1 Samuel 26

And the Ziphites come from the parched land to Saul at the hill, saying, Behold, David is sheltering among us in the hill of Echela, which is over against Iessaimoun.

And Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand chosen men out of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

And Saul encamped on the hill of Echela, facing Iessaimoun, by the road; and David dwelt in the wilderness, and David saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness.

And David sent out spies, and knew that Saul had come ready from Keila.

And David arose secretly and enters the place where Saul was sleeping there, and there also Abenner son of Ner, his commander-in-chief; and Saul was sleeping in the covered wagon, and the people were encamped around him.

And David answered and said to Achimelech the Chettite and to Abessa son of Sarouia, brother of Joab, saying, Who will go in with me to Saul, into the camp? And Abessa said, I will go in with you.

And David and Abessa enter among the people by night, and behold, Saul was lying asleep in the covered wagon, and the spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abenner and his people were sleeping around him.

And Abessa said to David, The Lord has shut up your enemy today into your hands. And now let me strike him with the spear to the ground once, and I will not do it to him a second time.

And David said to Abessa, Do not bring him low, for who shall lay his hand upon the anointed of the Lord and be held guiltless?

And David said, As the Lord lives, unless the Lord strike him, or his day come and he die, or he go down into battle and be gathered.

By no means may it be mine from the Lord to lay my hand upon the anointed of the Lord! And now take, I pray, the spear from at his head, and the flask of water, and let us go away by ourselves.

And David took the spear and the flask of water from at his head, and they went away by themselves; and there was no one seeing, and no one knowing, and no one waking up—all were sleeping, because a stupor from the Lord had fallen upon them.

And David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain afar off, and the way between them was great.

And David called out to the people, and spoke to Abenner, saying, Will you not answer, Abenner? And Abenner answered and said, Who are you that call me?

And David said to Abenner, Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? And why do you not guard your lord the king? For one of the people went in to destroy the king your lord.

And this thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you are sons of death, you who guard the king your lord, the anointed of the Lord. And now see, where is the king's spear and the flask of water, the things that were at his head?

And Saul recognised David's voice and said, Is this your voice, child David? And David said, Your servant, my lord king.

And he said, Why is this, that my lord pursues after his servant? For what have I sinned, and what wrong has been found in me?

And now let my lord the king hear the word of his servant: If God is stirring you up against me, may he smell your sacrifice; but if it is sons of men, cursed are these before the Lord, because they have driven me out today from being established in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.

And now let not my blood fall to the ground away from the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek my life, just as the night-raven pursues in the mountains.

And Saul said, I have sinned. Return, child David, for I will not do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. I have acted foolishly and have been exceedingly ignorant.

And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear; let one of the young men come over and take it.

And the Lord will return to each one his righteous deeds and his faithfulness, inasmuch as the Lord delivered you today into my hands, and I would not lay my hand upon the anointed of the Lord.

And behold, as your life was magnified today in this day in my eyes, so may my life be magnified before the Lord; and may he shelter me, and he will deliver me out of all affliction.

And Saul said to David, Blessed are you, child; and doing you shall do, and being able you shall prevail. And David went away on his road, and Saul returned to his place.