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ULT 1SA Chapter 24

24 And it happened when Saul returned from after the Philistines, that they told him, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.”[fn] 2 And Saul took 3,000 men chosen from all Israel. And he went to seek David and his men on the face of the rocks of the wild goats. 3 And he came to the pens of the sheep on the way, and a cave was there. And Saul entered to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost part of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, “Behold, today is what Yahweh said to you, ‘Behold, I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you will do to him as is good in your eyes.’ ” And David rose and cut off the edge of the robe which belonged to Saul in secrecy. 5 And it happened after thus that the heart of David struck him because he had cut off the edge, which belonged to Saul. 6 And he said to his men, “Far be it for me from Yahweh if I do this thing to my master, to the anointed one of Yahweh, to stretch out my hand against him. For he is the anointed one of Yahweh.” 7 And David divided his men with the words and did not give them to rise against Saul. And Saul rose from the cave and went in the way.

8 And David rose after thus and went out from the cave. And he called out behind Saul, saying, “My master the king!” And Saul looked behind him, and David bowed, nostrils to the ground, and he bowed down. 9 And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of a man, saying, ‘Behold, David is seeking your harm?’ 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that Yahweh gave you into my hand today in the cave. And some said to slay you, but it looked on you with compassion. And I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my master, for he is the anointed one of Yahweh.’ 11 And see, my father, even see the edge of your robe in my hand! For when I cut off the edge of your robe I did not slay you. Know and see that there is no evil or transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, and you are lying in wait to take my life. 12 May Yahweh judge between you and me, and may Yahweh avenge me against you, but my hand will not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘From the wicked ones goes out wickedness.’ But my hand will not be against you. 14 After whom does the king of Israel come out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? After one flea? 15 And may Yahweh become judge and judge between me and you. And may he see and argue my case and judge me out of your hand.”

16 And it happened as soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I. For you did good to me, but I did evil to you. 18 And you have declared today that you have done good with me, that Yahweh delivered me into your hand but you did not slay me. 19 And if a man finds his enemy, will he send him away on the good way? And may Yahweh reward you with good in return for what you have done for me this day. 20 And now, behold, I know that you will surely reign and the kingdom of Israel will rise in your hand. 21 And now, swear to me by Yahweh, 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 David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up on the stronghold.

Verses 1 to 22 in modern versions are verses 2 to 23 in the Hebrew text.

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