First Reading
1 Samuel 24:3-21
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
3Saul therefore took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went out to seek after David, and his men, even upon the most craggy rocks, which are accessible only to wild goats.
4And he came to the sheepcotes, which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.
5And the servants of David said to him: Look the day, of which the Lord said to you: I will deliver your enemy to you, that you may do to him as it shall seem good in your eyes. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.
6After which David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the hem of Saul's robe.
7And he said to his men: The Lord be merciful to me, that I may do no such thing to my master the Lord's anointed, as to lay my hand upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed.
8And David stopped his men with his words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rising up out of the cave, went on his way.
9And David also rose up after him: and going out of the cave cried after Saul, saying: My lord the king. And Saul looked behind him: and David bowing himself down to the ground, worshipped,
10And said to Saul: Why do you hear the words of men that say David seeketh your hurt?
11Look this day your eyes have seen, that the Lord has rescued you into my hand, in the cave, and I had a thought to kill you, but my eye has spared you. For I said: I will not put out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord's anointed.
12Moreover see and know, OH my father, the hem of your robe in my hand, that when I cut, off the hem of your robe, I would not put out my hand against you. Reflect, and see, that there is no evil in my hand, nor sin, neither have I sinned against you: but you liest in wait for my life, to take it away.
13The Lord judge between me and you, and the Lord revenge me of you: but my hand shall not be upon you.
14As also it is said in the old proverb: From the evil shall evil come forth: therefore my hand shall not be upon you. After whom do you come out, OH king of Israel?
15After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea.
16Be the Lord judge, and judge between me and you, and see, and judge my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
17And when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, Saul said: Is this your voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
18And he said to David: You art more righteous than I: for you have done good to me, and I have rewarded you with evil.
19And you have shewn this day what good things you have done to me: how the Lord rescued me into your hand, and you have not killed me.
20For who when he has found his enemy, will let him go well away? But the Lord reward you for this good turn, for what you have done to me this day.
21And now as I know that you shall surely be king, and have the kingdom of Israel in your hand: