[1] The Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doesn`t David hide himself
in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert? [2] Then Saul arose,
and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men
of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. [3] Saul
encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before the desert, by the way.
But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into
the wilderness. [4] David therefore sent out spies, and understood that
Saul was come of a certainty. [5] David arose, and came to the place where
Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the
son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay within the place of the
wagons, and the people were encamped round about him. [6] Then answered
David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah,
brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?
Abishai said, I will go down with you. [7] So David and Abishai came to the
people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the
wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the
people lay round about him. [8] Then said Abishai 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 earth at one stroke, and I will not
strike him the second time. [9] David said to Abishai, Don`t destroy him;
for who can put forth his hand against Yahweh`s anointed, and be guiltless?
[10] David said, As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will strike him; or his day shall
come to die; or he shall go down into battle and perish. [11] Yahweh forbid
that I should put forth my hand against Yahweh`s anointed: but now please
take the spear that is at his head, and the jar of water, and let us go.
[12] So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul`s head; and
they got them away: and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake;
for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh was fallen on
them. [13] Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of
the mountain afar off; a great space being between them; [14] and David
cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Don`t you answer,
Abner? Then Abner answered, Who are you who cries to the king? [15] David
said to Abner, Aren`t you a [valiant] man? and who is like you in Israel?
why then have you not kept watch over your lord, the king? for there came
one of the people in to destroy the king your lord. [16] This thing isn`t
good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because
you have not kept watch over your lord, Yahweh`s anointed. Now see where
the king`s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head. [17] Saul
knew David`s voice, and said, Is this your voice, my son David? David said,
It is my voice, my lord, O king. [18] He said, Why does my lord pursue
after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand? [19]
Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant.
If it be Yahweh that has stirred you up against me, let him accept an
offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Yahweh:
for they have driven me out this day that I shouldn`t cling to Yahweh`s
inheritance, saying, Go, serve other gods. [20] Now therefore, don`t let my
blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Yahweh: for the king of
Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one does hunt a partridge in the
mountains. [21] Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I
will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this
day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. [22] David
answered, Behold the spear, O king! let then one of the young men come over
and get it. [23] Yahweh will render to every man his righteousness and his
faithfulness; because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, and I
wouldn`t put forth my hand against Yahweh`s anointed. [24] Behold, as your
life was much set by this day in my eyes, so let my life be much set by in
the eyes of Yahweh, and let him deliver me out of all oppression. [25] Then
Saul said to David, Blessed be you, my son David: you shall both do
mightily, and shall surely prevail. So David went his way, and Saul
returned to his place.
