January 19th, 2004, Friday of the second week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

Saul took 3,000 picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction

of the wild goat crags.

When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself.

David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

David's servants said to him,

This is the day of which the Lord said to you, I will deliver your enemy into your

grasp, do with him as you see fit. So David moved up and stealthily cut off an end of Saul's mantle.

Afterward, however, David regretted that he had cut off an end of Saul's mantle. He said to his men,

The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, as to lay a hand

on him, for he is the Lord's anointed. With these words, David restrained his men and would not permit them to attack Saul.

Saul then left the cave and went on his way.

David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul,

My lord, the king.

When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul,

why do you listen to those who say, David is trying to harm you? You see for yourself today

that the Lord just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you,

but I took pity on you instead. I decided, I will not

raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed and a father to me. Look here at this

end of your mantle, which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no

harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life.

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