1 Samuel 24:3-8

New International Version

³ He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave^(A) was there, and Saul went in to relieve^(B) himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. ⁴ The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke^(C) of when he said^[a] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’”^(D) Then David crept up unnoticed and cut^(E) off a corner of Saul’s robe.

⁵ Afterward, David was conscience-stricken^(F) 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,^(G) 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.^(H)