1 Samuel 26:1–25
1The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and told him, "David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah, near the edge of the wilderness." 2So Saul set out for the wilderness of Ziph with 3,000 of Israel's best soldiers to hunt for David there. 3Saul set up camp on the hill of Hachilah, along the road near the wilderness. David was staying in the wilderness, and when he learned that Saul had followed him there, 4he sent out spies and confirmed that Saul had definitely arrived. 5David went to the place where Saul had set up camp. He saw where Saul was lying, along with Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying in the trench, with his troops camped all around him. 6David turned to Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and asked, "Who will go down into Saul's camp with me?" Abishai answered, "I'll go with you." 7So David and Abishai slipped into the camp at night. There was Saul, sound asleep in the middle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the rest of the soldiers were sleeping all around him. 8Abishai whispered to David, "God has handed your enemy over to you tonight. Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of his own spear — I won't need a second." 9But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" 10David continued, "As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike him down — whether his time comes naturally, or he falls in battle. 11The LORD forbid that I should raise my hand against the LORD's anointed. Just grab the spear by his head and the jar of water, and let's get out of here." 12So David took the spear and the water jar from beside Saul's head, and they slipped away. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up — because the LORD had put them all into a deep sleep. 13David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of a hill far away, with a wide distance between him and the camp. 14David shouted across to the soldiers and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?" Abner called back, "Who are you, shouting at the king?" 15David said to Abner, "Aren't you a valiant man? Who is like you in Israel? Then why didn't you protect your lord the king? Someone came to destroy the king, your lord." 16What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you deserve to die because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Now look, where is the king's spear and the water jar that was by his head? 17Saul recognized David's voice and called out, "Is that you, my son David?" David answered, "It is, my lord the king." 18Then David said, "Why does my lord keep chasing his servant? What have I done? What crime am I guilty of? 19Now please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD. They have driven me out today from living in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, "Go, serve other gods." 20So please, don't let my blood be spilled far from the LORD's presence. The king of Israel has come out to hunt a single flea — like someone chasing a partridge through the mountains." 21Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again, because my soul was precious in your eyes today. I have acted foolishly and made a great mistake." 22David called back, "Here is the king's spear! Send one of your young men over to get it. 23May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD handed you over to me today, but I would not raise my hand against the LORD's anointed. 24Just as I valued your life today, may the LORD value my life and rescue me from every trouble." 25Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David. You will do great things and also still prevail." So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.