David Spares Saul a Second Time
1The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Isn’t David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, facing Jeshimon?” 2So Saul set out and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, with three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, facing Jeshimon, beside the road, while David stayed in the wilderness. When David saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness, 4he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had indeed arrived. 5Then David set out and went to the place where Saul was camped. David saw the spot where Saul lay sleeping, with Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, beside him. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the troops camped around him. 6David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” “I will go with you,” said Abishai. 7So David and Abishai came to the troops at night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. 8Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear — I won’t need a second.” 9But David said to Abishai, “Do not kill him! Who can raise a hand against Yahweh’s anointed and be innocent?” 10David said, “As surely as Yahweh lives, Yahweh himself will strike him down — either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11Yahweh forbid that I should raise my hand against Yahweh’s anointed! Now then, take the spear by his head and the water jug, and let’s go.” 12So David took the spear and the water jug from beside Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw it, no one knew, and no one woke up — they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them.
David Confronts Abner
13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of a hill some distance away, with a wide space between them. 14David called out to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner?” Abner answered, “Who are you, calling out to the king?” 15David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then didn’t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to kill your lord the king. 16What you have done is not good. As surely as Yahweh lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your lord, Yahweh’s anointed. Now look — where is the king’s spear, and the water jug that was by his head?” 17Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.” 18He continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What wrong is in my hand? 19Now then, let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If it is Yahweh who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering. But if it is men, may they be cursed before Yahweh, for they have driven me out today from sharing in Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20So now, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of Yahweh. The king of Israel has come out to look for a single flea, like one hunting a partridge in the mountains.”
Saul Confesses His Fault Again
21Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will not harm you again, since my life was precious in your eyes today. I have been a fool, and I have made a very great mistake.” 22David answered, “Here is the king’s spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23Yahweh repays every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. Yahweh handed you over to me today, but I would not raise my hand against Yahweh’s anointed. 24Just as I valued your life highly today, so may Yahweh value my life, and may he deliver me from all trouble.” 25Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son. You will do great things, and you will surely succeed.” Then David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
