The Ziphites came to Shaul to Givah, saying, "Is not Dovid hiding himself in Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon?"

Shaul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, with him were three thousand chosen men of Yisroel, to search for Dovid in the wilderness of Ziph.

Shaul camped at Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon, by the road. Dovid was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Shaul had come after him, to the wilderness.

Dovid sent out scouts and he knew that Shaul had definitely come.

Dovid rose and came to the place where Shaul was camped. Dovid saw the place where they lay—Shaul and Avneir the son of Neir, the commander of his army; Shaul lay within the circle, and the people were camped around him.

Dovid spoke and said to Achimelech the Chiti and Avishai son of Tzeruyoh, Yo'av's brother, saying, "Who will go down with me to Shaul, to the camp?" And Avishai said, "I will go down with you."

So Dovid and Avishai came to the people at night, and behold, Shaul lay sleeping in the circle, his spear stuck into the ground at his head, and Avneir and the people lay around him.

Avishai said to Dovid, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now, let me strike him with the spear to the ground with a single thrust, I will not need a second time."

But Dovid said to Avishai, "Do not kill him, for who can send forth his hand against the anointed one of Adonoy and be free of guilt?"

Dovid said, "As Adonoy lives, Adonoy will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and perish.

Adonoy forbid me from sending forth my hand against Adonoy's anointed. Now, please take the spear that is near his head and the flask of water, and let us go."

Dovid took the spear and the flask of water from next to Shaul's head and they left without anyone seeing and without anyone knowing and without anyone waking up; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Adonoy had fallen upon them.

Dovid then crossed to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain at a distance. There was considerable distance between them.

Dovid called out to the people and to Avneir son of Neir, saying, "Will you not answer, Avneir?" Avneir answered and said, "Who are you to call out to the king?"

Dovid said to Avneir, "Are you not a [great] man? Who is your equal in Yisroel? Why then have you not guarded your master, the king? For someone from among the people came to assassinate the king, your master.

This deed which is not proper—that you have done. As Adonoy lives, you are deserving of death for not having watched over your master, over the anointed one of Adonoy. Now, look where the king's spear is and the flask of water that was near his head?"

Shaul recognized Dovid's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son Dovid?" Dovid replied, "It is my voice, my master, the king."

And he said, "Why is it that my master pursues his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?

And now, let my master the king, hear the words of his servant. If it is Adonoy Who has incited you against me, let my offering be pleasing to him; but if it be men, let them be cursed before Adonoy, for they have driven me away this day from being joined to the inheritance of Adonoy, saying, 'Go serve other gods.'

Now, let my blood not fall to the earth, away from the presence of Adonoy's attention, for the king of Yisroel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunting a partridge in the mountains."

Shaul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son Dovid, for I will no longer harm you, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have been foolish and have very greatly erred."

Dovid then spoke up and said, "Here is the spear of the king, let one of the youths cross over and take it.

May Adonoy reward each man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for Adonoy has delivered you today into [my] hand, but I did not desire to send forth my hand against the anointed one of Adonoy.

Behold, just as your life was precious to me today in my eyes, so may my life be precious in the eyes of Adonoy, and may He save me from all misfortune."

Shaul said to Dovid, "Blessed are you, my son Dovid. May you accomplish much and may you surely prevail." Then Dovid went on his way and Shaul returned to his place.