So Saul took three thousand of the best troops from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the rocks of the wild goats;
and he came to the sheepfolds along the way. There was a cave there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the back of the cave.
David’s men said to him, “This is the day of which GOD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your hands; you can do with him as you please.’” David went and stealthily cut off the corner of Saul’s cloak.
He said to his men, “GOD forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord—GOD’s anointed—that I should raise my hand against him; for he is GOD’s anointed.”
Then David also went out of the cave and called after Saul, “My lord king!” Saul looked around and David bowed low in homage, with his face to the ground.
You can see for yourself now that GOD delivered you into my hands in the cave today. And though I was urged to kill you, I showed you pity; (cf., e.g., Deut. 7.16). for I said, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, since he is GOD’s anointed.’
Please, sir, take a close look at the corner of your cloak in my hand; for when I cut off the corner of your cloak, I did not kill you. You must see plainly that I have done nothing evil or rebellious, and I have never wronged you. Yet you are bent on taking my life.