1Sa 24 | EngLXX | STEP | And David rose up from thence, and lived in the narrow passes of Engaddi.

‏ 1 Samuel 24

1 And David rose up from thence, and lived in the narrow passes of Engaddi. 2 And it came to pass when Saul returned from pursuing after the Philistines, that it wasreported to him, saying, Davidis in the wilderness of Engaddi. 3 And he took with him three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek Davidand his men in front of Saddaeem. 4 And he came to the flocks of sheep that were by the way, and there was a cave there; andSaul went in to make preparation, and David and his men were sitting in the inner part of the cave. 5 And the men of David said to him, Behold, thisis the day of which the Lord spoke to you, that he would deliver your enemy into your hands;and you shall do to him asit is good in your sight. So David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's garment secretly. 6 And it came to pass after this that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off theskirt of his garment. 7 And David said to his men, The Lord forbid it me, that I should do this ting to my lordthe anointed of the Lord, to lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord. 8 So David persuaded his men byhis words, and did not suffer them to arise and kill Saul: and Saul arose and went his way. 9 And David rose upand went after him out of the cave: and David cried after Saul, saying,My lord,O king! and Saul looked behind him, and David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisanceto him. 10 And David said to Saul, Why do you hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold,David seeks your life? 11 Behold, your eyes have seen this day how that the Lord has delivered you this day intomy hands in the cave; and I would not kill you, but spared you, and said, I will not lift up my hand againstmy lord, for he is the Lord's anointed. 12 And behold, the skirt of your mantleis in my hand, I cut off the skirt, and did not kill you: know then and see today, there isno evil in my hand, nor impiety, nor rebellion; and I have not sinned against you, yet you lay snaresfor my soul to take it. 13 The Lord judge between me and you, and the Lord requite you on yourself: but my handshall not be upon you. 14 As the old proverb says, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my handshall not be upon you. 15 And now after whom do you come forth, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? Aftera dead dog, and after a flea? 16 The Lord be judge and umpire between me and you, the Lord look upon and judge my cause,and rescue me out of your hand. 17 And it came to pass when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said,Is this your voice, Son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 18 And Saul said to David, Youare more righteous that I, for you have recompensed me good, but I have recompensed you evil. 19 And you have told me today what good you have done me, how the Lord shut me up into yourhands today, and you did not kill me. 20 And if any one should find his enemy in distress, and should send him forth in a goodway, then the Lord will reward him good, as you has done this day. 21 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shallbe established in your hand. 22 Now then swear to me by the Lord, that you will not destroy my seed after me, that youwill not blot out my name from the house of my father. So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went upto the strong-hold of Messera.