023:029 David went up from there, and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi. 024:001 It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi. 024:002 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. 024:003 He came to the sheep pens by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. 024:004 The men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe secretly. 024:005 It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. 024:006 He said to his men, Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed. 024:007 So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 024:008 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. 024:009 David said to Saul, Why listen you to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt? 024:010 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you; but [my eye] spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh's anointed. 024:011 Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it. 024:012 Yahweh judge between me and you, and Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you. 024:013 As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you. 024:014 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. 024:015 Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand. 024:016 It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.