Jubilee Bible 2000 JUB
New International Version NIV
1 And it came to pass when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David <em>is</em> in the wilderness of Engedi.
1
After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.”
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
2
So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 And he came to a flock of sheep by the way where there was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
3
He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.
4 Then the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thy enemy into thy hand that thou may do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose and silently cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe.
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The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 And it came to pass afterward that David’s heart smote him because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
5
Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.
6 And he said unto his men, The LORD keep me from doing this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he <em>is</em> the anointed of the LORD.
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He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.”
7 So David stayed his servants with these words and did not allow them to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on <em>his</em> way.
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With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 David also arose afterward and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth and worshipped.
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Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.
9 And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeks thy hurt?
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He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee today into my hand in the cave, and <em>some</em> bade <em>me</em> kill thee, but I forgave thee, and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he <em>is</em> the LORD’s anointed.
10
This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’
11 Moreover, my father, see; see the skirt of thy robe is even in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and did not kill thee, know thou and see that <em>there is</em> neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou doest hunt my life to take it.
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See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.
12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee, but my hand shall not be upon thee.
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May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked, but my hand shall not be upon thee.
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As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog? After a flea?
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“Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?
15 The LORD, therefore, shall judge, and he shall judge between me and thee. Let him see and plead my cause, and defend me from thy hand.
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May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
16 And it came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, <em>Is</em> this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
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When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud.
17 And he said to David, Thou <em>art</em> more righteous than I, for thou hast repaid me with good, whereas I have repaid thee with evil.
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“You are more righteous than I,” he said. “You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.
18 And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me; forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thy hand, thou didst not kill me.
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You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe and sound? The LORD reward thee with good for that which thou hast done unto me this day.
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When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.
20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be firm and stable in thy hand.
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I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
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Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.”
22 Then David swore unto Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up unto the fortress.
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So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.