1 Samuel 26 (AMP) - The Ziphites came to Saul

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The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding on the hill of Hachilah, east of Jeshimon?”

1Sa 26:2So Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, taking with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David [there] in the wilderness of Ziph.

1Sa 26:3

1Sa 26:3Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road east of Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came into the wilderness after him,

1Sa 26:4

1Sa 26:4David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.

1Sa 26:5

1Sa 26:5So David arose and went to the place where Saul had camped, and saw the spot where Saul lay, as well as Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army; and Saul was lying inside the circle of the camp, with the army camped around him.

1Sa 26:6

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1Sa 26:6

Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” And Abishai said, “I will go down with you.”

1Sa 26:7

1Sa 26:7So David and Abishai went to the army during the night, and there was Saul lying asleep inside the circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him.

1Sa 26:8

1Sa 26:8Then Abishai said to David, “God has given your enemy into your hand this day; now then, please let me strike him with the spear driving it to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.”

1Sa 26:9

1Sa 26:9But David said to Abishai, “Do not kill him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’S anointed [king] and be guiltless (innocent)?”

1Sa 26:10

1Sa 26:10David also said, “As the LORD lives, most certainly the LORD will strike him [in His own time and way], or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be carried off [dead].

1Sa 26:11

1Sa 26:11“The LORD forbid that I would put out my hand against the LORD’S anointed; but now take the spear that is by his head and the jug of water, and let us go.”

1Sa 26:12

1Sa 26:12So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul’s head, and they left, and no one saw or knew nor did anyone awaken, because they were all sound asleep, for a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

1Sa 26:13

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1Sa 26:13

Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain at a distance, with a large area between them.

1Sa 26:14

1Sa 26:14David called to the army and to Abner the son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Abner replied, “Who are you who calls [and disturbs] the king?”

1Sa 26:15

1Sa 26:15David said to Abner, “Are you not a [brave] man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came [into your camp] to kill the king your lord.

1Sa 26:16

1Sa 26:16“This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you surely [fn]deserve to die, because you have not guarded your lord, the LORD’S anointed. And now, see where the king’s spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head.”

1Sa 26:17

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1Sa 26:17

Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king!”

1Sa 26:18

1Sa 26:18And David said, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

1Sa 26:19

1Sa 26:19“Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD has incited you against me, let Him accept an offering [from me]; but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, because they have driven me out this day to keep me from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’

1Sa 26:20

1Sa 26:20“Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as when one hunts a [defenseless] partridge in the mountains.”

1Sa 26:21

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1Sa 26:21

Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life was precious in your sight this day. Hear me, I have played the fool and have done a very great wrong [to you].”

1Sa 26:22

1Sa 26:22David answered, “Look, here is the king’s spear! Now let one of the young men come over and get it.

1Sa 26:23

1Sa 26:23“The LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD handed you over to me today, but I refused to put out my hand against the LORD’S anointed.

1Sa 26:24

1Sa 26:24“Now behold, just as your life was precious in my sight this day, so let my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may He rescue me from all distress.”

1Sa 26:25

1Sa 26:25Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David; you will both accomplish much and certainly prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

1 Samuel 26 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

David Again Spares Saul

AMP Footnotes