ABP - I Samuel - 24

24:1  And it came to pass as Saul returned from going after the Philistines, that they reported to him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.

24:2  And he took with himself three thousand [2men 1chosen] from out of all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men by the face of the trap of the hinds.

24:3  And he came unto the herds of the flocks of the ones upon the way. And [2was 3there 1a cave], and Saul entered to make preparation. And David and his men were in the cave inside sitting down in it.

24:4  And [4said 1the 2men 3of David] to him, Behold, [2the 3day 1this is] which the lord spoke to you, Behold, I give your enemy into your hands; and you shall do to him as is good in your eyes. And David rose up and removed the border of the doubled garment of Saul clandestinely.

24:5  And it came to pass after these things, that [2struck 1David's heart] him, for he removed the border of his double garment.

24:6  And David said to his men, By no means be it to me from the lord if I should do this thing to my master, to the anointed one of the lord, to bear my hand against him, for [3the anointed one 4of the lord 1this 2is].

24:7  And David persuaded his men by words, and he did not give in to them to rise up and to put Saul to death. And Saul rose up and went forth into the way from the cave.

24:8  And David rose up after him from out of the cave. And David yelled after Saul, saying, O Master, O king. And Saul looked up to his rear. And David bowed upon his face unto the ground, and he did obeisance to him.

24:9  And David said to Saul, Why do you hearken to the words of the people, saying, Behold, David seeks your life?

24:10  Behold, in this day [2have seen 1your eyes] how [2delivered 3you 1the lord] today into my hands in the cave, and I did not want to kill you, and I spared you. And I said, I will not bear my hand against my master, for [3the anointed one 4of the lord 1this one 2is].

24:11  And, O my father, even behold, the border of your doubled garment in my hand. I removed the border of your doubled garment, and I did not kill you. And know and behold today! that there is no evil in my hand, nor annulment, nor impiety, and I have not sinned against you. But you bind my life to take it.

24:12  May the lord judge between me and you, and may [2render justice 3to me 1the lord] because of you. But my hand will not be against you.

24:13  As [4says 3parable 1the 2ancient], [3from 4the lawless 2shall come forth 1Trespass]. But my hand will not be against you.

24:14  And now, after whom do you go forth, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dog having died, or after [2flea 1one]?

24:15  May the lord be for a judge and magistrate between me and you. Yes, may the lord behold, and may he judge my case, and may he adjudicate for me from out of your hand.

24:16  And it came to pass, as David completed speaking these things to Saul, that Saul said, Is [2voice 1this your], son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.

24:17  And he said to David, You are righteous over me, for you recompensed to me good things, but I recompensed to you evils.

24:18  And you have reported today what [2you did 3to me 1good things], as how [2locked 3me 1the lord] into your hands today, and you did not kill me.

24:19  And that if anyone may find his enemy in affliction, and shall send him forth in [2way 1a good], even the lord will recompense to him good things, as you have done today.

24:20  And now, behold, I know that in reigning you shall reign, and [4shall be established 1the 2kingdom 3of Israel] in your hand.

24:21  And now swear by an oath to me according to the lord, that you should not utterly destroy my seed after me, and you should not obliterate my name from the house of my father.

24:22  And David swore by an oath to Saul. And Saul went forth unto his house. And David and his men ascended unto Messara the narrows.