24:1 And it came to pass, when Sha'ul was returned from following the Pelistim, that it was told him, saying, Hinnei, David [is] in midbar Ein-Gedi.
24:2 Then Sha'ul took three thousand chosen men out of all Yisrael, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
24:3 And he came to the sheepfold by the way, where [was] a cave; and Sha'ul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Hinnei the day of which YHWH (יהוה) said unto thee, Hinnei, 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 kanaph (corner) of Sha'ul's robe privily.
24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Sha'ul's kanaph (corner).
24:6 And he said unto his men, YHWH (יהוה) forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, YHWH (יהוה)'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of YHWH (יהוה).
24:7 So David stayed his avadim with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Sha'ul. But Sha'ul rose up out of the cave, and went on [his] way.
24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Sha'ul, saying, My master the melekh. And when Sha'ul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
24:9 And David said to Sha'ul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Hinnei, David seeketh thy hurt?
24:10 Hinnei, this day thine eyes have seen how that YHWH (יהוה) 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 master; for he [is] YHWH (יהוה)'S anointed.
24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the kanaph (corner) of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the kanaph (corner) 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.
24:12 YHWH (יהוה) judge between me and thee, and YHWH (יהוה) avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
24:14 After whom is the melekh of Yisrael come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
24:15 YHWH (יהוה) therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
24:16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Sha'ul, that Sha'ul said, [Is] this thy voice, my son David? And Sha'ul lifted up his voice, and wept.
24:17 And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
24:18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when YHWH (יהוה) had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
24:19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore YHWH (יהוה) reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
24:20 And now, Hinnei, I know well that thou shalt surely be melekh, and that the kingdom of Yisrael shall be established in thine hand.
24:21 Swear now therefore unto me by YHWH (יהוה), that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
24:22 And David sware unto Sha'ul. And Sha'ul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.