26 One time some Zifites went to Sha’ul at Gibeah and told him, “Isn’t David hiding himself on the Hakilah hill opposite Yeshimon?”[ref] 2 So Sha’ul got ready with three thousand chosen Israeli warriors and went to the Zif wilderness to search for David. 3 They camped at Hakilah hill (opposite Yeshimon) by the path, but David stayed in the wilderness when he saw the Sha’ul was there trying to get him. 4 (He’d sent some spies and knew that Sha’ul had definitely arrived.) 5 That night, David moved out and got to the place where Sha’ul had camped. He could see where Sha’ul was sleeping, along with Ner’s son Abner, his army commander. Sha’ul was asleep in the secure centre with his warriors all around him.

6 David spoke to Ahimelek (the Hittite) and to Abishai (son of Yoab’s brother Tseruiah) asking, “Who’ll go into the camp with me to Sha’ul?”

Abishai answered, “I will. I’ll go with you.”

7 So that night David and Abishai crept into the camp. Sha’ul was asleep there in the centre with his spear stuck into the ground near his head, and Abner and others were lying in a circle around him. 8 Abishai whispered to David, “Today God has arranged for you to defeat your enemy. So please let me pierce him now with the spear through him and into the ground. Only one strike will do it—I won’t have to strike him a second time.

9 “Don’t kill him,” David responded, “because who can attack Yahweh’s anointed king and be considered innocent?” 10 As Yahweh lives, he will certainly strike him, or else his time will come and he’ll die, or maybe he’ll go into battle and be swept away. 11 May Yahweh prevent me from harming Yahweh’s anointed one.[ref] Just grab the spear that’s by his head, and the jug of water, then we can get out of here.” 12 So David took the spear and water jug that were near Sha’ul’s head and then got out of there. No one saw them, and no one woke up or realised, because Yahweh had caused them all to fall into a deep sleep.

13 Then David crossed the valley and stood on the top of the opposite hill—quite a distance away 14 and called out to Abner and the camp, “Won’t you answer, Abner?”

“Who are you that’s shouting to the king?” Abner answered.

15 “Aren’t you a warrior?” David called out. “And who in Israel is as good as you? But why didn’t you watch over your master the king? Because one of the people came to destroy the king your master. 16 Your performance wasn’t good. As Yahweh lives, all of you who were supposed to be watching over your master, over Yahweh’s anointed one, deserve to be executed. Look around, where’s the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”

17 Then Sha’ul recognised David’s voice and called back, “Is that your voice, my son David?”

“Yes, it is my voice, my master the king.” David replied. 18 Then he asked, “Why is my master chasing his servant? What have I done? What wrong am I guilty of? 19 Now please listen, my master the king, to your servant’s words. If it’s Yahweh who’s incited you against me, may he accept an offering, but if it’s people, may they be cursed in front of Yahweh because they’ve driven me away from enjoying Yahweh’s inheritance for me,[fn] saying, ‘Go away and serve other gods.’ 20 So now, don’t let me die far from Yahweh’s presence. It seems that Israel’s king has come all this way to chase a flea, just like someone chases a wild bird in the hills.”

21 Sha’ul responded, “Yes, I’ve sinned. Go home, my son David. I won’t wrong you again, because you spared my life today. Yes, I’ve acted foolishly and been following the wrong path.”

22 “Look, here’s your spear.” David called back. “Get one of your young men to come across and get it. 23 May Yahweh repay each person for their obedience and faithfulness. Yahweh put you in a vulnerable position today, but I wasn’t willing to hurt Yahweh’s anointed king. 24 Just as I honoured your life today, so to may Yahweh honour my life and rescue me from all my difficulties.

25 “May you be blessed, my son David,” Sha’ul told David. “You certainly have both ability and the skill to use it.”

Then David went on his way and Sha’ul went back home.