שמואל א, פרק ל׳, פסוק ט״ו

David asks an Egyptian youth for assistance in locating the Amalekite military troop [מצודת ציון] and revealing the path they took [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In response, the young man agrees to serve as a guide, but only on the condition that his personal safety is strictly guaranteed.

Terrified of being judged as a traitorous slave [ביאור שטיינזלץ], the youth demands that David swear an oath by God. He insists on this divine guarantee so that if David breaks their agreement, he will suffer the severe consequences of a false oath [מצודת דוד].

The young man's demand consists of two specific conditions: David must promise neither to kill him nor to hand him back to his former master [מצודת ציון]. This dual request stems from his complete uncertainty regarding David's relationship with the Amalekites. Unsure of who he is dealing with, the youth anticipates two distinct dangers. If David and his men happen to be allies of Amalek, the youth fears they will kill him on the spot for abandoning his master. Conversely, if David is an enemy of Amalek, his concern is that he will simply be captured and returned to his master's custody [מלבי״ם].