1 Samuel 24
When Talut returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, Dawud is in the wilderness of En Gedi. 2Then Talut took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek Dawud and his men on the rocks of the wild goats. 3He came to the sheep pens by the road, where there was a cave; and Talut went in to relieve himself. Now Dawud and his men were hiding in the back of the cave. 4The men of Dawud said to him, Behold, the day of which Allah said to you, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you. Then Dawud arose, and cut off the edge of Talut's robe secretly. 5Afterward, Dawud's heart struck him, because he had cut Talut's robe. 6He said to his men, Allah forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Allah's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Allah's anointed. 7So Dawud restrained his men with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Talut. Talut rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 8Dawud also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and called after Talut, saying, My lord the king. When Talut looked behind him, Dawud bowed down with his face to the earth. 9Dawud said to Talut, Why do you listen to men's words, saying, Dawud seeks to harm you? 10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Allah had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some wanted me to kill you; but I spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Allah's anointed. 11Moreover, my father, look, yes, see the edge of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the edge of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it. 12Allah judge between me and you, and Allah avenge me of you; but my hand shall not touch you. 13As the old proverb says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not touch you. 14After whom is the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. 15Allah therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand. 16It came to pass, when Dawud had finished speaking these words to Talut, that Talut said, Is this your voice, my son Dawud? Talut lifted up his voice, and wept. 17He said to Dawud, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil. 18You have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, because when Allah had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me. 19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Allah reward you good for that which you have done to me this day. 20Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 21Swear now therefore to me by Allah, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house. 22Dawud swore to Talut. Talut went home; but Dawud and his men went up to the stronghold.