1 Samuel 24:1-7

New International Version - UK

David spares Saul’s life

24 ^[a]After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, ‘David is in the Desert of En Gedi.’ ² So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

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

⁵ Afterwards, David was conscience-stricken 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, 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.