1Samuel:26

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* And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah , saying , Is not David hiding himself in the hill of Hachilah , on the edge of the desert ? * And Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph , having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him . * And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah , which [is ] on the edge of the desert , by the highway . And David was staying in the wilderness . And he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness . * And David sent out spies and knew that Saul had come indeed . * And David arose and came to the place where Saul had pitched . And David saw the place where Saul lay . And Abner the son of Ner , the captain of his army , and Saul were lying within the barricade . And the people pitched all around him . * And David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite , and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah , the brother of Joab , saying , Who will go down with me to the camp to Saul ? And Abishai said , I will go down with you . * So David and Abishai came to the people by night . And behold , Saul lay sleeping in the tent , and his spear stuck in the ground at his head . But Abner and the people lay around him . * And Abishai said to David , God has shut up your enemy into your hand this day . And please let me strike him with the spear even to the earth at once , and I will not repeat [it ] to him . * And David said to Abishai , Do not destroy him . For who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD 's anointed and be guiltless ? * And David said , [As ] the LORD lives , except the LORD strike him , or his day shall come , and he dies , or he goes down to battle and is consumed , * far be it from me by the LORD , from putting forth my hand against the LORD 's anointed . And now , please take the spear at his head and the cruse of water , and we will go . * And David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul 's head . And they went away , and no one saw , and no one knew ; and no one was awake ; for all of them [were ] sleeping , because a deep sleep [from ] the LORD had fallen on them . * And David went over [to ] the other side and stood on the top of a hill afar off , a great space between them . * And David cried to the people and to Abner the son of Ner , saying , Do you not answer , Abner ? And Abner answered and said , Who [are ] you that cries to the king ? * And David said to Abner , [Are ] you not a man ? And who is like you in Israel ? But why have you not watched over your lord the king ? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king . * This thing that you have done [is ] not good . [As ] the LORD lives , because you have not watched over your master , the LORD 's anointed , you also are worthy to die . And now see where the king 's spear [is ], and the cruse of water that [was ] at his head . * And Saul knew David 's voice and said , [Is ] this your voice , my son David ? And David said , [It is ] my voice , my lord , O king . * And he said , Why does my lord pursue after his servant this way ? For what have I done ? Or what evil [is ] in my hand ? * And now , please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant . If the LORD has stirred you up against me , let Him accept an offering . But if [it is ] the sons of men , they [are ] cursed before the LORD . For they have driven me out today from joining myself with the inheritance of the LORD , saying , Go , serve other gods . * And now , let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD . For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea , as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains . * And Saul said , I have sinned . Return , my son David , for I will never do you harm any more , because my life was precious in your eyes this day . Behold , I have acted foolishly , and have greatly erred . * And David answered and said , Behold the king 's spear ! And let one of the young men come over and get it . * May the LORD give to each his righteousness and his faithfulness . For the LORD delivered you into [my ] hand today , but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORD 's anointed . * And behold , as your life was precious in my eyes this day , so let my life be precious in the eyes of the LORD , and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation . * And Saul said to David , Blessed [are ] you , my son David . You shall both do [great things ] and also shall still prevail . So David went on his way , and Saul returned to his place .

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