to Saul. Saul therefore went into his house: and Dauid and his men went vp into safer places.

Dauid.

Previous section

Next section