And the aZiphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? 2 Then Saul arose, and went down to bthe wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched ain 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. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come cin very deed. 5 And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and dAbner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the ||trench, and the people pitched round about him. 6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech ethe Hittite, and to fAbishai gthe son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will hgo down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee. 7 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 iat his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him. 8 Then said Abishai to David, kGod 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. 9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against lthe Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? 10 David said furthermore, mAs the Lord liveth, nthe Lord shall smite him; or ohis day shall come to die; or he shall descend pinto battle, and perish. 11 The qLord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against lthe 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.