⁸ Afterward David also rose up and went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and did obeisance.^{(A) 9} David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘David seeks to do you harm’? ¹⁰ This very day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave, and some urged me to kill you, but I spared^[a] you. I said, ‘I will not raise my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ ¹¹ See, my father, see the corner of your cloak in my hand, for by the fact that I cut off the corner of your cloak and did not kill you, you may know for certain that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you are hunting me to take my life.^{(B) 12} May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you.^{(C) 13} As the ancient proverb says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be against you.^{(D) 14} Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea?^{(E) 15} May the Lord, therefore, be judge and give sentence between me and you. May he see to it and plead my cause and vindicate me against you.”^(F)

¹⁶ When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Saul lifted up his voice and wept.^{(G) 17} He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.^{(H) 18} Today you have explained how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands.^{(I) 19} For who has ever found an enemy and sent the enemy safely away? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. ²⁰ Now I know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.^{(J) 21} Swear to me, therefore, by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not wipe out my name from my father’s house.”^{(K) 22} So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.^(L)