11. See, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off the skirt of your robe and did not kill you, you know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt my life to take it.
12. May the Lord judge between me and you, and may the Lord avenge me upon you, but my hand shall not be upon you.
13. As the proverb of the ancients says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be against you.
14. After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After a flea?
15. May the Lord be judge and judge between me and you, and see and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hands. [Ps. 142.]
16. When David had said this to Saul, Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17. He said to David, You are more upright in God's eyes than I, for you have repaid me good, but I have rewarded you evil.
18. You have declared today how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord gave me into your hand, you did not kill me.
19. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
20. And now, behold, I well know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hands.
21. Swear now therefore to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.