1 Samuel 24

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi."	1 David then went up from there and stayed in the refuges behind Engedi.
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks.	2 And when Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert near Engedi.
3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.	3 So Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags.
4 And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off the skirt of Saul's robe.	4 When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to ease nature. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.
5 And afterward David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.	5 David's servants said to him, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'I will deliver your enemy into your grasp; do with him as you see fit.'" So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
6 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed."	6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
7 So David persuaded his men with these words, and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave, and went upon his way.	7 He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, as to lay a hand on him, for he is the Lord's anointed."
8 Afterward David also arose, and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.	8 With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
9 And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Behold, David seeks your hurt?	9 David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage
10 Lo, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave; and some bade me kill you, but I spared you. I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.'	10 and asked Saul: "Why do you listen to those who say, 'David is trying to harm you'?
11 See, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for by the fact that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.	11 You see for yourself today that the LORD just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, 'I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the LORD'S anointed and a father to me.'
12 May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me upon you; but my hand shall not be against you.	12 Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life.
13 As the proverb of the ancients says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness'; but my hand shall not be against you.	13 The LORD will judge between me and you, and the LORD will exact justice from you in my case. I shall not touch you.
14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!	14 The old proverb says, 'From the wicked comes forth wickedness.' So I will take no action against you.
15 May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see to it, and plead my cause, and deliver me from your hand."	15 Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!
16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.	16 The LORD will be the judge; he will decide between me and you. May he see this, and take my part, and grant me justice beyond your reach!"
17 He said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.	17 When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, "Is that your voice, my son David?" And he wept aloud.
18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.	18 Saul then said to David: "You are in the right rather than I; you have treated me generously, while I have done you harm.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.	19 Great is the generosity you showed me today, when the LORD delivered me into your grasp and you did not kill me.
20 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.	20 For if a man meets his enemy, does he send him away unharmed? May the LORD reward you generously for what you have done this day.
21 Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house."	21 And now, since I know that you shall surely be king and that sovereignty over Israel shall come into your possession,
22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.	22 swear to me by the LORD that you will not destroy my descendants and that you will not blot out my name and family."
	23 David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the refuge.