1 Samuel 24 David cuts off the hem of Saul's robe

 1 Samuel 24

David cuts off the hem of Saul's robe

1 And it came to pass, when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, that he was told, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.

2 Then Saul took three thousand men, chosen from all Israel, and went in search of David and his men, up to the mountaintops of the mountain goats.

3 And he came to sheepfolds on the way, where a cave was; and Saul came in, covering his feet: and David and his men were at the sides of the cave.

4 Then David's men said to him, “Here is the day, from which the Lord says to you, Behold, I have given your enemy into your hands, and you will do as he sees fit in your eyes. And David arose, and meekly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

5 It happened, however, that afterward David's heart hurt because he had cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

6 And he said to his men, May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my lord, to the Lord's anointed, while I stretch out my hand against him, for he is the Lord's anointed.

7 And with these words David restrained his men, and did not allow them to rise up against Saul; and Saul got up from the cave, and went on his way.

8 Then David also arose, and left the cave, and shouted behind Saul, saying, King, my lord! And looking back at Saul, David bowed himself with his face to the ground, and fell down.

9 And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Behold, David seeks your evil?

10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen, that the Lord today has placed you in my hands in this cave, and some have said that I should kill you: but my hand spared you: for he said, I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for it is anointed by the Lord.

11 Look, then, my father, see the hem of your robe in my hand here; because when I cut off the hem of your robe, I did not kill you. Therefore, be warned, see that there is neither evil nor malice in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; but you are hunting for my life, to take it away.

12 Judge the Lord between me and you, and the Lord avenge me on you: but my hand will not be against you.

13 As the proverb of the ancients says: From the wicked proceeds wickedness; but my hand will not be against you.

14 After whom did the king of Israel come out? who are you chasing? to a dead dog? to a flea?

15 But the Lord will be a judge, and he will judge between you and me, and he will see and plead my cause, and he will defend me from your hand.

16 And it came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Then Saul raised his voice and wept.

17 And he said to David, You are righteous more than I, for you have rewarded me with good, and I have rewarded you with evil.

18 And you showed today that you used me well; for the Lord had put me in your hands, and you did not kill me.

19 For who can find his enemy who would let him go in a good way? the Lord therefore pay you well, for what you have done to me today.

20 Now therefore, behold, I know that you will surely reign, and that the kingdom of Israel must be firm in your hand.

21 Therefore now swear to me by the Lord that you will not uproot my seed after me, nor shame my name from my father's house.

22 Then David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his house, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.