After pursuing the Philistines, Saul heard that David was in the wilderness of En-gedi. He chose three thousand men from Israel and went to look for David and his followers. Near some sheepfolds he came to a cave and entered it alone. David and his men were hiding far back inside that cave.
David’s men said this was the day God had put his enemy in his hand. David moved close to Saul and quietly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. Immediately he felt troubled even for doing that. He told his men that he would not raise his hand against the king whom God had anointed, and he restrained them.
Saul left the cave and continued down the road. David came out after him and called his name. Saul looked back, and David bowed with his face to the ground. He said Saul should not listen to those who claimed David meant him harm. David had been able to kill Saul in the cave, he said, but had not done it.
David held up the corner of the robe. It showed that he had had the chance to kill Saul and had chosen not to. He said he had not sinned or rebelled against Saul, though Saul was hunting him. Why, he asked, was the king of Israel pursuing someone as insignificant as a dead dog or a flea?
Saul recognized David’s voice and wept. He called David more righteous than himself, saying David had returned good for evil. Saul said he knew David would become king and asked him to swear not to cut off Saul’s descendants. David swore to him. Saul went home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.