1. David then went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.
2. When Saul returned from the pursuit of the Philistines, he was told that David was in the desert near Engedi.
3. So Saul took three thousand of the best men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags.
4. When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.
5. David’s servants said to him, “This is the day about which the Lord said to you: I will deliver your enemy into your hand; do with him as you see fit.” So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul’s robe.
6. Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul’s robe.
7. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to lay a hand on him, for he is the Lord’s anointed.”
8. With these words David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.
9. David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed, his face to the ground in homage,
10. and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’?