1 ¶ Then the Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah, saying, David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon.

2 So Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to hunt for David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3 And Saul pitched camp on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road to Jeshimon. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he heard that Saul had come into the wilderness after him.

4 So David sent out spies, and discovered that Saul had indeed come.

5 Then David got up, and went to the place where Saul had camped: and David saw the place where Saul, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army, were lying: now Saul was lying in the encampment, with the troops encamped around him.

6 ¶ Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, Who will go down with me into the camp of Saul? And Abishai said, I will go down with you.

7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the encampment, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head: but Abner and the troops were lying around him.

8 Then Abishai said to David, Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand: therefore, I pray you, let me strike him to the earth at once with the spear, and I will not strike him a second time.

9 But David said to Abishai, Do not kill him: for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?

10 David then said, As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him; or his day of death will come; or he will go down in battle, and perish.

11 May the LORD keep me from stretching out my hand against the LORD’S anointed: but, I pray you, take the spear that is at his head, and the bottle of water, and let us leave.

12 So David took the spear and the bottle of water that was by Saul’s head; and they left, and no one saw it, or knew it, or awakened: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD had come upon them.

13 ¶ Then David went over to the other side, and stood afar off on the top of a hill; a great distance being between them:

14 And David shouted to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Will you answer Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you who shouts to the king?

15 And David said to Abner, Are not you a valiant man? and who is like to you in Israel? why then have you not protected your lord the king? for one of the people came into the camp to destroy the king your lord.

16 What you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not protected your master, the LORD’S anointed. Look around and discover where the king’s spear, and the bottle of water that was by his head, is.

17 Then Saul recognized David’s voice, and said, Is that your voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

18 And he said, Why is my lord pursuing his servant? what have I done? what evil is in my hand?

19 Therefore, I pray you, let my lord the king now hear the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it is the children of men, let them be cursed before the LORD; for this day they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

20 Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the LORD’S presence: for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.

21 ¶ Then Saul said, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no longer do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred greatly.

22 And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! let one of the young men come over and get it.

23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his loyalty: for today the LORD delivered you into my hand, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’S anointed.

24 And, behold, as your life was precious today in my sight, so let my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

25 Then Saul said to David, May you be blessed, my son David: you will both do great things, and will prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his home.