1And when Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” 2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went seeking David and his men among the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3And he came to the sheepcotes (pens) along the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet (a Biblical euphemism for ‘relieving himself’); and David and his men were hiding further back in that cave. 4And David’s men said, “Look, the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’” Then David arose stealthily, and cut off the corner of Saul's robe. 5Then, later, David felt remorse that he had cut a corner of Saul's robe. 6And he told his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my king, the LORD's anointed, to lay my hand upon him, since he is the anointed of the LORD.”

7So David restrained his men with these words, and would not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul got up and left the cave to go on his way. 8Then David also went out of the cave, and he shouted to Saul, “My lord, the king.” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, 9And he said to Saul, “Why do you believe men who say, ‘David seeks your hurt’? 10Today, you have seen how the LORD had delivered you into my hand in this cave; and some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my king; for he is the LORD's anointed.’ 11And look, my father, and see part of your robe in my hand; because I cut that off the edge of your robe, but I did not kill you. You should see and know by now that there is nothing to indicate that I am guilty of either evil nor transgression, and I have not harmed you; and still you hunt me to take my life. 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and the LORD avenge me of you; but I shall not lay my hand upon you. 13As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked’; but my hand shall not harm you. 14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After a flea? 15Therefore, the LORD, judge between you and me, and plead my cause, and rescue me from you.”

16And when David finished saying this, Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And Saul wept aloud. 17And he said, “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me good, while I have rewarded you with evil. 18And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; in that the LORD had delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me. 19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away? May the LORD reward you good for how you have treated me today. 20And now I know very well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hands. 21Swear now to me by the LORD, that you will not kill my descendants after me, and that you will not blot my name out of my father's family.” 22And so David gave his oath to Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.