1 Samuel 26:5-16 ▼

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?

10 David said furthermore, As the LORD lives, the LORD shall smite him; or the day of his death shall come; or he will be smitten in battle and perish.

11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed; but now take the spear that is by his bedside, and the jug of water, and let us go.

12 So David took the spear and the jug of water from Saul's bedside; and they went away, and no man saw it nor knew it, neither awaked, for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.

13 Then David went over to the other side from Saul, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great space being between them;

14 And David called to the king and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Will you not answer, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who are you that calls to the king?

15 And David said to Abner, Are you not a valiant man? And who is like you in all Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For there came in one of the people today to destroy your lord the king.

16 This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was at his bedside.