14. As the old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes wickedness.’ Thus I will not lay a hand on you.
15. What is the king of Israel attacking? What are you pursuing? A dead dog! A single flea!
16. The Lord will be the judge to decide between us. May the Lord see this, defend my cause, and give me justice against you!”
17. When David finished saying these things to Saul, Saul answered, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And he wept freely.
18. Saul then admitted to David: “You are more in the right than I am. You have treated me graciously, while I have treated you badly.
19. You have declared this day how you treated me graciously: the Lord delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me.
20. For if someone comes upon an enemy, do they send them graciously on their way? So may the Lord reward you graciously for what you have done this day.
21. And now, since I know that you will certainly become king and that the kingship over Israel shall come into your possession,
22. swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants and that you will not blot out my name from my father’s house.”
23. David gave Saul his oath and Saul returned home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.