5. Later David felt guilty because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
6. He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me from doing such a thing to my master! Saul is the Lord’s appointed king. I should not do anything against him, because he is the Lord’s appointed king!”
7. David used these words to stop his men; he did not let them attack Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went his way.
8. When David came out of the cave, he shouted to Saul, “My master and king!” Saul looked back, and David bowed facedown on the ground.
9. He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when people say, ‘David wants to harm you’?
10. You have seen something with your own eyes today. The Lord put you in my power in the cave. They said I should kill you, but I was merciful. I said, ‘I won’t harm my master, because he is the Lord’s appointed king.’
11. My father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe, but I didn’t kill you. Now understand and know I am not planning any evil against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me to kill me.
12. May the Lord judge between us, and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me! But I am not against you.
13. There is an old saying: ‘Evil things come from evil people.’ But I am not against you.
14. Whom is the king of Israel coming out against? Whom are you chasing? It’s as if you are chasing a dead dog or a flea.
15. May the Lord be our judge and decide between you and me. May he support me and show that I am right. May he save me from you!”
16. When David finished saying these words, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he cried loudly.
17. He said, “You are a better man than I am. You have been good to me, but I have done wrong to you.
18. You told me what good things you did. The Lord handed me over to you, but you did not kill me.