1 Samuel 26

David Spares Saul Again

1 Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, a "Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?" 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having b three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come. 5 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and c Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him.

6 Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai d the son of Zeruiah, brother of e Joab, saying, "Who will f go down with me to Saul in the camp?" And g Abishai said, "I will go down with you." 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. 8 Then Abishai said to David, h "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him 1 at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!" 9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; i for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?" 10 David said furthermore, "As the LORD lives, j the LORD shall strike him, or k his day shall come to die, or he shall l go out to battle and perish. 11 m "The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go." 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because n a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

13 Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them. 14 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you, calling out to the king?" 15 So David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. 16 "This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head."

17 Then Saul knew David's voice, and said, o "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king." 18 And he said, p "Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand? 19 "Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has q stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, r for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the s inheritance of the LORD, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' 20 "So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek t a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

21 Then Saul said, u "I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly." 22 And David answered and said, "Here is the king's spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it. 23 v "May the LORD w repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. 24 "And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation." 25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still x prevail." So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

  1. Cross References
    Isaiah 10:30
    Lift up your voice, O daughter of Gallim! Cause it to be heard as far as Laish - O poor Anathoth!
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 23:19
    Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
    Psalms 54:1
    Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength.
  3. Cross References
    1 Samuel 13:2
    Saul chose for himself three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the mountains of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent away, every man to his tent.
    1 Samuel 24:2
    Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
  4. Cross References
    1 Samuel 14:50
    The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
    1 Samuel 14:51
    Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
    1 Samuel 17:55
    When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" And Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.
  5. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 2:16
    Now their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel - three.
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 2:13
    And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. So they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.
  7. Cross References
    Judges 7:10
    But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.
    Judges 7:11
    And you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp." Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.
  8. Cross References
    2 Samuel 2:18
    Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet of foot as a wild gazelle.
    2 Samuel 2:24
    Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon.
  9. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:4
    Then the men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.' " And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
  10. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:6
    And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
    1 Samuel 24:7
    So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
    2 Samuel 1:14
    So David said to him, "How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
    2 Samuel 1:16
    So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.'
  11. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:35
    Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot s...
    1 Samuel 25:26
    Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD lives and a...
    1 Samuel 25:38
    Then it happened, after about ten days, that th...
    Luke 18:7
    And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry ...
    Romans 12:19
    Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather g...
    Hebrews 10:30
    For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I...
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 47:29
    When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt.
    Deuteronomy 31:14
    Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die; call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of meeting, that I may inaugurate him." So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of meeting.
    Job 7:1
    Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man?
    Job 14:5
    Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.
    Psalms 37:13
    The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
  13. Cross References
    1 Samuel 31:6
    So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.
  14. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:6 - 12
    And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
    Romans 12:19
    Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 2:21
    And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
    Genesis 15:12
    Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.
    Isaiah 29:10
    For the LORD has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.
  16. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:16
    So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, " Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
  17. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:9
    And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Indeed David seeks your harm'?
    1 Samuel 24:11 - 14
    Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
  18. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:11
    And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.
    2 Samuel 24:1
    Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah.
  19. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:27
    And the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD will drive you.
    Deuteronomy 4:28
    And there you will serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.
  20. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:16
    'For the king will hear and deliver his maidservant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of God.'
    2 Samuel 20:19
    "I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"
  21. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:14
    After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
  22. Cross References
    Exodus 9:27
    And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked.
    1 Samuel 15:24
    Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
    1 Samuel 15:30
    Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.
    1 Samuel 24:17
    Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
    2 Samuel 12:13
    So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
  23. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:19
    For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.
    Psalms 7:8
    The LORD shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
    Psalms 18:20
    The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
    Psalms 62:12
    Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
  24. Cross References
    2 Samuel 22:21
    The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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