1Samuel:26

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* Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah , saying , "Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah , opposite Jeshimon ?" * 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 . * And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah , which is opposite Jeshimon , by the road . But David stayed in the wilderness , and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness . * David therefore sent out spies , and understood that Saul had indeed come . * So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped . And David saw the place where Saul lay , and Abner the son of Ner , the commander of his army . Now Saul lay within the camp , with the people encamped all around him . * Then David answered , and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah , brother of Joab , saying , "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp ?" And Abishai said , "I will go down with you ." * So David and Abishai came to the people by night ; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp , with his spear stuck in the ground by his head . And Abner and the people lay all around him . * Then Abishai said to David , "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day . Now therefore , please , let me strike him at once with the spear , right to the earth ; and I will not have to strike him a second time !" * But David said to Abishai , "Do not destroy him ; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD 's anointed , and be guiltless ?" * David said furthermore , "As the LORD lives , the LORD shall strike him , or his day shall come to die , or he shall go out to battle and perish . * The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD 's anointed . But please , take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head , and let us go ." * So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul 's head , and they got away ; and no man saw or knew it or awoke . For they were all asleep , because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them . * Now David went over to the other side , and stood on the top of a hill afar off , a great distance being between them . * And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner , saying , "Do you not answer , Abner ?" Then Abner answered and said , "Who are you , calling out to the king ?" * So David said to Abner , "Are you not a man ? And who is like you in Israel ? Why then have you not guarded 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 , you deserve 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 by his head ." * Then Saul knew David 's voice , and said , "Is that your voice , my son David ?" David said , "It is my voice , my lord , O king ." * And he said , "Why does my lord thus pursue his servant ? For what have I done , or what evil is in my hand ? * Now therefore , 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 children of men , may they be cursed before the LORD , for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD , saying , "Go , serve other gods .' * So now , do not let 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 ." * Then Saul said , "I have sinned . Return , my son David . For I will harm you no more , because my life was precious in your eyes this day . Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly ." * And David answered and said , "Here is the king 's spear . Let one of the young men come over and get it . * May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness ; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today , but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD 's anointed . * And indeed , as your life was valued much this day in my eyes , so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD , and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation ." * Then Saul said to David , "May you be blessed , my son David ! You shall both do great things and also still prevail ." So David went on his way , and Saul returned to his place .

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