1 Samuel Chapter 24

David Spares Sual’s Life

¹ When Saul came back from chasing the Philistines, he heard that David was in the Wilderness of En-gedi. ² Saul took 3,000 chosen men from all over Israel and went to look for him and his men at the Rocks of the Wild Goats. ³ He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave, and went in to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. ⁴ David’s men said, “This is the day Yahveh told you he’d deliver your enemy to you.” David got up and cut off the edge of Saul’s robe secretly. ⁵ Afterward, his conscience bothered him over it. ⁶ He told his men, “Yahveh forbid that I should reach out against his anointed.” ⁷ He dissuaded them with that comment and didn’t let them attack Saul. Saul got up and left the cave.                                                                                          

1 Sam 24:1-7

⁸ Afterward David went out and yelled, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground and prostrated himself. ⁹ He said,

“Why listen to people that say I’m trying to harm you? ¹⁰ You’ve seen that Yahveh delivered you to me today. Some said to kill you, but I took pity on you and wouldn’t reach out against Yahveh’s anointed. ¹¹ Now, father, look at the hem of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off its edge and didn’t kill you, know that I’m not leading a rebellion. I haven’t sinned against you even though you’re lying in wait to kill me. ¹² Yahveh judge between us. May he avenge me on you, but I won’t oppose you. ¹³ As the ancient proverb says, ‘Sinfulness comes from the sinful.’ I won’t oppose you. ¹⁴ What did you come out against? A dead dog? A single flea? ¹⁵ Let Yahveh decide between us. May he argue my case and deliver me from you.”

¹⁶ When David finished, Saul said,

“Is that you, David my son? ¹⁷ You’re better than I am. You’ve been good to me while I’ve been bad to you. ¹⁸ You’ve declared that you’ve done good to me, that Yahveh delivered me to you, but you didn’t kill me. ¹⁹ If someone finds his enemy, will he let him get away? May Yahveh reward you with good for what you’ve done today. ²⁰ I know you’ll be king, and the kingdom will be firmly under your rule. ²¹ Swear to me by Yahveh that you won’t kill my descendants or destroy my name from my father’s family.”

²² David swore to him, and he went home. David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Sam 24:8-22