1 Samuel 24:6–12

⁶So he said to his men, “^aFar be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”

⁷David ¹persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, ²left the cave, and went on his way.

⁸Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, ^aDavid bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.

⁹David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks ¹to harm you’?

¹⁰“^aBehold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you today into my hand in the cave, and ^bsome said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’

¹¹“Now, ^amy father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or ¹rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you ^bare lying in wait for my life to take it.

¹²“^aMay the Lord judge between ¹you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.