1And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, and said, “David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah, which overlooks Jeshimon.” 2Then Saul went down to the wilderness of Ziph, with three thousand chosen men of Israel, to look for David there. 3And Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, facing Jeshimon. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he heard that Saul had followed him there. 4David then sent out scouts, and confirmed that Saul had indeed come. 5And David came to the place where Saul had camped; and he observed the place where Saul lay in the trench, with Abner, son of Ner, the commander of his army; with his men camped all around him. 6Then David said to Ahimelech, the Hittite, and Abishai, son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, “Who will go down with me into their camp to Saul?” And Abishai said, “I will go with you.” 7So David and Abishai went down under cover of darkness; and found Saul sleeping within the trench, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head; but Abner and the people lay around him. 8Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand today; now let me pin him to the earth with his spear at once, and I will not strike him a second time.” 9And David told Abishai, “Do not kill him; for who can lay his hand upon the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless? 10As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall perish in battle. 11The God forbid that I should lay my hand upon the LORD's anointed. But do take the spear that is by his head, and his cruse (jar) of water, and let us go.” 12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head; and they got away, and no man saw or knew it, nor awakened; for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.

13Then David crossed over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill at a distance; with a wide space between them. 14And David shouted to the people, and to Abner, son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?” 15And David called to Abner, “Are you not a valiant man? And who is like you in all Israel? Why, then, have you not guarded your lord, the king? For someone came in to kill him. 16Your negligence is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not protected your master, the LORD's anointed. And now look where the king's spear is, and his jar of water that was at his head.” 17And Saul recognized David's voice, and said, “Is that you, my son David?” And David said, “It is I, my lord, O king. 18And why are you pursuing your servant? What have I done? Or what evil am I guilty of? 19Now let the king hear these words of his servant: if the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it is men who have stirred you up against me, may they be cursed before the LORD; for they have driven me from my share in the inheritance of the LORD, and said, ‘Go, serve pagan gods.’ 20Therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth far from the presence and eyes of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out looking for a flea, like someone hunting a partridge in the mountains.” 21Then Saul said, “I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your sight today. Look, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.” 22And David said, “Behold the king's spear! Let one of your young men come over and fetch it. 23The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not lay a hand upon the LORD's anointed. 24And as your life was much esteemed in my eyes this day, so let my life be much esteemed in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all trouble.” 25Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David; you shall both do great things, and you shall also still triumph.” And so David went on his way, and Saul returned home.