24 After Sha’ul returned from repelling the Philistines, they told him that David was now in the Eyn-Gedi wilderness. 2 So Sha’ul chose three thousand Israeli warriors and went searching for David and his men at Wild Goats Rocks. 3 On the way, as they reached the sheep yards, Sha’ul went into a cave to relieve himself, but David and his men were hiding there further inside the cave.[ref] 4 David’s men whispered to him, “Wow, today what Yahweh told you is coming true when he said, ‘Listen, I’m about to give victory over your enemy, and you will do to him whatever you think is right.’ ” Then David sneaked up and quietly cut a piece off the edge of Sha’ul’s robe. 5 Afterwards however, David felt bad because he’d cut a piece off Sha’ul’s clothes 6 and he said to his men, “By Yahweh, I shouldn’t have done that to my master—to Yahweh’s anointed king—to do him harm because he’s the one Yahweh anointed.”[ref] 7 He restrained his men with a few quiet words and wouldn’t allow them to attack Sha’ul.

Then Sha’ul left the cave and headed down the path. 8 After waiting a few moment, David went out of the cave and called out behind Sha’ul, “My master the king.” When Sha’ul turned and looked behind him, David bowed 9 and said, “Why do you listen to people when they say that I’m wanting to harm you? 10 Look, you can see for yourself that Yahweh gave me the opportunity to harm you today in the cave, and some of my men wanted me to kill you, but I showed you compassion and told them that I wouldn’t do harm to my master, because he’s Yahweh’s chosen king. 11 Your majesty, look of this piece of your robe that I’m holding, because when I cut it off, I didn’t kill you. So now you can see for yourself that I have no evil plans, and I haven’t do you any wrong, even though you’re ambushing me so you can kill me. 12 May Yahweh judge between you and me because I’ll let Yahweh repay you for any harm against me—it won’t be me who works against you. 13 As the ancient proverb says, ‘Evil things are done by evil people.’ But it won’t be me who harms you. 14 Who has Israel’s king come to find? Who are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea?[ref] 15 May Yahweh take his judgement seat and judge between me and you, and may he see my case and find me innocent and save me from you.”

16 When David finished saying that to Sha’ul, Sha’ul called back, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Then he cried loudly 17 and told David, “You’re more righteous than I am, because you were good to me even when I did evil things to you. 18 You’ve stated that you’ve treated me well—how Yahweh gave you the advantage over me, yet you didn’t kill me. 19 Now if a man finds his enemy unprepared, does he just send him off happily? Well, may Yahweh reward you for your mercy towards me today. 20 Now listen, I know for certain that you’re going to become king and that the kingdom of Israel will prosper under your leadership. 21 Now promise me by Yahweh that you won’t destroy my name from my family line by killing my descendants.” 22 David promised that to Sha’ul, then Sha’ul went back home and David and his men returned to their stronghold.