1 Samuel 26:1-9 ▼

1 THEN the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, Behold, David is hiding himself in Gibaoth-hawilah, which is before the wilderness.

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

3 And Saul encamped in Gibaoth-hawilah, which is before the wilderness by the wayside. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him in the wilderness.

4 David therefore sent out spies, and learned that Saul had come after him.

5 And David arose and came to the place where Saul was encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, was lying in the path, and the people were encamped round about him.

6 Then David said to Ahimeleck the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zoriah, Joab's brother, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul's camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with you.

7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay asleep in the path, with his spear lying on the ground by his bedside; and Abner and the people lay round about him.

8 Then said Abishai to David, Your God has delivered your enemy into your hands this day; now therefore let me smite him just once with this spear which is on the ground, and I will not smite him the second time.

9 But David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?