8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.p 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listenq when men say, ‘David is bent on harmingr you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spareds you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cutt off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guiltyu of wrongdoingv or rebellion. I have not wrongedw you, but you are huntingx me down to take my life.y 12 May the Lord judgez between you and me. And may the Lord avengea the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,b’ so my hand will not touch you.

14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog?c A flea?d 15 May the Lord be our judgee and decidef between us. May he consider my cause and upholdg it; may he vindicateh me by deliveringi me from your hand.”

16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice,j David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,”k he said. “You have treated me well,l but I have treated you badly.m 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord deliveredn me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord rewardo you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be kingp and that the kingdomq of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swearr to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.s”

22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.t