Righteous Restraint

The Scripture: 1st Samuel 24
[12] "May the LORD judge between me and you, may the
LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be
against you. [13] As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of
the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be
against you. [14] After whom has the king of Israel come
out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a
flea! [15] May the LORD therefore be judge and give
sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my
cause and deliver me from your hand." [16] As soon as
David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said,
"Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his
voice and wept. [17] He said to David, "You are more
righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I
have repaid you evil. [18] And you have declared this day
how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill
me when the LORD put me into your hands. [19] For if a
man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may
the LORD reward you with good for what you have done
to me this day. [20] And now, behold, I know that you shall
surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be
established in your hand. [21] Swear to me therefore by the
LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and
that you will not destroy my name out of my father's
house." [22] And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went
home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
(ESV)