This edition follows the Hebrew versification; the traditional number is given in brackets.
David Spares Saul’s Life in the Cave
1[23:29]David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of En-gedi. 2[24:1]When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Wilderness of En-gedi.” 3[24:2]So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men near the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 4[24:3]He came to the sheepfolds along the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were sitting far back in the cave. 5[24:4]David’s men said to him, “This is the day Yahweh spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will hand your enemy over to you, to do with him as you see fit.’” Then David got up and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, secretly. 6[24:5]Afterward, David’s conscience troubled him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 7[24:6]He said to his men, “Yahweh forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord, Yahweh’s anointed, to raise my hand against him — for he is Yahweh’s anointed.” 8[24:7]With these words David restrained his men and would not let them attack Saul. And Saul got up, left the cave, and went on his way. 9[24:8]Then David also got up, went out of the cave, and called out after Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down, face to the ground, and prostrated himself. 10[24:9]David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is out to harm you’? 11[24:10]This very day you have seen with your own eyes how Yahweh handed you over to me today in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord, for he is Yahweh’s anointed.’ 12[24:11]Look, my father — look at the corner of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Know for certain that there is no wrong or rebellion in my hand — I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me down to take my life. 13[24:12]May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me against you — but my hand will not touch you. 14[24:13]As the old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness’ — so my hand will not touch you. 15[24:14]Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea?
Saul Acknowledges David’s Innocence
16[24:15]May Yahweh be judge and decide between me and you. May he see and take up my cause, and deliver me from your hand.” 17[24:16]When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And Saul wept aloud. 18[24:17]He said to David, “You are more righteous than I. You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly. 19[24:18]You have shown today how well you treated me — Yahweh handed me over to you, yet you did not kill me. 20[24:19]When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May Yahweh reward you well for what you have done for me today. 21[24:20]Now I know for certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. 22[24:21]Now then, swear to me by Yahweh that you will not wipe out my descendants after me, or destroy my name from my father’s house.” 23[24:22]David swore this to Saul, and Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
