Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. (A)And some told me to kill you, but I spared you.[a] I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, (B)for he is the Lord's anointed.’ 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that (C)there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though (D)you hunt my life to take it. 12 (E)May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness.’ But my hand shall not be against you. 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? (F)After a dead dog! (G)After a flea! 15 (H)May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and (I)plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 24:10 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew it [my eye] spared you

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.(A) He said to Saul, “Why do you listen(B) when men say, ‘David is bent on harming(C) 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(D) 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(E) 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(F) of wrongdoing(G) or rebellion. I have not wronged(H) you, but you are hunting(I) me down to take my life.(J) 12 May the Lord judge(K) between you and me. And may the Lord avenge(L) 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,(M)’ so my hand will not touch you.

14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog?(N) A flea?(O) 15 May the Lord be our judge(P) and decide(Q) between us. May he consider my cause and uphold(R) it; may he vindicate(S) me by delivering(T) me from your hand.”

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