1 Samuel 26:1-16 ▼

1 And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, upon the face of Jeshimon?”

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

3 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is upon the face of Jeshimon, by the road. And David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness.

4 And David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul had come to Nachon.

5 And David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped there. And David saw the place where Saul lay there, and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army. And Saul lay within the camp, and the people encamped all around him.

6 And David answered and spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

7 And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, and his spear was pressed into the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him.

8 And Abishai said to David, “God has delivered this day your enemy into your hand. And now let me strike him, please, with the spear and into the earth with one stroke; and I will not need repeat it to him.”

9 And David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the anointed of YHWH and be guiltless?”

10 And David said, “As YHWH lives, if rather YHWH shall strike him, or his day shall come and he will die, or he shall go out to the battle and perish.

11 Far be it from me by YHWH to stretch out my hand against the anointed of YHWH. And take, please, the spear that is by his head, and the jug of water, and let us go.”

12 And David took the spear and the jug of water by the head of Saul, and they went away to them, and no one saw it, and no one knew it, and no one awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from YHWH had fallen on them.

13 And David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill afar off, a great distance between them.

14 And David called out to the people and to Abner son of Ner, saying, “Do you not answer, Abner?” And Abner answered and said, “Who are you calling out to the king?”

15 And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? And why have you not watched over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.

16 This thing that you have done is not good. As YHWH lives, surely you? deserve to die, because you? have not watched over your? master, over the anointed of YHWH. And now see, where is the spear of the king and the jug of water that was by his head?”