1 Samuel 26:4-25

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 1Abner 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 2the Hittite and to 3Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who 4will 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 5to the ground with one stroke, and I will not 6strike him the second time.” 9But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for 7who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?” 10David also said, “As the Lord lives, 8surely the Lord will strike him, or 9his day will come that he dies, or 10he will go down into battle and perish. 1111The 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 12a 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 1314must 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, “15Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.” 18He also said, “16Why 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 17the Lord has stirred you up against me, 18let Him 19accept an offering; but 20if it is 21men, cursed are they before the Lord, for 22they 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 23a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

21Then Saul said, “24I 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. 2325The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but 26I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24Now behold, as your life was 27highly valued in my sight this day, so may my life be highly valued in the sight of the Lord, and may He 28deliver me from all distress.” 25Then Saul said to David, “29Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.” So 30David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.