IfI have rewardedevilto my friend,Or have plunderedhim who withoutcausewas my adversary,
He has putforthhis handsagainst those whowere at peacewith him; He has violatedhis covenant.
Davidpersuadedhis menwith [these] wordsand did not allowthem to riseup againstSaul.And Saularose,leftthe cave,and wenton [his] way.
The refiningpotis for silverand the furnacefor gold,But the LORDtestshearts.
Thus they have repaidme evilfor goodAnd hatredfor my love.
"Now behold,as your lifewas highlyvaluedin my sightthisday,somay my lifebe highlyvaluedin the sightof the LORD,and may He deliverme from alldistress."
Then Ahimelechansweredthe kingand said,"And whoamong allyour servantsis as faithfulas David,even the king'sson-in-law,who is captain overyour guard,and is honoredin your house?
Then Davidfledfrom Naiothin Ramah,and cameand saidto Jonathan,"Whathave I done?Whatis my iniquity?And whatis my sinbeforeyour father,that he is seekingmy life?"
They had [just] goneout of the city,[and] were not faroff, when Josephsaidto his housesteward,"Up, followthe men;and when you overtakethem, sayto them, 'Whyhave you repaidevilfor good?
Then Saulsaid,"I have sinned.Return,my sonDavid,for I will not harmyou againbecausemy lifewas preciousin your sightthisday.Behold,I have playedthe fooland have committeda seriouserror."
"With whomeverof your servantsit is found,let him die,and we alsowill be my lord'sslaves."
"The LORDhas returnedupon you allthe bloodshedof the houseof Saul,in whoseplaceyou have reigned;and the LORDhas giventhe kingdominto the handof your sonAbsalom.And behold,you are [taken] in your own evil,for you are a manof bloodshed!"
"Ifmy stephas turnedfrom the way,Or my heartfollowedmy eyes,Or if any spothas stuckto my hands,
Let my shoulderfallfrom the socket,And my armbe brokenoffat the elbow.
But Paulcriedout with a loudvoice,saying,"Donot harmyourself,for we are allhere!"
