1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David.

Chapter 24

1 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.

After Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, he was told that David was in the wilderness of Engedi.

2 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.

Then Saul chose 3,000 best warriors from all over Israel and went to find David and his group hiding on the cliffs where the goats roam.

3 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.

Then he reached some sheep shelters on the road, where there was a cave. Saul went inside to warm up his feet, while David and his group stayed outside near the cave.

4 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.

David's men told him, "Today, the Lord said your enemy will be handed to you. You can do whatever you want with them." So David secretly cut a piece off of Saul's clothing.

5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

Later on, David felt really bad for cutting off a piece of Saul's clothing.

6 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.

He told his friends, "I can't do this to my master, who is the LORD's chosen one. It would be wrong for me to hurt him because he is chosen by God."

7 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.

David stopped his servants by saying these words and wouldn't let them fight against Saul. However, Saul left the cave and continued on his journey.

8 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.

Later, David got up from the cave and called out to Saul, "My king!" When Saul turned around, David bent down and showed respect by bowing his head to the ground.

9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

David asked Saul, "Why do you listen to people who say that David wants to harm you?"

10 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.

Look, today you saw how the Lord saved you into my hands in a cave. Some told me to kill you, but I didn't want to hurt you. I thought, 'I won't raise my hand against my lord,' because you are the one chosen by the Lord.

11 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.

My father, look! Here's a piece of your robe I'm holding. When I took this piece, I didn't mean to hurt you. You can see that I haven't done anything wrong or bad towards you. But still, you tried to catch me.

12 The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

Let God judge between us, and God punish you for me, but I won't harm you myself.

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

As the old saying goes, bad behavior comes from bad people, but I won't be the one causing harm.

14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

Who is the king of Israel looking for? Who are you chasing? It's just a dead dog; it's only a flea.

15 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

So, God, please be the judge between us and decide who is right. See our situation, defend my side, and save me from this trouble.

16 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.

After David finished talking to Saul, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, my son David?" Then Saul raised his voice and cried.

17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

He told David, "You are more fair than me. You treated me well, but I treated you badly."

18 And thou hast shewed 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.

Today you have shown that you have treated me kindly. When the Lord gave me to you, you did not kill me.

19 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.

If someone finds their enemy, will they let them go easily? So, the Lord rewards you for doing good to me today.

20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

And now, see, I understand clearly that you will definitely become king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be firmly under your control.

21 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.

Promise me now, in the name of God, that you won't end my family line after I'm gone and that you won't erase my name from my father's family.

22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

David promised Saul. Saul went back home. David and his team went to a fortress.

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