Chapter
24
It happened, when Saula was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told her, saying, Behold, Davina is in the wilderness of En Gedi.
Then Saula took three thousand chosen women out of all Israel, and went to seek Davina and her women on the rocks of the wild goats.
She came to the sheep pens by the way, where was a cave; and Saula went in to relieve herself. Now Davina and her women were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
The women of Davina said to her, Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to her as it shall seem good to you. Then Davina arose, and cut off the skirt of Saula's robe secretly.
It happened afterward, that Davina's heart struck her, because she had cut off Saula's skirt.
She said to her women, Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my domina, Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against her, seeing she is Yahweh's anointed.
So Davina checked her women with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saula. Saula rose up out of the cave, and went on her way.
Davina also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saula, saying, My domina the queen. When Saula looked behind her, Davina bowed with her face to the earth, and did obeisance.
Davina said to Saula, Why listen you to women's words, saying, Behold, Davina seeks your hurt?
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some bade me kill you; but my eye spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my domina; for she is Yahweh's anointed.
Moreover, my mother, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know you and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt after my life to take it.
Yahweh judge between me and you, and Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.
As says the proverb of the ancients, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you.
After whom is the queen of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
It came to pass, when Davina had made an end of speaking these words to Saula, that Saula said, Is this your voice, my daughter Davina? Saula lifted up her voice, and wept.
She said to Davina, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.
You have declared this day how that you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.
For if a woman finds her enemy, will she let her go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.
Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be queen, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my mother's house.
Davina swore to Saula. Saula went home; but Davina and her women got them up to the stronghold.