1And 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 En-gedi . 2Then 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 . 3And 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 . 4And 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 . 5And it came to pass afterward , that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt . 6And 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 . 7So 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 .
David Confronts Saul
8David 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. 9And David said to Saul , Wherefore hearest thou men’s words , saying , Behold, David seeketh thy hurt ? 10Behold, 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 . 11Moreover, 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. 12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 13As saith the proverb of the ancients , Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked : but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 14After whom is the king of Israel come out ? after whom dost thou pursue ? after a dead dog , after a flea . 15The LORD therefore be judge , and judge between me and thee, and see , and plead my cause , and deliver me out of thine hand .
Saul's Response and Repentance
16And 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 . 17And he said to David , Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good , whereas I have rewarded thee evil . 18And 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. 19For 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 . 20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king , and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand . 21Swear 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 . 22And David sware unto Saul . And Saul went home ; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold .