1 Samuel 24:1
And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi. And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.
When Saul had turned back from chasing the Philistines, word came to him that David was hiding in the wilderness of En-gedi. This was during David's flight from Saul after the priests had been killed, when Abiathar had escaped to David and David had promised him protection. Upon that report Saul took three thousand chosen men to hunt for David, who had only six hundred men with him.
Saul then went alone into the secluded cave where David and his men were concealed, placing himself within David's power to kill. David would not lift his hand against him because he was the Lord's anointed, contenting himself with secretly cutting off a portion of Saul's robe, and afterward his conscience smote him even for that act. The encounter thus set a young shepherd holding God's promise of the throne against an established monarch bent on holding his power, proving that one who trusts God's word can stand firm against overwhelming human strength.