1Sa 26 | ABEn | STEP | And [ 3 come 1 the 2 Ziphites] to the hill to Saul, saying, Behold, David is sheltered with us in the hill of Hachilah, against the face of Jeshimon.

‏ 1 Samuel 26

CHAPTER 26 Saul Seeks David's Life in the Wilderness

1 And [³come ¹the ²Ziphites] to the hill to Saul, saying, Behold, David is sheltered with us in the hill of Hachilah, against the face of Jeshimon. 2 And Saul rose up, and went down unto the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand [²men ¹chosen] of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, against the face of Jeshimon, upon the way. And David stayed in the wilderness. And David saw that Saul comes after him into the wilderness. 4 And David sent spies, and he knew that Saul was come prepared from there. 5 And David rose up in private, and went into the place where [²was sleeping ³there ¹Saul]. And David saw the place where [²went to bed ³there ¹Saul]. And Abner son of Ner his commander-in-chief was there. And Saul was sleeping in the royal chariot, and the people were camping round about him. 6 And David responded and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, Who shall enter with me to Saul, into the camp? And Abishai said, I shall enter with you.

David Takes Saul's Spear

7 And they enter, David and Abishai, among the people at night. And behold, Saul was sleeping a deep sleep in the royal chariot, and his spear was sticking in the ground by his head, and Abner and the people slept round about him. 8 And Abishai said to David, the lord locked up today your enemy into your hands. And now I shall indeed strike him with the spear into the earth once, and I should not repeat it a second time against him. 9 And David said to Abishai, you should not utterly destroy him. For who shall bear his hand against the anointed one of the lord, and be acquitted? 10 And David said, As the lord lives, that if the lord should not smite him, or his day should come and he should die, or by battle should go down and be added to his fathers; 11 then it is by no means to me from the lord to bear my hand against the anointed one of the lord. And now, take indeed the spear from before his head, and the flask of the water, and we shall go forth. 12 And David took the spear and the flask of the water from before his head, and they went forth. And there was not one seeing, and there was not one knowing, and there was not one awakening -- all were sleeping, for a stupefaction from the lord fell upon them. 13 And David passed over to the other side, and stood upon the top of the mountain far off, and a long way between them. 14 And David called the people, and he spoke to Abner son of Ner, saying, Will you not answer, Abner? And Abner answered and said, Who are you, calling me? 15 And David said to Abner, Are [²not ³a man ¹you]? And who is as you in Israel? And why do you not guard your master the king? For [⁵entered ¹one ²of ³the ⁴people] to destroy your master the king. 16 [²is not ³a good ⁴thing ¹this] which you have done. As lives the lord, for [²sons ³of death ¹you are], the ones not guarding the king, your master, the anointed one of the lord. And now see where [⁵is ¹the ²spear ³of the ⁴king], and the flask of the water, the things by his head! 17 And Saul recognized the voice of David, and he said, [²your voice ¹Is this] son David? And David said, My voice my master; your servant, O king. 18 And he said, Why is this [²pursues ¹my master] after his servant? For in what have I sinned? And what [²was found ³in ⁴me ¹offence]? 19 And now let [⁴hear ⁵indeed ¹my master ²the ³king] the words of his servant! If God stirs you against me, then may [²smell acceptable ¹your sacrifice]. And if the sons of men, then let these be accursed before the lord, for they cast me out today to not be fixed firmly in the inheritance of the lord, saying, Go serve other gods! 20 And now [³not ¹may ⁴fall ²my blood] upon the ground right opposite the face of the lord, that [⁴has come forth ¹the ²king ³of Israel] to seek [²flea ¹one], as [³pursues prey ¹the ²long-eared owl] in the mountains. 21 And Saul said, I have sinned. Return, son David! for I shall not do evil against you any more, because [²was valued ¹my life] in your eyes; and today I have acted in folly, and I am ignorant [²much ¹very]. 22 And David responded and said, Behold, the spear of the king. Let [⁵come through ¹indeed ²one ³of the ⁴servants] and take it! 23 And the lord will restore to each his righteousness and his trust; as [²delivered ³you ¹the lord] today into my hands, and I did not want to bear my hand against the anointed one of the lord. 24 And behold, as [²was magnified ¹your life] today in this, in my eyes, so may [²be magnified ¹my life] before the lord, and may he shelter me, and may he rescue me from out of all affliction. 25 And Saul said to David, Being blessed are you, son David, and by performing you shall perform, and in ability you shall be able. And David went forth on his way, and Saul returned to his place.