David Again Spares Saul

1Then the Ziphites (smelters) came to Saul (desired) at Gibeah (hill) and said, “Is not David (beloved) hiding on the hill of Hachilah (dark), opposite Jeshimon?” 2So Saul (desired), accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel (he wrestles with God), went down to the Wilderness of Ziph (battlement) to search for David (beloved) there.

3Saul (desired) camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah (dark) opposite Jeshimon, but David (beloved) was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there, 4David (beloved) sent out spies to verify that Saul (desired) had arrived.

5Then David (beloved) set out and went to the place where Saul (desired) had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp), the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him. 6And David (beloved) asked Ahimelech (my brother is king) the Hittite and Abishai (my father is a gift) son of Zeruiah (balsam), Joab’s (YHWH is father) brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul (desired) in the camp?”

“I will go with you,” answered Abishai.

7That night David (beloved) and Abishai (my father is a gift) came to the troops, and Saul (desired) was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner (my father is a lamp) and the troops were lying around him.

8Abishai (my father is a gift) said to David (beloved), “Today God {Elohim} has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!”

9But David (beloved) said to Abishai (my father is a gift), “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s {YHWH} anointed and be guiltless?” 10David (beloved) added, “As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11But the LORD {YHWH} forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

12So David (beloved) took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head (desired), and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD {YHWH} had fallen on them.

David Reproves Abner

13Then David (beloved) crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them. 14And David (beloved) shouted to the troops and to Abner (my father is a lamp) son of Ner (lamp), “Will you not answer me, Abner?”

“Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.

15So David (beloved) said to Abner (my father is a lamp), “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel (he wrestles with God) is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him? 16This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives, all of you⁺ deserve to die, since you⁺ did not protect your⁺ lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”

17Then Saul (desired) recognized David’s (beloved) voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?”

“It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

18And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? 19Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD {YHWH} has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’ 20So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD {YHWH}. For the king of Israel (he wrestles with God) has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

Saul Acknowledges His Sin

21Then Saul (desired) replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David (beloved) my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

22“Here is the king’s spear,” David (beloved) answered. “Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23May the LORD {YHWH} repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. 24As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD {YHWH} value my life and rescue me from all trouble.”

25Saul (desired) said to him (beloved), “May you be blessed, David my son. You will accomplish great things and will surely prevail.”

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.