1
And it came to pass, when Shaul returned from pursuing after the Pelishtim, that it was declared to him, saying, “See, Daviyd is in the wilderness of Ein-Gedi.”
2
And Shaul took three thousand chosen ish from all Yisra’el and went to seek Daviyd and his men upon the face of the rocks of the wild goats.
3
And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, and there was a cave there. And Shaul went in to cover his feet. And Daviyd and his men were dwelling in the innermost parts of the cave.
4
And the men of Daviyd said to him, “See, the day of which Yahuah said to you, ‘See, I am giving your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him according to what is good in your eyes.’” And Daviyd rose and secretly cut off the edge of the robe that belonged to Shaul.
5
And it came to pass afterward that the heart of Daviyd struck him because he had cut off the edge that belonged to Shaul.
6
And he said to his men, “Far be it from me, by Yahuah, that I should do this thing to my master, to the anointed of Yahuah, to stretch out my hand against him, for he is the anointed of Yahuah.”
7
And Daviyd restrained his men with these words and did not permit them to rise against Shaul. And Shaul rose from the cave and went on the way.
8
And Daviyd rose afterward and went out from the cave and called after Shaul, saying, “My master the king!” And Shaul looked behind him, and Daviyd bowed his face to the earth and bowed himself.
9
And Daviyd said to Shaul, “Why do you listen to the words of Adam, saying, ‘See, Daviyd seeks your evil’?
10
See, this day your eyes have seen how Yahuah gave you today into my hand in the cave, and one said to put you to death. But I spared you and said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my master, for he is the anointed of Yahuah.’
11
And my father, see, yes, see the edge of your robe in my hand. For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not put you to death, know and see that there is no evil or transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my being to take it.
12
May Yahuah judge between me and you, and may Yahuah avenge me from you, but my hand shall not be against you.
13
As the proverb of the ancient ones says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you.
14
After whom has the king of Yisra’el gone out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? After one flea?
15
And Yahuah shall be Judge, and He shall judge between me and you, and He shall see and contend my contention, and judge me from your hand.”
16
And it came to pass, when Daviyd finished speaking these words to Shaul, that Shaul said, “Is this your voice, my son Daviyd?” And Shaul lifted up his voice and wept.
17
And he said to Daviyd, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, while I have repaid you evil.
18
And you have declared this day how you have dealt good with me, in that Yahuah gave me into your hand and you did not put me to death.
19
For if an ish finds his enemy, will he send him away on a good way? And may Yahuah repay you good for what you have done to me this day.
20
And now, see, knowing, I know that reigning, you shall surely reign, and that the kingdom of Yisra’el shall be established in your hand.
21
And now swear to me by Yahuah that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name from the house of my father.”
22
And Daviyd swore to Shaul. And Shaul went to his house, but Daviyd and his men went up to the stronghold.