9. and said, “Why do you listen to people who say that I am trying to harm you?
10. You can see for yourself that just now in the cave the Lord put you in my power. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I felt sorry for you and said that I would not harm you in the least, because you are the one whom the Lord chose to be king.
11. Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.
12. May the Lord judge which one of us is wrong! May he punish you for your action against me, for I will not harm you in the least.
13. You know the old saying, ‘Evil is done only by evil people.’ And so I will not harm you.
14. Look at what the king of Israel is trying to kill! Look at what he is chasing! A dead dog, a flea!
15. The Lord will judge, and he will decide which one of us is wrong. May he look into the matter, defend me, and save me from you.”
16. When David had finished speaking, Saul said, “Is that really you, David my son?” And he started crying.
17. Then he said to David, “You are right, and I am wrong. You have been so good to me, while I have done such wrong to you!
18. Today you have shown how good you are to me, because you did not kill me, even though the Lord put me in your power.
19. How often does a man catch his enemy and then let him get away unharmed? The Lord bless you for what you have done to me today!
20. Now I am sure that you will be king of Israel and that the kingdom will continue under your rule.
21. But promise me in the Lord's name that you will spare my descendants, so that my name and my family's name will not be completely forgotten.”