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Then David went out after him and called to him, "Your Majesty!" Saul turned around, and David bowed down to the ground in respect
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and said, "Why do you listen to people who say that I am trying to harm you?
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You can see for yourself that just now in the cave the Lord put you in my power. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I felt sorry for you and said that I would not harm you in the least, because you are the one whom the Lord chose to be king.
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Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.
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May the Lord judge which one of us is wrong! May he punish you for your action against me, for I will not harm you in the least.
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You know the old saying, "Evil is done only by evil people.' And so I will not harm you.
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Look at what the king of Israel is trying to kill! Look at what he is chasing! A dead dog, a flea!
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The Lord will judge, and he will decide which one of us is wrong. May he look into the matter, defend me, and save me from you."
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When David had finished speaking, Saul said, "Is that really you, David my son?" And he started crying.
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Then he said to David, "You are right, and I am wrong. You have been so good to me, while I have done such wrong to you!
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Today you have shown how good you are to me, because you did not kill me, even though the Lord put me in your power.