1 Samuel 26

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

The Ziphites approached Saul in Gibeah, anxiously asking, "Isn't David hiding in Hachilah's hill, just before Jeshimon?"

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

Saul, filled with determination, led his chosen three thousand men into the desolate wilderness of Ziph. Their mission was clear - to find David in the vast expanse of Ziph's wilderness.

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

Saul set up camp on Hachilah hill, near Jeshimon. Meanwhile, David was hiding in the wilderness. He noticed Saul was pursuing him, his heart pounding with fear and anticipation.

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

David, deeply concerned, sent out his spies and soon confirmed his fears - Saul had indeed arrived.

And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.

David got up and went to the spot where Saul had set up camp. He saw Saul and his commander, Abner, lying there. Saul was in a trench, surrounded by his people.

Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

David turned to Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, Joab's brother, his voice filled with determination. "Who will join me in approaching Saul's camp?" he asked. Abishai, with a brave nod, replied, "I will stand by your side, David."

So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

Under the cloak of darkness, David and Abishai approached the sleeping crowd. Saul, their leader, was deep in slumber, his spear firmly planted in the ground by his side. His loyal followers, including Abner, were sprawled around him, guarding him even in sleep.

Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

Abishai turned to David, his voice filled with conviction, "God has given us victory over your enemy today. Please, let me strike him down with my spear, just once, and I promise, there won't be a need for a second blow."

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?

David pleaded with Abishai, "Don't harm him! Who could attack God's chosen one and not be guilty?"

David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

David passionately declared, "As long as God exists, He will punish him. Either he will meet his end naturally, or he will fall in battle."

The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

God forbid that I harm His chosen one. But please, grab his spear and water jug, let's leave this place.

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

Quietly, David seized Saul's spear and water jug while everyone slept, unnoticed and undisturbed, under a profound slumber sent by God.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

David crossed over, standing alone atop a distant hill, a vast expanse separating them.

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

David, with a heavy heart, pleaded with the crowd and Abner, Ner's son, "Won't you respond, Abner?" Abner retorted, "Who are you to shout at the king?"

And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

David questioned Abner, "Aren't you a brave man, Abner? Who in Israel is your equal? Then why didn't you protect your king? Someone from our own people came in to kill him."

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

What you've done is wrong. As surely as God lives, you all deserve to die for not guarding your master, His chosen one. Now, notice the king's missing spear and the water jug that was by his side.

And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

Saul recognized the familiar sound of David's voice, asking, "Is that you, my son David?" David confirmed, "Yes, it's me, my lord, the king."

And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

He asked, "Why is my master chasing me? What wrong have I done? What harm have I caused?"

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

Please, I beg you, listen to your humble servant. If God has turned you against me, may He be appeased with an offering. But if it's the work of men, may they be cursed by God. They've forced me away from God's blessings, telling me to worship false gods.

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

Please, don't let my life be taken unjustly, in sight of God. For the king of Israel pursues me, a mere nuisance, as if hunting a bird in the mountains.

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

Saul confessed, "I have sinned. David, my son, please come back. I won't hurt you anymore, for today I realized how much you value my life. I admit, I've acted foolishly and made grave errors."

And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

With a sense of urgency, David pointed out, "Look, there's the king's spear! Can one of the young men please retrieve it?"

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed.

God rewards each person according to their honesty and loyalty. Today, God gave me the power over you, but I chose not to harm you, out of respect for God's chosen one.

And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

Just as I valued your life today, may God also value my life and rescue me from all my troubles.

Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Saul, with a warm smile, told David, "You are blessed, my dear son. You are destined for greatness and will always overcome." With that, David continued his journey, while Saul went back home.