And it came to pass, whenSaulwas returnedfrom followingthe Philistines, that it was toldhim, saying, Behold, David is in the wildernessof En-gedi. Then Saultookthreethousandchosenmenout of allIsrael, and wentto seekDavidand his menuponthe rocksof the wild goats. And he cametothe sheepcotesbythe way, where was a cave; and Saulwent into coverhis feet: and Davidand his menremainedin the sidesof the cave. And the menof Davidsaiduntohim, Beholdthe dayof whichthe LORDsaiduntothee, Behold, Iwill deliverthine enemyinto thine hand, that thou mayest doto him asit shall seem goodunto thee. Then Davidarose, and cut offthe skirtof Saul's robeprivily. And it came to passafterward, that David's heartsmotehim, becausehe had cut offSaul's skirt. And he saidunto his men, The LORDforbidthatI should dothisthingunto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forthmine handagainst him, seeinghe is the anointedof the LORD. So Davidstayedhis servantswith these words, and sufferedthem notto riseagainstSaul. But Saulrose upout of the cave, and wenton his way. Davidalso aroseafterward, and went outofthe cave, and criedafterSaul, saying, My lordthe king. And when Saullookedbehindhim, Davidstoopedwith his faceto the earth, and bowed himself. And Davidsaidto Saul, Whereforehearestthou men's words, saying, Behold, Davidseekeththy hurt? Behold, thisdaythine eyeshave seenhowthat the LORDhad deliveredthee todayinto mine handin the cave: and some bade me killthee: but mine eye sparedthee; and I said, I will notput forthmine handagainst my lord; forhe is the LORD's anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, seethe skirtof thy robein my hand: forin that I cut offthe skirtof thy robe, and killedthee not, knowthou and seethat there is neitherevilnor transgressionin mine hand, and I have notsinnedagainst thee; yet thouhuntestmy soulto takeit. The LORDjudgebetweenme and thee, and the LORDavengeme ofthee: but mine handshall notbeupon thee. Assaiththe proverbof the ancients, Wickednessproceedethfrom the wicked: but mine handshall notbeupon thee. Afterwhomis the kingof Israelcome out? afterwhomdost thoupursue? aftera deaddog, afteraflea. The LORDtherefore bejudge, and judgebetweenme and thee, and see, and pleadmy cause, and deliverme out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when Davidhad made an endof speakingthesewordsuntoSaul, that Saulsaid, Is thisthy voice, my sonDavid? And Saullifted uphis voice, and wept. And he saidtoDavid, Thou art more righteousthanI: forthouhast rewardedme good, whereas Ihave rewardedthee evil. And thouhast showedthis dayhow thatthou hast dealtwellwithme: forasmuch as whenthe LORDhad deliveredme into thine hand, thou killedstme not. For ifa manfindhis enemy, will he let him gowellaway? wherefore the LORDrewardthee goodforthatthou hast doneunto me thisday. And now, behold, I know wellthatthou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdomof Israelshall be establishedin thine hand. Swearnowtherefore unto me by the LORD, thatthou wilt not cut offmy seedafterme, and thatthou wilt not destroymy nameout of my father's house. And Davidsworeunto Saul. And Saulwenthome; but Davidand his mengot them upuntothe hold.