⁵ Afterward, David was conscience-stricken^(A) 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,^(B) or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.”

⁸ Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”

⁹ But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed^(A) and be guiltless?^{(B) 10} As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike^(C) him, or his time^(D) will come and he will die,^(E) or he will go into battle and perish.