Chapter 24
1 After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
3 Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself.1 And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
- Literally cover his feet, a euphemism for relieving oneself
4 So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
5 Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
6 So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
7 With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
8 After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
9 and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
10 Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
12 May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
13 As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
David’s Oath to Saul
16 When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
17 and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
18 And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
20 Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
21 So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
BSB word tags
No sourced original-language text for this passage yet — showing BSB's own word tags instead.