And the ZiphitescameuntoSaulto Gibeah, saying, Doth notDavidhide himselfin the hillof Hachilah, which is beforeJeshimon? Then Saularose, and went downtothe wildernessof Ziph, having threethousandchosenmenof Israelwithhim, to seekDavidin the wildernessof Ziph. And Saulpitchedin the hillof Hachilah, which is beforeJeshimon, bythe way. But Davidabodein the wilderness, and he sawthatSaulcameafterhim into the wilderness. Davidtherefore sent outspies, and understoodthatSaulwas come invery deed. And Davidarose, and cametothe placewhereSaulhad pitched: and Davidbeheldthe placewhereSaullay, and Abnerthe sonof Ner, the captainof his host: and Saullayin the trench, and the peoplepitchedround abouthim. Then answeredDavidand saidtoAhimelechthe Hittite, and toAbishaithe sonof Zeruiah, brotherto Joab, saying, Whowill go downwithme toSaultothe camp? And Abishaisaid, Iwill go downwiththee. So Davidand Abishaicametothe peopleby night: and, behold, Saullaysleepingwithin the trench, and his spearstuckin the groundat his bolster: but Abnerand the peoplelayround abouthim. Then saidAbishaitoDavid, Godhath deliveredthine enemyinto thine handthis day: nowtherefore let me smitehim, I pray thee, with the speareven to the earthat once, and I will not smite him the second time. And DavidsaidtoAbishai, Destroyhim not: forwhocan stretch forthhis handagainst the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless? Davidsaidfurthermore, As the LORDliveth, the LORDshall smitehim; orhis dayshall cometo die; orhe shall descendinto battle, and perish. The LORDforbidthat I should stretch forthmine handagainst the LORD's anointed: but, I pray thee, takethou nowthe spearthat is at his bolster, and the cruseof water, and let us go. So Davidtookthe spearand the cruseof waterfrom Saul's bolster; and they got them away, and noman saw it , norknew it , neitherawaked: forthey were allasleep; becausea deep sleepfrom the LORDwas fallenuponthem. Then Davidwent overto the other side, and stoodonthe topof a hillafar off; a greatspace being betweenthem: And Davidcriedtothe people, and toAbnerthe sonof Ner, saying, Answerestthou not, Abner? Then Abneransweredand said, Who art thou that criesttothe king? And DavidsaidtoAbner, Art notthoua valiant man? and who is like to theein Israel? whereforethen hast thou notkeptthy lordthe king? forthere cameoneof the peoplein to destroythe kingthy lord. Thisthing is notgoodthatthou hast done. As the LORDliveth, ye are worthyto die, becauseye have notkeptyour master, the LORD's anointed. And nowseewherethe king's spear is , and the cruseof waterthat was at his bolster. And SaulknewDavid's voice, and said, Is thisthy voice, my sonDavid? And Davidsaid, It is my voice, my lord, O king. And he said, Whereforedoth my lordthuspursueafterhis servant? forwhathave I done? or whatevil is in mine hand? Nowtherefore, I pray thee, let my lordthe kinghearthe wordsof his servant. Ifthe LORDhave stirred thee upagainst me, let him acceptan offering: but if they be the childrenof men, cursed be theybeforethe LORD; forthey have driven me outthis dayfrom abidingin the inheritanceof the LORD, saying, Go, serveothergods. Nowtherefore, let notmy bloodfallto the earthbeforethe faceof the LORD: forthe kingof Israelis come outto seeka flea, as whenonedoth hunta partridgein the mountains. Then saidSaul, I have sinned: return, my sonDavid: forI will nomoredo thee harm, becausemy soulwas preciousin thine eyesthisday: behold, I have played the fool, and have erredexceedingly. And Davidansweredand said, Beholdthe king's spear! and let oneof the young mencome overand fetchit. The LORDrenderto every manhis righteousnessand his faithfulness: forthe LORDdeliveredthee into my handtoday, but I wouldnotstretch forthmine handagainst the LORD's anointed. And, behold, asthy lifewas much setby thisdayin mine eyes, solet my lifebe much setby in the eyesof the LORD, and let him deliverme out of alltribulation. Then SaulsaidtoDavid, Blessed be thou, my sonDavid: thou shalt bothdo great things , and alsoshalt still prevail. So Davidwenton his way, and Saulreturnedto his place.