| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?" |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won't strike him twice." |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?" |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15David said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?" |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?" David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king." |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have driven me today from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.' |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea--as one hunts a partridge in the mountains." |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong." |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22"Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble." |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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