David Again Spares Saul
1Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.”26:1 1Sm 23:19; Ps 54
2So Saul, accompanied by three thousand of the fit young men of Israel,26:2 1Sm 13:2; 24:2 went immediately to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.
3Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah26:3 1Sm 24:3 opposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him.26:3 1Sm 23:15
4So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.
5Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner,26:5 1Sm 14:50–51; 17:55 the commander of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him.
6Then David asked Ahimelech the Hethite26:6 Gn 26:34; Jos 3:10; 1Kg 10:29; 2Kg 7:6 and Joab’s brother Abishai26:6 1Ch 2:15–16 son of Zeruiah, “Who will go with me into the camp26:6 Jdg 7:10–11 to Saul?”
“I’ll go with you,” answered Abishai.
7That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him.
8Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice!”
9But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?” 26:9 1Sm 10:1; 24:6–7; 2Sm 1:14,16
12So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord26:12 Gn 2:21; 15:12 came over them.
13David crossed to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance; there was a considerable space between them.
14Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner?”
“Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner asked.
15David called to Abner, “You’re a man, aren’t you? Who in Israel is your equal? So why didn’t you protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?
“It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.
18Then he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What crime have I committed?26:18 1Sm 24:11
19Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is the Lord who has incited you against me,26:19 2Sm 16:11 then may he accept an offering.26:19 Gn 8:21 But if it is people,26:19 1Sm 24:9 may they be cursed in the presence of the Lord, for today they have banished me from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying,26:19 Jos 22:25–27 ‘Go and worship other gods.’
22David answered, “Here is the king’s spear; have one of the young men come over and get it.
23The Lord will repay every man for his righteousness26:23 1Sm 24:19 and his loyalty. I wasn’t willing to lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed, even though the Lord handed you over to me today.26:23 1Sm 24:10–12; 26:10–11
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