18
And he said, Why does my lord thus pursue after his slave? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19
Now, therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his slave. If the LORD has stirred thee up against me, let him smell
the fragrance of an offering, but if
they were the sons of men,
let them
be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from joining myself to the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20
Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD, for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.
21
Then Saul said, I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will do no more harm unto thee because my life was precious in thine eyes today. Behold, I have played the fool and have erred exceedingly.
22
And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! Let one of the servants come over and take it.
23
The LORD render to each one his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD delivered thee into
my hand today, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
24
And, behold, as thy life has been esteemed today in my eyes, so let my life be esteemed in the eyes of the LORD and let him deliver me out of all affliction.
25
Then Saul said to David, Blessed
art thou, my son David; without a doubt thou shalt do great
things and prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.