1It came about that when Saul had returned from after the Philistine, they told him, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi."2Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the face of the Rocks of the Wildgoats.3He came to the walls of the flock that were beside the way, and there was a cave there; Saul went in to cover his feet, while David and his men were dwelling in the flank of the cave.4The men of David said to him, "Behold, this is the day of which the LORD spoke to you: Behold, I am giving your enemy into your hand, and you may do to him whatever seems good in your eyes." So David arose and secretly cut off the wing of Saul's robe.5Afterward David's heart struck him because he had cut off the wing that belonged to Saul.6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, by stretching out my hand against him, for he is the LORD's anointed."7David restrained his men with these words and would not permit them to rise against Saul. Saul then left the cave and went on his way.8David also arose afterward, came out of the cave, and called after Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" Saul looked behind him, and David bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?"10Behold, this day your own eyes have seen that the LORD gave you into my hand in the cave; some urged me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, "I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed."11Moreover, my father, see and behold the wing of your robe in my hand; for when I cut off the wing of your robe I did not kill you. Know and see that there is nothing evil or rebellious in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait to take my life.12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.13As the eastern proverb says, "Out of the wicked comes wickedness," yet my hand shall not be against you.14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After a single flea?15May the LORD therefore be judge and decide between me and you; may he see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.16When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good while I have repaid you evil."18You have shown this day how you dealt well with me, when the LORD delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me.19If a man finds his enemy, will he send him safely on his way? May the LORD therefore repay you with good for what you have done to me this day.20And now I know that you will surely become king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.21Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house.22So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.