17. Saul knew David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David answered, “Yes, it is my voice, my lord the king.
18. Sir, why are you chasing me? What wrong have I done? What am I guilty of?
19. My lord the king, listen to me. If the Lord caused you to be angry with me, let him accept an offering. But if men caused you to be angry with me, I ask the Lord to curse them because they forced me to leave the land that the Lord gave me and told me to go serve other gods.
20. Now don’t make me die far away from the Lord’S presence. The king of Israel has come out looking for a flea. You are like a man hunting partridges in the mountains.”
21. Then Saul said, “David, my son! I have sinned. Come back. Today you showed me that my life is important to you, so I won’t try to hurt you. I have acted foolishly. I have made a big mistake.”
22. David answered, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of your young men come here and get it.
23. The Lord pays every man for what he does—he rewards him if he does right, and he punishes him if he does wrong. The Lord gave you to me today, but I wouldn’t harm the Lord’S chosen king.