David Spares Saul

Hunted by Saul, David hides with his men in the depths of a cave in the wilderness of En-gedi. Saul walks in, unaware of anything. “Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand,” whisper David’s companions. But David only quietly cuts off the corner of the king’s robe, and even that strikes his heart with guilt: he will not lay a hand on “the LORD’s anointed.” Outside the cave, he shows the piece of cloth to Saul, who weeps: “Thou art more righteous than I.” Later, the wise Abigail keeps David from taking revenge on her husband Nabal, whom the LORD strikes down himself. Then, in the wilderness of Ziph, David and Abishai slip into the sleeping camp at night. David again refuses to kill Saul and takes only his spear and water jug. Saul admits: “I have sinned.”