1
The Zifim came to Sha'ul to Gevah, saying, Doesn't David hide himself in the hill of Hakhilah, which is before the desert?
2
Then Sha'ul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Zif, having three thousand chosen men of Yisra'el with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Zif.
3
Sha'ul encamped in the hill of Hakhilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Sha'ul came after him into the wilderness.
4
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul was come of a certainty.
5
David arose, and came to the place where Sha'ul had encamped; and David saw the place where Sha'ul lay, and Aviner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Sha'ul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped round about him.
6
Then answered David and said to Achimelekh the Hittite, and to Avishai the son of Tzeru'yah, brother to Yo'av, saying, Who will go down with me to Sha'ul to the camp? Avishai said, I will go down with you.
7
So David and Avishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Sha'ul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Aviner and the people lay round about him.
8
Then said Avishai to David, God has delivered up your enemy into your hand this day: now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the eretz at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.
9
David said to Avishai, Don't destroy him; for who can put forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?
10
David said, As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish.
11
The LORD forbid that I should put forth my hand against the LORD's anointed: but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.