English Bible Presentation Sharing - 1-Samuel Book, chapter 24, verse 23 in Hcsb Version

1 Samuel 24 : 1 (HCSB)

When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness near En-gedi."

1 Samuel 24 : 2 (HCSB)

So Saul took 3,000 of Israel's choice men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 24 : 3 (HCSB)

When 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 back of the cave,

1 Samuel 24 : 4 (HCSB)

so 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.

1 Samuel 24 : 5 (HCSB)

Afterwards, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

1 Samuel 24 : 6 (HCSB)

He 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."

1 Samuel 24 : 7 (HCSB)

With 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.

1 Samuel 24 : 8 (HCSB)

After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed to the ground in homage.

1 Samuel 24 : 9 (HCSB)

David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of people who say, 'Look, David intends to harm you'?

1 Samuel 24 : 10 (HCSB)

You 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.

1 Samuel 24 : 11 (HCSB)

See, my father! Look at the corner of your robe in my hand, for I cut it off, but I didn't kill you. Look and recognize that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I haven't sinned against you even though you are hunting me down to take my life.

1 Samuel 24 : 12 (HCSB)

"May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you for me, but my hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 24 : 13 (HCSB)

As the old proverb says, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' My hand will never be against you.

1 Samuel 24 : 14 (HCSB)

Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea?

1 Samuel 24 : 15 (HCSB)

May the LORD be judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from you."

1 Samuel 24 : 16 (HCSB)

When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul wept aloud

1 Samuel 24 : 17 (HCSB)

and 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.

1 Samuel 24 : 18 (HCSB)

You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me.

1 Samuel 24 : 19 (HCSB)

When 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.

1 Samuel 24 : 20 (HCSB)

"Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.

1 Samuel 24 : 21 (HCSB)

Therefore swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family."

1 Samuel 24 : 22 (HCSB)

So David swore to Saul. Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.