1And the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding himself in the hill of Hachilah, before Jeshimon?"
2And Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand chosen men (ish) of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David was dwelling in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul had come after him into the wilderness.
4And David sent spies, and knew that Saul had certainly come.
5And David arose and came to the place where Saul had camped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host; and Saul was lying within the barricade, and the people were camped around him.
6And David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, "Who will go down with me to Saul, to the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you."
7And David and Abishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul was lying asleep within the barricade, and his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people were lying around him.
8And Abishai said to David, "God has shut up your enemy today into your hand; and now let me strike him, please, with the spear into the ground, one time, and I will not do it a second time to him."
9And David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can put forth his hand against the anointed of YHWH and be guiltless?"
10And David said, "As YHWH lives (chai), surely YHWH will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be swept away.
11Far be it from me, from YHWH, that I should put forth my hand against the anointed of YHWH; but now take, please, the spear that is at his head, and the jug of water, and let us go."
12And David took the spear and the jug of water from Saul's head, and they went their way; and no one saw, and no one knew, and no one awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from YHWH had fallen upon them.
13And David passed over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; the space between them was great.
14And David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" And Abner answered and said, "Who are you who calls to the king?"
15And David said to Abner, "Are you not a man (ish)? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord.
16This thing that you have done is not good. As YHWH lives (chai), you are sons of death, because you have not kept watch over your lord, over the anointed of YHWH. And now, see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was at his head."
17And Saul recognized the voice of David, and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David said, "It is my voice, my lord the king."
18And he said, "Why is this, that my lord pursues after his servant? For what have I done, and what evil is in my hand?
19And now, let my lord the king, please, hear the words of his servant: if YHWH has stirred you up against me, let Him smell an offering; but if it is the sons of man (adam), cursed are they before YHWH, for they have driven me out this day from joining myself to the inheritance of YHWH, saying, 'Go, serve (avad) other gods.'
20And now, let not my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of YHWH; for the king of Israel has come out to seek one flea, as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."
21And Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not do you harm again, because my soul (nephesh) was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly and have erred very greatly."
22And David answered and said, "Behold the king's spear! Let one of the young men come over and take it.
23And YHWH will return to each man (ish) his righteousness and his faithfulness; for YHWH gave you today into my hand, but I would not put forth my hand against the anointed of YHWH.
24And behold, as your soul (nephesh) was great this day in my eyes, so let my soul (nephesh) be great in the eyes of YHWH, and may He deliver me from all distress."
25And Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David; you shall both surely do and surely prevail." And David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.