1 \23:29\And from there, David went up and took cover in the safe place of En-gedi.

2 \24:1\Now when Saul came back from fighting the Philistines, news was given him that David was in the waste land of En-gedi.

3 \24:2\Then Saul took three thousand of the best men out of all Israel, and went in search of David and his men on the rocks of the mountain goats.

4 \24:3\And on the way he came to a place where sheep were kept, where there was a hollow in the rock; and Saul went in for a private purpose. Now David and his men were in the deepest part of the hollow.

5 \24:4\And David's men said to him, Now is the time when the Lord says to you, I will give up your hater into your hands to do with him whatever seems good to you. Then David, getting up, took the skirt of Saul's robe in his hand, cutting off the end of it without his knowledge.

6 \24:5\And later, David was full of regret for cutting off Saul's skirt.

7 \24:6\And David said to his men, Before the Lord, never let it be said that my hand was lifted up against my lord, the man of the Lord's selection, for the Lord's holy oil has been put on him.

8 \24:7\So with these words David kept his servants back, and did not let them make an attack on Saul. And Saul got up and went on his way.

9 \24:8\And after that David came out of the hollow rock, and crying after Saul said, My lord the king. And when Saul gave a look back, David went down on his face and gave him honour.

10 \24:9\And David said to Saul, Why do you give any attention to those who say that it is my desire to do you wrong?

11 \24:10\Look! you have seen today how the Lord gave you up into my hands even now in the hollow of the rocks: and some would have had me put you to death, but I had pity on you: for I said, Never will my hand be lifted up against my lord, who has been marked with the holy oil.

12 \24:11\And see, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand: for the fact that I took off the skirt of your robe and did not put you to death is witness that I have no evil purpose, and I have done you no wrong, though you are waiting for my life to take it.

13 \24:12\May the Lord be judge between me and you, and may the Lord give me my rights against you, but my hand will never be lifted up against you.

14 \24:13\There is an old saying, From the evil-doer comes evil: but my hand will never be lifted up against you.

15 \24:14\After whom has the king of Israel come out? for whom are you searching? for a dead dog, an insect.

16 \24:15\So let the Lord be judge, and give a decision between me and you, and see and give support to my cause, and keep me from falling into your hands.

17 \24:16\Now when David had said these words to Saul, Saul said, Is this your voice, David, my son? And Saul was overcome with weeping.

18 \24:17\And he said to David, You are right and I am wrong: for you have given me back good, but I have given you evil.

19 \24:18\And you have made clear to me how good you have been to me today: because, when the Lord gave me up into your hands, you did not put me to death.

20 \24:19\If a man comes across his hater, will he let him get away safe? so may you be rewarded by the Lord for what you have done for me today.

21 \24:20\And now I am certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be made strong under your authority.

22 \24:21\So give me your oath by the Lord, that you will not put an end to my seed after me or let my name be cut off from my father's family.

23 \24:22\And David gave Saul his oath. And Saul went back to his house; but David and his men went up to their safe place.

1 Y como Saúl volvió de los Filisteos, diéronle aviso diciendo: He aquí que David está en el desierto de Engaddi.

2 Y tomando Saúl tres mil hombres escogidos de todo Israel, fué en busca de David y de los suyos, por las cumbres de los peñascos de las cabras monteses.

3 Y como llegó á una majada de ovejas en el camino, donde había una cueva, entró Saúl en ella á cubrir sus pies: y David y los suyos estaban á los lados de la cueva.

4 Entonces los de David le dijeron: He aquí el día que te ha dicho Jehová: He aquí que entregó tu enemigo en tus manos, y harás con él como te pareciere. Y levantóse David, y calladamente cortó la orilla del manto de Saúl.

5 Después de lo cual el corazón de David le golpeaba, porque había cortado la orilla del manto de Saúl.

6 Y dijo á los suyos: Jehová me guarde de hacer tal cosa contra mi señor, el ungido de Jehová, que yo extienda mi mano contra él; porque es el ungido de Jehová.

7 Así quebrantó David á los suyos con palabras, y no les permitió que se levantasen contra Saúl. Y Saúl, saliendo de la cueva, fuése su camino.

8 También David se levantó después, y saliendo de la cueva dió voces á las espaldas de Saúl, diciendo: ­Mi señor el rey! Y como Saúl miró atrás, David inclinó su rotro á tierra, é hizo reverencia.

9 Y dijo David á Saúl: ¿Por qué oyes las palabras de los que dicen: Mira que David procura tu mal?

10 He aquí han visto hoy tus ojos como Jehová te ha puesto hoy en mis manos en la cueva: y dijeron que te matase, mas te perdoné, porque dije: No extenderé mi mano contra mi señor, porque ungido es de Jehová.

11 Y mira, padre mío, mira aún la orilla de tu manto en mi mano: porque yo corté la orilla de tu manto, y no te maté. Conoce pues y ve que no hay mal ni traición en mi mano, ni he pecado contra ti; con todo, tú andas á caza de mi vida para quitármela.

12 Juzgue Jehová entre mí y ti, y véngueme de ti Jehová: empero mi mano no será contra ti.

13 Como dice el proverbio de los antiguos: De los impíos saldrá la impiedad: así que mi mano no será contra ti.

14 ¿Tras quién ha salido el rey de Israel? ¿á quién persigues? ¿á un perro muerto? ¿á una pulga?

15 Jehová pues será juez, y él juzgará entre mí y ti. El vea, y sustente mi causa, y me defienda de tu mano.

16 Y aconteció que, como David acabó de decir estas palabras á Saúl, Saúl dijo: ¿No es esta la voz tuya, hijo mío David? Y alzando Saúl su voz lloró.

17 Y dijo á David: Más justo eres tú que yo, que me has pagado con bien, habiéndote yo pagado con mal.

18 Tú has mostrado hoy que has hecho conmigo bien; pues no me has muerto, habiéndome Jehová puesto en tus manos.

19 Porque ¿quién hallará á su enemigo, y lo dejará ir sano y salvo? Jehová te pague con bien por lo que en este día has hecho conmigo.

20 Y ahora, como yo entiendo que tú has de reinar, y que el reino de Israel ha de ser en tu mano firme y estable,

21 Júrame pues ahora por Jehová, que no cortarás mi simiente después de mí, ni raerás mi nombre de la casa de mi padre.

22 Entonces David juró á Saúl. Y fuése Saúl á su casa, y David y los suyos se subieron al sitio fuerte.