¹⁸ And he added, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What guilt is on my hands?^(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.^{(A) 12} May the Lord judge between me and you! May the Lord avenge me on you, but my hand shall not be against you.^{(B) 13} As the ancient proverb says, ‘Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be against you.^{(C) 14} Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea?^{(D) 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.”^(E)

²⁵ It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’^(A)

²³ As Jehudi read three or four columns, he would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. ²⁴ Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments.^{(A) 25} Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.^(B)