5
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6
And he said to his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.
7
So David restrained his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose out of the cave, and went on [his] way.
8
David also rose 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 bowed himself.
9
And David said to Saul, Why hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10
Behold, this day thy eyes have seen how the LORD hath delivered thee to-day into my hand in the cave; and [some] bade [me] kill thee: but [my eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD'S anointed.
11
Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that [there is] neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
12
The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but my hand shall not be upon thee.
13
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but my hand shall not be upon thee.
14
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?
15
The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thy hand.