2
So Saularose and wentdown to the wilderness of Ziph, having with him threethousandchosenmen of Israel, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3
Saulcamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before*Jeshimon, beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When he saw that Saulcameafter him into the wilderness,
5
David then arose and came to the placewhere*Saul had camped. And Davidsaw the placewhere*Saullay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was lying in the circle of the camp, and the people were campedaround him.
6
Then Davidsaid to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab'sbrother, saying, "Who will godown with me to Saul in the camp?" And Abishaisaid, "I will godown with you."
7
So David and Abishaicame to the people by night, and behold, Saullaysleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spearstuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lyingaround him.
8
Then Abishaisaid to David, "TodayGod has delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with onestroke, and I will not strike him the secondtime."
11
"The LORDforbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD'Sanointed; but nowpleasetake the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go."
12
So Davidtook the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul'shead, and they went away, but noonesaw or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were allasleep, because a soundsleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
14
Davidcalled to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abnerreplied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"
15
So Davidsaid to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the peoplecame to destroy the king your lord.
16
"Thisthing that you have done is not good. As the LORDlives, all of you mustsurelydie, because you did not guard your lord, the LORD'Sanointed. And now, seewhere the king'sspear is and the jug of water that was at his head."
19
"Now therefore, please let my lord the kinglisten to the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it is men*, cursed are they before the LORD, for they have driven me out todayso that I would have noattachment with the inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serveothergods.'
20
"Now then, do not let my bloodfall to the groundaway from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a singleflea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."
21
Then Saulsaid, "I have sinned. Return, my sonDavid, for I will not harm you againbecause* my life was precious in your sightthisday. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious*error."
23
"The LORD will repayeachman for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORDdelivered you into my handtoday, but I refused* to stretch out my hand against the LORD'Sanointed.
24
"Now behold, as your life was highlyvalued in my sightthisday, so may my life be highlyvalued in the sight of the LORD, and may He deliver me from alldistress."
25
Then Saulsaid to David, "Blessed are you, my sonDavid; you will bothaccomplishmuch and surelyprevail." So Davidwent on his way, and Saulreturned to his place.