1 Samuel 24:6-10

24:6 He said to his men, “May the Lord keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the Lord’s chosen one, ¹  by extending my hand against him. After all, ²  he is the Lord’s chosen one.” ³  24:7 David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down ⁴  the road.

24:8 Afterward David got up and went out of the cave. He called out after Saul, “My lord, O king!” When Saul looked behind him, David kneeled down and bowed with his face to the ground. 24:9 David said to Saul, “Why do you pay attention when men say, ‘David is seeking to do you harm’? 24:10 Today your own eyes see how the Lord delivered you – this very day – into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity ⁵  on you and said, ‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.’ ⁶ 

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¹ tn Heb “anointed.”

² tn Or “for.”

³ tn Heb “anointed.”

⁴ tn Heb “went on.”

⁵ tn Heb “it had pity,” apparently with the understood subject being “my eye,” in accordance with a common expression.

⁶ tn Heb “anointed.”