David Spares Saul in the Camp

The people of Ziph told Saul where David was hiding, on the hill of Hachilah near the wilderness. Saul took three thousand chosen men from Israel and went to search for David. David stayed in the wilderness, sent spies, and learned for certain that Saul had come. Then David went to see where Saul had camped.

David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, Joab’s brother, who would go down with him into Saul’s camp. Abishai went with him at night. Saul was asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head, and Abner and the soldiers lay around him.

Abishai said this was the moment to strike Saul with the spear. But David stopped him. He would not raise his hand against the Lord’s anointed king. David said the Lord himself would deal with Saul in his own time, whether by death or in battle. Instead, he told Abishai to take the spear and the jar of water.

David and Abishai took the spear and water jar and left. No one saw them or woke up, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on the camp. Then David stood far away on the top of the mountain and called out to the people and to Abner, asking why Abner had not guarded the king.

When Saul recognised David’s voice, David asked why the king kept chasing him and what wrong he had done. He said that if people had stirred Saul up, they were driving him away from the Lord’s inheritance. He begged Saul not to hunt him like a flea or like a partridge in the mountains. Saul said he had sinned and acted foolishly. David offered back the spear and said the Lord rewards righteousness and faithfulness. Then David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.