1. When Saul had returned from following the Philistines, it was reported to him, saying, “David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.”
2. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the rocks of the wild goats.
3. He came to the sheep pens by the way and a cave was there. And Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the rear of the cave.
4. The men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I am giving your enemy into your hand. You may do with him as seems good in your eyes.’ ” Then David arose and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
5. Afterward David’s heart troubled him because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
6. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him. For he is anointed of the Lord.”
7. So David dispersed his men by these words and did not let them rise against Saul. And Saul arose from the cave and went on his way.
8. David arose afterward and went out from the cave. And he called after Saul saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David had bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage.