1 Samuel 24

About 1 Samuel 1 Samuel tells of Samuel the prophet, Israel's first king Saul, and the rise of young David.

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:1Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:2Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:3Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:4Ask

And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.Selected1 Samuel 24:5Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:6Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:7Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:8Ask

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?Selected1 Samuel 24:9Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:10Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:11Ask

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.Selected1 Samuel 24:12Ask

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.Selected1 Samuel 24:13Ask

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.Selected1 Samuel 24:14Ask

The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.Selected1 Samuel 24:15Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:16Ask

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.Selected1 Samuel 24:17Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:18Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:19Ask

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.Selected1 Samuel 24:20Ask

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.Selected1 Samuel 24:21Ask

And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.Selected1 Samuel 24:22Ask

Read from the KJV text.

All 31 chapters of 1 Samuel
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