1 Samuel 24

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, 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 upon the rocks of the wild goats.	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 sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides 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 unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, 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 skirt of Saul's robe privily.	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 it came to pass afterward, that 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 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.	6 Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul's mantle.
7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on 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 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.	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, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy 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 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD 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 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 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt 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.	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 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.	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 saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.	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 is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou 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 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.	15 Against whom are you on campaign, O king of Israel? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, or a single flea!
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy 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 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee 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 thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.	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 find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto 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 well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine 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 now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt 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 sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.	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.