4
The men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which the LORD 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 Sha'ul's robe secretly.
5
It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Sha'ul's skirt.
6
He said to his men, the LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed.
7
So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Sha'ul. Sha'ul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Sha'ul, saying, My lord the king. When Sha'ul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the eretz, and did obeisance.
9
David said to Sha'ul, Why listen you to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?
10
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that the LORD 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 the LORD's anointed.
11
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.
12
The LORD judge between me and you, and the LORD avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.
13
As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you.
14
After whom is the king of Yisra'el come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.