David Again Spares Saul

1And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, upon the face of Jeshimon?” 2And 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.

3And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is upon the face of Jeshimon, by the road. And David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness. 4And David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul had come to Nachon.

5And David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped there. And David saw the place where Saul lay there, and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. And Saul lay within the camp, and the people encamped all around him. 6And David answered and spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”

And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

7And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, and his spear was pressed into the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him.

8And Abishai said to David, “God has delivered this day your enemy into your hand. And now let me strike him, please, with the spear and into the earth with one stroke; and I will not need repeat it to him.”

9And David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the anointed of YHWH and be guiltless?” 10And David said, “As YHWH lives, if rather YHWH shall strike him, or his day shall come and he will die, or he shall go out to the battle and perish. 11Far be it from me by YHWH to stretch out my hand against the anointed of YHWH. And take, please, the spear that is by his head, and the jug of water, and let us go.”

12And David took the spear and the jug of water by the head of Saul, and they went away to them, and no one saw it, and no one knew it, and no one awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from YHWH had fallen on them.

David Reproves Abner

13And David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill afar off, a great distance between them. 14And David called out to the people and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?”

And Abner answered and said, “Who are you calling out to the king?”

15And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? And why have you not watched over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16This thing that you have done is not good. As YHWH lives, surely you⁺ deserve to die, because you⁺ have not watched over your⁺ master, over the anointed of YHWH. And now see, where is the spear of the king and the jug of water that was by his head?”

17And Saul knew the voice of David, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”

And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, the king.”

18And he said, “Why is this that my lord pursues after his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand? 19And now, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If YHWH has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the sons of man, may they be cursed before the face of YHWH. For they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of YHWH, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20And now, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of YHWH; for the king of Israel has come out to seek one flea, as one pursues the partridge in the mountains.”

Saul Acknowledges His Sin

21And Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will harm you no more, upon that my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly and erred exceedingly greatly.”

22And David answered and said, “Here is the spear of the king! And let one of the young men come over and get it. 23And may YHWH repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. For YHWH delivered you today into my hand, and I would not stretch out my hand against the anointed of YHWH. 24And behold, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of YHWH, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”

25And Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David; also you will accomplish great things, and you will surely prevail.”

And David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.