1The Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah and said, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which is in front of the desert, isn’t he?”
2So Saul got up and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, taking three thousand chosen men of Israel with him to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3Saul set up camp on the hill of Hachilah, which is in front of the desert, by the road. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was pursuing him there.
4David therefore sent out spies and confirmed that Saul had indeed arrived.
5Then David went to the place where Saul had camped. David saw where Saul was lying, with Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul was lying inside the wagon circle, with the rest of the people camped around him.
6Then David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” Abishai replied, “I will go down with you.”
7So David and Abishai went to the people that night. Saul was lying asleep inside the wagon circle, his spear stuck in the ground near 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. Please let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike him a second time.”
9David said to Abishai, “Don’t kill him, for who can attack Yahweh’s anointed and remain innocent?”
10David continued, “As Yahweh lives, Yahweh himself will strike him down—either his time to die will come, or he will go into battle and perish.
11May Yahweh forbid that I should lay a hand on Yahweh’s anointed. But now, please take the spear from his head and the water jar, and let’s go.”
12So David took the spear and the water jar from beside Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw them, knew about it, or woke up, because Yahweh had put them all into a deep sleep.
13Then David went to the other side and stood on top of a mountain far away, with a large space between them.
14And David called out to the people and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Abner, aren’t you going to answer?” Abner replied, “Who are you, calling out to the king?”
15David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who in Israel is like you? Why didn’t you protect your master, the king? One of the people came to kill your master, the king.
16This thing you’ve done is not good. As surely as Yahweh lives, you deserve to die because you didn’t protect your master, Yahweh’s chosen king. Now look, where is the king’s spear and the jar of water that was by his head?”
17Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, my son David?” David answered, “It is my voice, my master, O king.”
18David said, “Why is my master pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hands?
19Now, please let my master the king listen to the words of his servant. If Yahweh has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is people who have done this, may they be cursed before Yahweh, for they have driven me out today from clinging to Yahweh’s inheritance, telling me, ‘Go, serve other gods!’
20Now, please don’t let my blood be spilled on the ground far from Yahweh’s presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, like someone hunting a partridge in the mountains.”
21Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, my son David, for I will not harm you again, because my life was precious in your eyes today. Look, I have acted foolishly and made a terrible mistake.”
22David answered, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and get it.
23Yahweh will reward everyone for their righteousness and loyalty, because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, but I would not lift my hand against Yahweh’s chosen king.
24Just as your life was valued in my eyes today, so may my life be valued in Yahweh’s eyes, and may he rescue me from all trouble.”
25Then Saul said to David, “You are blessed, my son David. You will succeed greatly and certainly overcome.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.