1 Samuel 24
Reina Valera Contemporánea
David perdona la vida a Saúl en Engadí
24 Cuando Saúl volvió de luchar contra los filisteos, le dijeron que David se encontraba en el desierto de Engadí. 2 Entonces tomó a tres mil de sus mejores soldados y se fue tras David y sus hombres. Subió por los peñascos de las cabras monteses, 3 y cuando llegó a un redil de ovejas, donde había una cueva, se metió allí para cubrirse los pies; ¡y David y sus hombres estaban escondidos en un rincón!(A) 4 Entonces le dijeron a David:
«Este día el Señor cumple su promesa, cuando te dijo: “Tu enemigo está en tus manos. Haz con él lo que te parezca mejor.”»
Enseguida, David se levantó y sigilosamente cortó el borde del manto de Saúl. 5 Después de haber cortado el manto del rey, David se sintió muy mal 6 y les dijo a sus hombres:
«Que el Señor me libre de hacerle daño a mi señor. ¡Él es el ungido del Señor! ¡No puedo extender mi mano contra él!»
7 Con estas palabras David reprendió a sus hombres, y no les permitió hacerle ningún daño al rey. Y cuando Saúl salió de la cueva, siguió su camino. 8 Pero David salió detrás del rey y, una vez afuera, gritó de manera que Saúl lo oyera:
«¡Mi señor y rey!»
Saúl volvió la mirada y vio que David, de rodillas y con el rostro inclinado en actitud de reverencia, 9 le decía:
«¿Por qué te dejas guiar por quienes te dicen que yo te busco para hacerte daño? 10 Comprueba por ti mismo que el Señor te puso hoy en mis manos, allí dentro de la cueva. Mis hombres me insistían que te matara, pero yo te perdoné, pues me dije: “No puedo hacerle ningún mal a mi señor, porque Dios lo consagró como rey.” 11 Mira, padre mío: aquí en mi mano tengo el borde de tu manto. Yo lo corté, y no te maté. Date cuenta que nunca te he traicionado, y tampoco te he hecho ningún mal; sin embargo, tú me andas persiguiendo con la intención de matarme. 12 Que el Señor nos juzgue a los dos, y que él me vengue de ti, pero yo nunca levantaré mis manos contra ti. 13 Recuerda el antiguo proverbio: “De los malvados proviene la maldad”. Así que yo nunca levantaré mi mano contra ti. 14 ¿A quién anda persiguiendo el rey de Israel? ¿A quién busca? ¿A un perro muerto? ¿A una pulga? 15 ¡Que el Señor sea el juez que nos juzgue a los dos! ¡Que vea él mi causa y la defienda, y me defienda de ti!»
16 Cuando David terminó de hablar, Saúl dijo:
«¿Acaso no eres tú quien habla, David, hijo mío?»
Y en ese momento Saúl lloró, 17 y enseguida dijo:
«Tú has actuado con más justicia que yo, porque me has tratado con bondad, mientras que yo te he tratado mal. 18 Hoy me has demostrado que eres un hombre bueno, porque el Señor me puso en tus manos y no me mataste. 19 ¿Quién, pudiendo matar a su enemigo, lo deja ir sano y salvo? ¡Que el Señor te bendiga por lo que hoy hiciste conmigo! 20 Yo entiendo que tú vas a ser rey de Israel, y que bajo tu mando el reino de Israel será firme y estable. 21 Júrame, entonces, delante del Señor, que no eliminarás a mis descendientes ni borrarás el nombre de mi familia.»
22 Y David se lo juró a Saúl. Entonces Saúl regresó a su casa, y David y sus hombres se fueron a la fortaleza.
1 Samuel 24
King James Version
24 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
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.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15 The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
1 Samuel 24
New International Version
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.(A)” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look(B) for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave(C) was there, and Saul went in to relieve(D) himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke(E) of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’”(F) Then David crept up unnoticed and cut(G) off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken(H) 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,(I) 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.(J) 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen(K) when men say, ‘David is bent on harming(L) 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(M) 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(N) 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(O) of wrongdoing(P) or rebellion. I have not wronged(Q) you, but you are hunting(R) me down to take my life.(S) 12 May the Lord judge(T) between you and me. And may the Lord avenge(U) 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,(V)’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog?(W) A flea?(X) 15 May the Lord be our judge(Y) and decide(Z) between us. May he consider my cause and uphold(AA) it; may he vindicate(AB) me by delivering(AC) me from your hand.”
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice,(AD) David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,”(AE) he said. “You have treated me well,(AF) but I have treated you badly.(AG) 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered(AH) me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward(AI) you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king(AJ) and that the kingdom(AK) of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear(AL) to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.(AM)”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.(AN)
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 24:1 In Hebrew texts 24:1-22 is numbered 24:2-23.
- 1 Samuel 24:4 Or “Today the Lord is saying
1 Samuel 24
English Standard Version
David Spares Saul's Life
24 [a] (A)When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2 Then Saul took (B)three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. 3 And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in (C)to relieve himself.[b] Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts (D)of the cave. 4 And the men of David said to him, (E)“Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 5 And afterward (F)David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 6 He said to his men, (G)“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is (H)the Lord's anointed.” 7 So David persuaded his men with these words (I)and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.
8 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. 9 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. (J)And some told me to kill you, but I spared you.[c] I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, (K)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 (L)there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though (M)you hunt my life to take it. 12 (N)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? (O)After a dead dog! (P)After a flea! 15 (Q)May the Lord therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and (R)plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
16 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, (S)“Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I, (T)for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now, behold, (U)I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21 (V)Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and (W)that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.” 22 And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up (X)to the stronghold.
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 24:1 Ch 24:2 in Hebrew
- 1 Samuel 24:3 Hebrew cover his feet
- 1 Samuel 24:10 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew it [my eye] spared you
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