| Berean Study Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” | 1When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness near En-gedi." |
| 2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. | 2So Saul took three thousand of Israel's fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. |
| 3Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave. | 3When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, |
| 4So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’ ” Then David crept up secretly and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. | 4so they said to him, "Look, this is the day the LORD told you about: 'I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.'" Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe. |
| 5Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. | 5Afterward, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe. |
| 6So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.” | 6He said to his men, "I swear before the LORD: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed." |
| 7With these words David restrained his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. | 7With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way. |
| 8After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence | 8After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David knelt low with his face to the ground and paid homage. |
| 9and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? | 9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of people who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you'? |
| 10Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ | 10You can see with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me today in the cave. Someone advised me to kill you, but I took pity on you and said: I won't lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD's anointed. |
| 11See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. | 11Look, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Recognize that I've committed no crime or rebellion. I haven't sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life. |
| 12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. | 12"May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you. |
| 13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. | 13As the old proverb says, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' My hand will never be against you. |
| 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? | 14Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A single flea? |
| 15May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.” | 15May the LORD be judge and decide between you and me. May he take notice and plead my case and deliver me from you." |
| 16When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud | 16When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul wept aloud |
| 17and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil. | 17and said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you. |
| 18And you have shown this day how well you have dealt with me; for when the LORD delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. | 18You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me. |
| 19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day. | 19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD repay you with good for what you've done for me today. |
| 20Now I know for sure that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. | 20"Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. |
| 21So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” | 21Therefore swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family." |
| 22So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. | 22So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold. |
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