1 Samuel 26

1The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself in Hachilah hill facing Jeshimon?"

2Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, which faces Jeshimon beside the road, while David dwelt in the wilderness; and he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness.

4David sent spies and learned that Saul had surely come.

5David rose and came to the place where Saul had encamped, and David saw the place where Saul lay, along with Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army; Saul was lying in the wagon circle, and the people were encamped all around him.

6David replied to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai said, "I will go down with you."

7David and Abishai came to the people at night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping in the trench, his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the people lay all around him.

8Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand today. Now please let me strike him with the spear right into the ground at one stroke, and I will not strike him again."

9David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can extend his hand against Yahweh's anointed and remain innocent?"

10David said, "As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and perish."

11Far be it from me before Yahweh to lay my hand on Yahweh's anointed; now please take the spear that is at his head and his pillow, and the jar of water, and let us go.

12David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul's head, and they withdrew, but no one saw, no one knew, and no one woke, because all were asleep—a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen upon them.

13David crossed to the other side and stood on the top of the hill at a distance, a great space between them.

14David called to the people and to Abner son of Ner, saying, "Won't you answer, Abner?" Abner answered and said, "Who are you who called to the king?"

15David said to Abner, "Aren't you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why haven't you kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came to destroy your lord the king."

16This thing you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, you deserve death, because you did not keep watch over your lord, over Yahweh's anointed. Now see where the king's spear is, and the water jar that was at his head.

17Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord the king."

18He said, "Why does my lord pursue his servant like this? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?"

19Now please let my lord the king hear his servant's words. If Yahweh has roused you against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is sons of men, cursed are they before Yahweh, for they have driven me out today from clinging to Yahweh's inheritance, saying, Go, serve other gods.

20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from Yahweh's presence, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.

21Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no longer harm you, because my life was precious in your eyes today. See, I have acted foolishly and strayed greatly—exceedingly."

22David answered, "Look, the king's spear! Let one of the young men come over and take it."

23Yahweh will repay every man his righteousness and his faithfulness, because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, yet I refused to stretch out my hand against Yahweh's anointed.

24Behold, as your life was magnified today in my eyes, so let my life be magnified in the eyes of Yahweh, and let him deliver me from all distress.

25Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish and will surely prevail." David set out on his path, and Saul went back home.