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to search the wilderness wherein he was； and he promised that he
himself would follow them。 Accordingly they went before the king；
to hunt for and to catch David； and used endeavors； not only to
show their good…will to Saul； by informing him where his enemy
was； but to evidence the same more plainly by delivering him up
into his power。 But these men failed of those their unjust and
wicked desires； who； while they underwent no hazard by not
discovering such an ambition of revealing this to Saul； yet did
they falsely accuse and promise to deliver up a man beloved of
God； and one that was unjustly sought after to be put to death；
and one that might otherwise have lain concealed； and this out of
flattery； and expectation of gain from the king； for when David
was apprized of the malignant intentions of the men of Ziph； and
the approach of Saul； he left the Straits of that country； and
fled to the great rock that was in the wilderness of Maon。
3。 Hereupon Saul made haste to pursue him thither； for； as he was
marching； he learned that David was gone away from the Straits of
Ziph； and Saul removed to the other side of the rock。 But the
report that the Philistines had again made an incursion into the
country of the Hebrews； called Saul another way from the pursuit
of David； when he was ready to be caught； for he returned back
again to oppose those Philistines； who were naturally their
enemies； as judging it more necessary to avenge himself of them；
than to take a great deal of pains to catch an enemy of his own；
and to overlook the ravage that was made in the land。
4。 And by this means David unexpectedly escaped out of the danger
he was in； and came to the Straits of Engedi； and when Saul had
driven the Philistines out of the land； there came some
messengers； who told him that David abode within the bounds of
Engedi： so he took three thousand chosen men that were armed； and
made haste to him； and when he was not far from those places； he
saw a deep and hollow cave by the way…side； it was open to a
great length and breadth； and there it was that David with his
four hundred men were concealed。 When therefore he had occasion
to ease nature； he entered into it by himself alone； and being
seen by one of David's companions； and he that saw him saying to
him； that he had now； by God's providence； an opportunity of
avenging himself of his adversary； and advising him to cut off
his head； and so deliver himself out of that tedious； wandering
condition； and the distress he was in； he rose up； and only cut
off the skirt of that garment which Saul had on： but he soon
repented of what he had done； and said it was not right to kill
him that was his master； and one whom God had thought worthy of
the kingdom； 〃for that although he were wickedly disposed towards
us； yet does it not behoove me to be so disposed towards him。〃
But when Saul had left the cave； David came near and cried out
aloud； and desired Saul to hear him； whereupon the king turned
his face back； and David； according to custom； fell down on his
face before the king； and bowed to him； and said； 〃O king； thou
oughtest not to hearken to wicked men； nor to such as forge
calumnies； nor to gratify them so far as to believe what they
say； nor to entertain suspicions of such as are your best
friends； but to judge of the dispositions of all men by their
actions； for calumny deludes men； but men's own actions are a
clear demonstration of their kindness。 Words indeed； in their own
nature； may be either true or false； but men's actions expose
their intentions nakedly to our view。 By these； therefore it will
be well for thee to believe me； as to my regard to thee and to
thy house； and not to believe those that frame such accusations
against me as never came into my mind； nor are possible to be
executed； and do this further by pursuing after my life； and have
no concern either day or night； but how to compass my life and to
murder me； which thing I think thou dost unjustly prosecute； for
how comes it about； that thou hast embraced this false opinion
about me； as if I had a desire to kill thee？ Or how canst thou
escape the crime of impiety towards God； when thou wishest thou
couldst kill； and deemest thine adversary； a man who had it in
his power this day to avenge himself； and to punish thee； but
would not do it？ nor make use of such an opportunity； which； if
it had fallen out to thee against me； thou hadst not let it slip；
for when I cut off the skirt of thy garment； I could have done
the same to thy head。〃 So he showed him the piece of his garment；
and thereby made him agree to what he said to be true； and added；
〃I； for certain； have abstained from taking a just revenge upon
thee； yet art thou not ashamed to prosecute me with unjust
hatred。 （23） May God do justice； and determine about each of our
dispositions。〃 … But Saul was amazed at the strange delivery he
had received； and being greatly affected with the moderation and
the disposition of the young man； he groaned； and when David had
done the same； the king answered that he had the justest occasion
to groan； 〃for thou hast been the author of good to me； as I have
been the author of calamity to thee； and thou hast demonstrated
this day； that thou possessest the righteousness of the ancients；
who determined that men ought to save their enemies； though they
caught them in a desert place。 I am now persuaded that God
reserves the kingdom for thee； and that thou wilt obtain the
dominion over all the Hebrews。 Give me then assurances upon oath；
That thou wilt not root out my family； nor； out of remembrance of
what evil I have done thee； destroy my posterity； but save and
preserve my house。〃 So David sware as he desired； and sent back
Saul to his own kingdom； but he； and those that were with him；
went up the Straits of Mastheroth。
5。 About this time Samuel the prophet died。 He was a man whom the
Hebrews honored in an extraordinary degree： for that lamentation
which the people made for him； and this during a long time；
manifested his virtue； and the affection which the people bore
for him； as also did the solemnity and concern that appeared
about his funeral； and about the complete observation of all his
funeral rites。 They buried him in his own city of Ramah； and wept
for him a very great number of days； not looking on it as a
sorrow for the death of another man； but as that in which they
were every one themselves concerned。 He was a righteous man； and
gentle in his nature； and on that account he was very dear to
God。 Now he governed and presided over the people alone； after
the death of Eli the high priest； twelve years； and eighteen
years together with Saul the king。 And thus we have finished the
history of Samuel。
6。 There was a man that was a Ziphite； of the city of Maon； who
was rich； and had a vast number of cattle； for he fed a flock of
three thousand sheep； and another flock of a thousand goats。 Now
David had charged his associates to keep these flocks without
hurt and without damage； and to do them no mischief； neither out
of covetousness； nor because they were in want； nor because they
were in the wilderness； and so could not eas