1The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and reported, 'David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon.'
2So Saul got up and went down to the desert of Ziph, taking three thousand of Israel's best soldiers to look for David.
3Saul made camp on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon along the road. David was staying in the desert when he saw that Saul was following him.
4So David sent out scouts and confirmed that Saul had definitely arrived.
5Then David set out and went to the place where Saul was camped. He observed where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the army commander, had settled down. Saul was lying inside the camp, surrounded by the troops.
6David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah — Joab's brother — 'Who will go with me down into the camp to Saul?' 'I'll go with you,' said Abishai.
7That night David and Abishai crept into the camp. Saul was lying there asleep, his spear stuck in the ground beside his head, with Abner and the troops lying around him.
8Abishai said to David, 'Today God has given your enemy into your hands. Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear — I won't even need a second blow.'
9But David replied, 'Don't kill him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?'
10David added, 'As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike him down — whether his time comes and he dies naturally, or he falls in battle. But I will not lift my hand against him.'
11'May the LORD never allow me to harm his anointed. Now take the spear and the water jug near his head, and let's get out of here.'
12So David took the spear and the water jug from beside Saul's head, and they left. No one saw them or knew about it — no one woke up, because the LORD had put all of them into a deep sleep.
13David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of a hill far away, at a great distance from Saul's camp.
14He shouted across to the army and to Abner son of Ner, 'Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?' Abner replied, 'Who are you to shout at the king?'
15David answered, 'You are a great man, aren't you, Abner? Who in Israel is your equal? So why didn't you guard your master the king? Someone came to attack the king your master.'
16'What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you did not protect your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you — where is the king's spear, and the water jug that was beside his head?'
17Saul recognized David's voice and said, 'Is that your voice, David my son?' 'Yes it is, my lord the king,' David replied.
18Then David asked, 'Why is my lord pursuing me? What have I done? What crime am I guilty of?'
19'Now please hear me out, my lord. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may an offering appease him. But if it is people who have done this, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have driven me away today so that I no longer have a share in the LORD's inheritance. They are telling me: Go serve other gods.'
20'So do not let me die far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, as one might hunt a partridge in the mountains.'
21Then Saul said, 'I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you valued my life today, I will not try to harm you again. I have acted like a fool and made a terrible mistake.'
22David replied, 'Here is the king's spear. Send one of your young men over to get it.'
23'The LORD gives to each person what his righteousness and faithfulness deserve. Today the LORD gave you into my hands, but I would not raise my hand against the LORD's anointed.'
24'As I valued your life today, may the LORD value my life and rescue me from all trouble.'
25Saul said to David, 'May you be blessed, David my son! You will do great things and will certainly win.' Then David went on his way, and Saul returned home.