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1 Samuel 24:2-13
New International Version
1 Samuel 24:2-13
New International Version
2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look(A) for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave(B) was there, and Saul went in to relieve(C) himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke(D) of when he said[a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’”(E) Then David crept up unnoticed and cut(F) off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken(G) for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed,(H) or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.(I) 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen(J) when men say, ‘David is bent on harming(K) you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared(L) you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut(M) off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty(N) of wrongdoing(O) or rebellion. I have not wronged(P) you, but you are hunting(Q) me down to take my life.(R) 12 May the Lord judge(S) between you and me. And may the Lord avenge(T) the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,(U)’ so my hand will not touch you.
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 24:4 Or “Today the Lord is saying
1 Samuel 24:2-13
King James Version
1 Samuel 24:2-13
King James Version
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.
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.
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.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
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.
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.
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.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
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.
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.
12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
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