| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” | 1When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness near En-gedi." |
| 2So 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. | 2So Saul took 3,000 of Israel's choice men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. |
| 3Soon 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. | 3When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the back of the cave, |
| 4So 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 secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. | 4so they said to him, "Look, this is the day the LORD told you about: 'I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.'" Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe. |
| 5Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. | 5Afterward, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe. |
| 6So 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.” | 6He said to his men, "I swear before the LORD: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed." |
| 7With 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. | 7With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. |
| 8After 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 | 8After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed to the ground in homage. |
| 9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? | 9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of people who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you? |
| 10Behold, 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.’ | 10You can see with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won't lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD's anointed. |
| 11See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know 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. | 11See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven't sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life. |
| 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. | 12"May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you. |
| 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. | 13As the old proverb says, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' My hand will never be against you. |
| 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? | 14Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea? |
| 15May 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.” | 15May the LORD be judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from you." |
| 16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud | 16When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul wept aloud |
| 17and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. | 17and said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you. |
| 18And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. | 18You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me. |
| 19When 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. | 19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD repay you with good for what you've done for me today. |
| 20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. | 20"Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. |
| 21So 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.” | 21Therefore swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family." |
| 22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. | 22So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold. |
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