David Spares Saul 1 Brenton And it came to pass when Saul returned from pursuing after the Philistines, that it was reported to him, saying, David is in the wilderness of Engaddi. BSB BSB: After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
2 Brenton And he took with him three thousand men, chosen out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men in front of Saddæem. BSB BSB: So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3 Brenton And he came to the flocks of sheep that were by the way, and there was a cave there; and Saul went in to make preparation, and David and his men were sitting in the inner part of the cave. BSB BSB: Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
4 Brenton And the men of David said to him, Behold, this is the day of which the Lord spoke to thee, that he would deliver thine enemy into thy hands; and thou shalt do to him as it is good in thy sight. So David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's garment secretly. BSB BSB: So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Brenton And it came to pass after this that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off the skirt of his garment. BSB BSB: Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
6 Brenton And David said to his men, The Lord forbid it me, that I should do this thing to my lord the anointed of the Lord, to lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord. BSB BSB: So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
7 Brenton So David persuaded his men by his words, and did not suffer them to arise and slay Saul: and Saul arose and went his way. BSB BSB: With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
8 Brenton And David rose up and went after him out of the cave: and David cried after Saul, saying, My lord, O king! and Saul looked behind him, and David bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance to him. BSB BSB: After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence
9 Brenton And David said to Saul, Why dost thou hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks thy life? BSB BSB: and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
10 Brenton Behold, thine eyes have seen this day how that the Lord has delivered thee this day into my hands in the cave; and I would not slay thee, but spared thee, and said, I will not lift up my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed. BSB BSB: Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11 Brenton And behold, the skirt of thy mantle is in my hand, I cut off the skirt, and did not slay thee: know then and see to-day, there is no evil in my hand, nor impiety, nor rebellion; and I have not sinned against thee, yet thou layest snares for my soul to take it. BSB BSB: See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
12 Brenton The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord requite thee on thyself: but my hand shall not be upon thee. BSB BSB: May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
13 Brenton As the old proverb says, Transgression will proceed from the wicked ones: but my hand shall not be upon thee. BSB BSB: As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
14 Brenton And now after whom dost thou come forth, O king of Israel? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, and after a flea? BSB BSB: Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
15 Brenton The Lord be judge and umpire between me and thee, the Lord look upon and judge my cause, and rescue me out of thy hand. BSB BSB: May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
David’s Oath to Saul 16 Brenton And it came to pass when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, son David? and Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. BSB BSB: When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
17 Brenton And Saul said to David, Thou art more righteous than I, for thou hast recompensed me good, but I have recompensed thee evil. BSB BSB: and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
18 Brenton And thou hast told me to-day what good thou hast done me, how the Lord shut me up into thy hands to-day, and thou didst not slay me. BSB BSB: And you have declared this day how you have treated me well, for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
19 Brenton And if any one should find his enemy in distress, and should send him forth in a good way, then the Lord will reward him good, as thou hast done this day. BSB BSB: When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
20 Brenton And now, behold, I know that thou shalt surely reign, and the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thy hand. BSB BSB: Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
21 Brenton Now then swear to me by the Lord, that thou wilt not destroy my seed after me, that thou wilt not blot out my name from the house of my father. BSB BSB: So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”
22 Brenton So David swore to Saul: and Saul departed to his place, and David and his men went up to the strong-hold of Messera. BSB BSB: So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
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