AND it came to pass, when Sha'ul was returned from following the Pelishtiym, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Eyn Gediy.
Then Sha'ul took three thousand chosen men out of all Yashar'el, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Sha'ul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which Yahuah said unto you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it shall seem good unto you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Sha'ul's robe privily.
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Sha'ul's skirt.
And he said unto his men, Yahuah forbid that I should do this thing unto my adoniy, Yahuah's anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of Yahuah.
So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against El-Sha'ul. But Sha'ul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Sha'ul, saying, My adoniy the king. And when Sha'ul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
And David said to Sha'ul, Wherefore hear you men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?
Behold, this day your eyes have seen את how that Yahuah had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you: but my eye spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my adoniy; for he is Yahuah's anointed.
Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and killed you not, know you and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you hunt my soul to take it.
Yahuah judge between me and you, and Yahuah avenge me of you: but my hand shall not be upon you.
As says the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon you.
After whom is the king of Yashar'el come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
Yahuah therefore be judge, and judge between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto El-Sha'ul, that Sha'ul said, Is this your voice, my son David? And Sha'ul lifted up his voice, and wept.
And he said to El-David, You are more righteous than I: for you have rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded you evil.
And את you have showed this day את how that you have dealt well with me: forasmuch as when Yahuah had delivered me את into your hand, you killed me not.
For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore Yahuah reward you good for that you have done unto me this day.
And now, behold, I know well that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Yashar'el shall be established in your hand.
Swear now therefore unto me by Yahuah, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.
And David swore unto Sha'ul. And Sha'ul went home; but David and his men got them up unto the hold.