10. This day you have seen with your own eyes that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave. So that some said to kill you, but my eye had compassion on you. And I said, ‘I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is anointed of the Lord.’
11. See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand. Indeed, I cut off the corner of your robe, but I did not kill you. Observe and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hand. I have not sinned against you, but you are lying in wait for my life to take it.
12. The Lord will judge between me and you, and the Lord will avenge me on you, but my hand will not be against you.
13. As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness,’ but my hand will not be against you.
14. “After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? A single flea?
15. May the Lord be judge, and decide between me and you. And may He see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.”
16. When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17. And he said to David, “You are more righteous than I. For you have rewarded me with good, while I have rewarded you with evil.
18. And you have shown today that you have dealt well with me, when the Lord delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me.
19. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him safely go away? Therefore may the Lord reward you well for what you have done for me this day.
20. Now, listen, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21. Therefore swear to me now by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name out of my father’s household.”
22. So David swore to Saul and Saul went home. But David and his men went up to the stronghold.