1 Samuel 26:1-12

1Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “1Is David not keeping himself hidden on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite 2Jeshimon?” 2So Saul set out and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, 3taking with him 4three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3And Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite 5Jeshimon, 6beside the road, and David was staying in the wilderness. When 7he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness, 4David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming. 5David then set out and came to the place where Saul had camped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and 8Abner 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 9the Hittite and to 10Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who 11will 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 handed your enemy over to you; now then, please let me 12pin him with the spear to the ground with one thrust, and I will not 13do it to him a second time.” 9But David said to Abishai, “Do not 14kill him, for 15who can reach out with his hand against the Lord’s anointed and remain innocent?” 10David also said, “As the Lord lives, 16the Lord certainly will strike him, or 17his day will come that he dies, or 18he will go down in battle and 19perish. 1120The Lord forbid that I would reach out with 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’s go.” 12So David took the spear and the jug of water that were at Saul’s head, and they left; and no one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone awaken, for they were all asleep, because 21a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.