1 Samuel 26

David Again Spares Saul

1Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “1Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which is before 2Jeshimon?” 2So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having with him 3three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before 4Jeshimon, 5beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When 6he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness, 4David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming. 5David then arose and came to the place where Saul had camped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and 7Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was lying in the circle of the camp, and the people were camped around him.

6Then David said to Ahimelech 8the Hittite and to 9Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who 10will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.” 7So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul lay sleeping inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him. 8Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear 11to the ground with one stroke, and I will not 12strike him the second time.” 9But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for 13who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?” 10David also said, “As the Lord lives, 14surely the Lord will strike him, or 15his day will come that he dies, or 16he will go down into battle and perish. 1117The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go.” 12So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul’s head, and they went away, but no one saw or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because 18a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.

13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them. 14David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?” 15So David said 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 people came to destroy the king your lord. 16This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you 1920must surely die, because you did not guard your lord, the Lord’s anointed. And now, see where the king’s spear is and the jug of water that was at his head.”

17Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “21Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.” 18He also said, “22Why then is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand? 19Now therefore, please let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If 23the Lord has stirred you up against me, 24let Him 25accept an offering; but 26if it is 27men, cursed are they before the Lord, for 28they have driven me out today so that I would have no attachment with the inheritance of the Lord, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the Lord; for the king of Israel has come out to search for 29a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

21Then Saul said, “30I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.” 22David replied, “Behold the spear of the king! Now let one of the young men come over and take it. 2331The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but 32I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24Now behold, as your life was 33highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He 34deliver me from all distress.” 25Then Saul said to David, “35Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.” So 36David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.