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Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon.”
2 So Saul went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, together with three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David there. 3 Saul encamped beside the road on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, while David was living in the wilderness. When he learned that Saul had followed him there, 4 David sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.
5 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul had laid down, and that of Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the troops camped all around him.
6 Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to into the camp to Saul?”
“I will go down with you,” Abishai answered.
7 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 by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him.
8 Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear. I will not have to strike him a second time.”
9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him! Who can raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be blameless?” 10 Then David said, “As surely as the Lord lives, the Lord Himself will strike him down, or his day will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed; but please, take now the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go.”
12 So David took the spear and the jug of water near Saul’s head, and they left there. No one saw it or knew it, nor did anyone wake up. They all remained sleeping, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.
13 Then David crossed to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill some distance away; and there was a wide space between them. 14 Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner: “Will you not answer, Abner?”
Abner replied, “Who are you to shout out to the king?”
15 David said to Abner, “You’re a man, aren’t you? And who is like you in all of Israel? So why didn’t you keep watch and protect the lord your king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16 What 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. Look around, where is the king’s spear and the jug of water that was at his head?”
17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, David my son?”
David repied, “It is my voice, my lord the king.” 18 David continued, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done? What guilt is on my hands? 19 Now let my lord the king please listen to the words of his servant. If it the Lord who has incited you against me, then may He accept an offering. But if it is men, however, may they be accursed before the Lord! For they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods’. 20 So do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, like someone who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son, for I will do you no more harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed, I have been a fool and committed a grave error.”
22 David answered, “Here is the king’s spear! Have one of the young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Just as I valued your life highly this day, so may my life be valued highly in the eyes of the Lord, and may He rescue me from all trouble.”
25 Then Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David! You will do many great things and succeed in them.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.