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Chapter 24
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1
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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 Engedi. |
2
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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
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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
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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
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And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote
him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. |
6
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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
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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. |
8
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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
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And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's
words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? |
10
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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
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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
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The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge
me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. |
13
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As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth
from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. |
14
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After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom
dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. |
15
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The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and
thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of
thine hand. |
16
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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
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And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I:
for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded
thee evil. |
18
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And thou hast showed 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
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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
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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
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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
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And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David
and his men gat them up unto the hold. |
