The relations between
the two men became so empoisoned to the extent that more than once,
Saul sought to kill David. The latter was, moreover, forced to seek
refuge in the caves of Ein Gedi where the following episode took place:
Now
when Saul returned from a campaign against the Philistines, he was informed
that David was in the Ein Gedi desert. Saul mobilized three thousand
men recruited throughout Israel and went in search of David and his
men following the tracks of the chamois. When they reached the sheepfold
near the route, Saul entered one of the caves to relieve himself without
suspecting that David and his men were at the back of it. David's men
said: This is the moment that the Eternal announced to you saying: «
Behold, I will hand over your enemy to you to do with as you see fit.
» David silently rose to cut the hem of Saul's cloak. But soon after,
he regretted having cut the clothing and said to his men: « God forbid
that I should act in that manner towards my king, the Lord's anointed
one, to raise my hand against him. » David prevented his men from carrying
out their plans and did not permit them to attack Saul who went out
of the cave and continued on his way.