1 Samuel 24:8-15

English Standard Version

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. ^(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.”