1. And it came to pass when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
2. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3. And he came to a flock of sheep by the way where there was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4. Then the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thy enemy into thy hand that thou may do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose and silently cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe.
5. And it came to pass afterward that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
6. And he said unto his men, The Lord keep me from doing this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
7. So David stayed his servants with these words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way.
8. David also arose afterward and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth and worshipped.
9. And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?
10. Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee today into my hand in the cave, and some bade me kill thee, but I forgave thee, and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.
11. Moreover, my father, see; see the skirt of thy robe is even in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and did not kill thee, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou doest hunt my life to take it.