1The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite the wasteland?”
2So Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.
3Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite the wasteland, beside the road, while David was staying in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness,
4David sent out spies and learned that Saul had come to Nachon.
5Then David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped, and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army; Saul was lying within the camp-circle, and the troops were encamped around him.
6Then David spoke up and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”
7So David and Abishai came to the troops by night, and there was Saul lying asleep within the camp-circle, his spear stuck into the ground at his head, with Abner and the troops lying around him.
8Abishai said to David, “God has shut up your enemy into your hand today. Now let me pin him to the ground with the spear, just once — I will not do it a second time.”
9But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who has stretched out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed and gone unpunished?”
10And David said, “As Yahweh lives, surely Yahweh himself will strike him down, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be swept away.
11Far be it from me, before Yahweh, that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed! But now take the spear that is at his head and the water jug, and let us go.”
12So David took the spear and the water jug from beside Saul’s head, and they went off. No one saw, no one knew, and no one awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen upon them.
13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain far off, a great distance between them.
14And David called out to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” And Abner answered and said, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”
15David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then did you not keep watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.
16This thing you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, you deserve to die, because you did not keep watch over your lord, over Yahweh’s anointed. Now look where the king’s spear is, and the water jug that was at his head.”
17Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”
18He said further, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done, and what evil is in my hand?
19Now, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If it is Yahweh who has incited you against me, let him smell an offering; but if it is human beings, cursed are they before Yahweh, for they have driven me out today from a share in Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
20Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of Yahweh; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will do you no more harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Look, I have acted foolishly and have gone greatly astray.”
22David answered and said, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men cross over and take it.
23May Yahweh repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness — for Yahweh gave you into my hand today, but I was not willing to stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed.
24And just as your life was highly valued in my eyes this day, so may my life be highly valued in the eyes of Yahweh, and may he deliver me from all distress.”
25Then Saul said to David, “Blessed are you, my son David. You will surely do great things and will surely prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
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