See I Samuel xxiv.

DAVID is in the wilderness of Engedi. “Saul, with a host of three thousand men, seeks him, still determined on his life. Arrived in the valley, Saul sleeps in the very cave in which David and his band have taken refuge. David's followers advise him to seize the opportunity, and put Saul to death; but he refuses to lay his hand on "the anointed of the Lord,” and only, while Saul is asleep, cuts off the skirt of his garment. After leaving the cave, the king is presently arrested by the voice of David, who declares to him his innocency of his intention towards his life, notwithstanding the words of his enemies. Saul is melted to contrition, and returns home; but, evidently still suspicious. “David and his men gat them up unto the hold.”

In this bold and picturesque engraving all the components conform to the 6ne purpose of exhibiting, in the strongest possible manner, the disparity between the two groups. Saul, representing the power and prerogative of the nation, and surrounded by all the pomp and circumstance of war, occupies the precipitous cliffs, with his followers, a band winding along all the mountain side, with spears gleaming in the light. David, with only a few devoted adherents, who have been hunted in caves, in the “strongholds of the wood” and upon the rocks of the wild goats," has come out into the open valley below, in full view of the army of Saul. Holding up the fragment of the king's garment he says to him: “My father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou hui1test my soul to take it.”