¹⁸ And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong^(A) am I guilty of? ¹⁹ Now let my lord the king listen^(B) to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering.^(C) If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance^(D) and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’^{(E) 20} Now do not let my blood^(F) fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea^(G)—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.^(H)”

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have sinned.^(I) Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious^(J) today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”

²⁵ Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed,^(A) David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.”

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.