Praised be your good judgment! May you yourself be rewarded<n id="1" /> for having prevented me this day from shedding blood and taking matters into my own hands!

The <sc>Lordsc> rewards each man for his integrity and loyalty.<n id="1" /> Even though today the <sc>Lordsc> delivered you into my hand, I was not willing to extend my hand against the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one.

<n id="1" /><p class="bodytext">Then Saul said to David, &#8220;Here&#8217;s my oldest daughter, Merab. I want to give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior<n id="2" /> for me and fight the battles of the <sc>Lordsc>.&#8221; For Saul thought, &#8220;There&#8217;s no need for me to raise my hand against him. Let it be the hand of the Philistines!&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">The priest replied to David, &#8220;I don&#8217;t have any ordinary bread at my disposal. Only holy bread is available, and then only if your soldiers<n id="1" /> have abstained from sexual relations with women.&#8221;<n id="2" />

He said to his men, &#8220;May the <sc>Lordsc> keep me far away from doing such a thing to my lord, who is the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one,<n id="1" /> by extending my hand against him. After all,<n id="2" /> he is the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one.&#8221;<n id="3" />

Today your own eyes see how the <sc>Lordsc> delivered you &#8211; this very day &#8211; into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity<n id="1" /> on you and said, &#8216;I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one.&#8217;<n id="2" />

But may the <sc>Lordsc> prevent me from extending my hand against the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s chosen one! Now take the spear by Saul&#8217;s head and the jug of water, and let&#8217;s get out of here!&#8221;