1 Samuel 26
- The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and
said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon
?"
- So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph,
with his three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search there for David.
- Saul made his camp beside the road on the
hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the desert. When he saw
that Saul had followed him there,
- he sent out scouts and learned that Saul
had definitely arrived.
- Then David set out and went to the place
where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander
of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army
encamped around him.
- David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and
Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp
with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai.
- So David and Abishai went to the army by
night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck
in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.
- Abishai said to David, "Today God has
delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with
one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."
- But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy
him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD'S anointed and be guiltless ?
- As surely as the LORD lives," he said,
"the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will
die, or he will go into battle and perish.
- But the LORD forbid that I should lay a
hand on the LORD'S anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near
his head, and let's go."
- So David took the spear and water jug near
Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake
up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
- Then David crossed over to the other side
and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between
them.
- He called out to the army and to Abner son
of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who
are you who calls to the king ?"
- David said, "You're a man, aren't you?
And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone
came to destroy your lord the king.
- What you have done is not good. As surely
as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard
your master, the LORD'S anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear
and water jug that were near his head ?"
- Saul recognized David's voice and said,
"Is that your voice, David my son?" David replied, "Yes it
is, my lord the king."
- And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing
his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of ?
- Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's
words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering.
If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have
now driven me from my share in the LORD'S inheritance and have said, 'Go,
serve other gods.'
- Now do not let my blood fall to the ground
far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look
for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."
- Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come
back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will
not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred
greatly."
- "Here is the king's spear," David
answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it.
- The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness
and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would
not lay a hand on the LORD'S anointed.
- As surely as I valued your life today, so
may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."
- Then Saul said to David, "May you be
blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph."
So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
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