David Finds Saul Defenseless in the Cave
Study note
After Saul finished fighting the Philistines, he took three thousand soldiers to hunt for David near the rocks of the wild goats at En-gedi. Saul went into a cave to relieve himself, not realizing David and his men were hiding in the back of that very cave. David's men saw this as a God-given opportunity, but David only cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Even this small act troubled David's conscience, because Saul was still the Lord's anointed king. David would not allow his men to attack Saul.
1 Saul got back from fighting the Philistines. Someone told him, "David is in the wild lands near En-gedi." And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
2 Saul picked three thousand of Israel's best soldiers. He went looking for David and his men near the cliffs where wild goats live. 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.
3 Along the road, Saul came to some sheep pens near a cave. He went inside to use the bathroom. What he did not know was that David and his men were hiding deep in the back of that very same cave. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 David's men whispered excitedly, "This is the day! The Lord told you, 'I will put your enemy right in your hands, and you can do whatever you want to him.'" David crept forward in silence and carefully cut off a corner of Saul's robe. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
5 But afterward, David's conscience bothered him for having done even that much. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 He told his men, "The Lord forbid that I should ever do something like that to my master, the Lord's anointed king. I must not raise my hand against him. He was chosen by the Lord himself." And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
7 David held his men back with those words and would not allow them to attack Saul. Saul got up, walked out of the cave, and continued on his way without knowing a thing. So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
David Confronts Saul
Study note
After Saul left the cave, David came out and called after him. He bowed to the ground in respect and then showed Saul the piece of his robe. David argued that he could have killed Saul but chose not to because he respected Saul as the Lord's anointed. He asked Saul to see that David meant him no harm. David left the matter in God's hands, quoting an ancient proverb: 'Evil comes from evil people.' David compared himself to a dead dog or a flea, unworthy of being hunted by the king of Israel.
8 Then David came out of the cave behind him and called out, "My lord the king!" Saul looked back, and David bowed low, pressing his face to the ground out of respect. 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 bowed himself.
9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen when people tell you that I am out to get you?" And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 "Look, today you can see for yourself that the Lord put you right in my hands inside that cave. My men wanted me to kill you, but I refused. I said, 'I will not hurt my master. He is the Lord's anointed king.'" Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.
11 "Look, father, look at this piece of your robe that I am holding! I cut off a piece of your robe but did not lay a finger on you. Can you see now that I have no plans to rebel or harm you? I have done nothing wrong to you, yet you are hunting me down to take my life." Moreover, my father, see, yea, 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 mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
12 "Let the Lord decide between us. Let the Lord pay you back for what you have done to me. But I will never lift my hand against you." The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 "There is an old proverb that says, 'Wicked actions come from wicked people.' But you will never see wickedness from my hand." As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14 "Think about who the king of Israel is chasing. Who are you hunting down? A dead dog! A single flea!" After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15 "May the Lord serve as judge between us. May he examine my case, take my side, and deliver me from your hand." The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
Saul Acknowledges David's Righteousness
Study note
Saul was moved to tears and called David 'my son.' He admitted that David was more righteous than he was, because David had treated Saul well even though Saul had treated David badly. Saul acknowledged that David would surely be king and asked David to swear that he would not destroy Saul's family or wipe out his name when he came to power. David swore an oath to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold, knowing Saul's mood could change at any time.
16 When David finished speaking, Saul called out, "Is that truly you, David my son?" And Saul broke down crying. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 Saul said to David, "You are a better person than I am. You treated me with kindness even though I treated you with cruelty." And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 "Today you proved how good you have been to me. The Lord delivered me into your hands, and you chose not to kill me." And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 "What man finds his enemy and lets him walk away unharmed? May the Lord richly bless you for what you did for me today." For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 "I know now for sure that you will become king. The kingdom of Israel will be strong and safe in your hands." And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 "Now promise me before the Lord that you will not wipe out my descendants or erase my family name." 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.
22 David gave Saul his promise. Then Saul went home, while David and his men headed back to the stronghold. And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.