11
Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
12
Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
13
As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.' But my hand shall not be against you.
14
After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
15
Therefore let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand."
16
So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17
Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
18
And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.
19
For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
20
And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
21
Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house."
22
So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.