ABP - I Samuel - 26

26:1  And [3come 1the 2Ziphites] to the hill to Saul, saying, Behold, David is sheltered with us in the hill of Hachilah, against the face of Jeshimon.

26:2  And Saul rose up, and went down unto the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand [2men 1chosen] of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

26:3  And Saul camped in the hill of Hachilah, against the face of Jeshimon, upon the way. And David stayed in the wilderness. And David saw that Saul comes after him into the wilderness.

26:4  And David sent spies, and he knew that Saul was come prepared from there.

26:5  And David rose up in private, and went into the place where [2was sleeping 3there 1Saul]. And David saw the place where [2went to bed 3there 1Saul]. And Abner son of Ner his commander-in-chief was there. And Saul was sleeping in the royal chariot, and the people were camping round about him.

26:6  And David responded and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, Who shall enter with me to Saul, into the camp? And Abishai said, I shall enter with you.

26:7  And they enter, David and Abishai, among the people at night. And behold, Saul was sleeping a deep sleep in the royal chariot, and his spear was sticking in the ground by his head, and Abner and the people slept round about him.

26:8  And Abishai said to David, the lord locked up today your enemy into your hands. And now I shall indeed strike him with the spear into the earth once, and I should not repeat it a second time against him.

26:9  And David said to Abishai, you should not utterly destroy him. For who shall bear his hand against the anointed one of the lord, and be acquitted?

26:10  And David said, As the lord lives, that if the lord should not smite him, or his day should come and he should die, or by battle should go down and be added to his fathers;

26:11  then it is by no means to me from the lord to bear my hand against the anointed one of the lord. And now, take indeed the spear from before his head, and the flask of the water, and we shall go forth.

26:12  And David took the spear and the flask of the water from before his head, and they went forth. And there was not one seeing, and there was not one knowing, and there was not one awakening -- all were sleeping, for a stupefaction from the lord fell upon them.

26:13  And David passed over to the other side, and stood upon the top of the mountain far off, and a long way between them.

26:14  And David called the people, and he spoke to Abner son of Ner, saying, Will you not answer, Abner? And Abner answered and said, Who are you, calling me?

26:15  And David said to Abner, Are [2not 3a man 1you]? And who is as you in Israel? And why do you not guard your master the king? For [5entered 1one 2of 3the 4people] to destroy your master the king.

26:16  [2is not 3a good 4thing 1this] which you have done. As lives the lord, for [2sons 3of death 1you are], the ones not guarding the king, your master, the anointed one of the lord. And now see where [5is 1the 2spear 3of the 4king], and the flask of the water, the things by his head!

26:17  And Saul recognized the voice of David, and he said, [2your voice 1Is this] son David? And David said, My voice my master; your servant, O king.

26:18  And he said, Why is this [2pursues 1my master] after his servant? For in what have I sinned? And what [2was found 3in 4me 1offence]?

26:19  And now let [4hear 5indeed 1my master 2the 3king] the words of his servant! If God stirs you against me, then may [2smell acceptable 1your sacrifice]. And if the sons of men, then let these be accursed before the lord, for they cast me out today to not be fixed firmly in the inheritance of the lord, saying, Go serve other gods!

26:20  And now [3not 1may 4fall 2my blood] upon the ground right opposite the face of the lord, that [4has come forth 1the 2king 3of Israel] to seek [2flea 1one], as [3pursues prey 1the 2long-eared owl] in the mountains.

26:21  And Saul said, I have sinned. Return, son David! for I shall not do evil against you any more, because [2was valued 1my life] in your eyes; and today I have acted in folly, and I am ignorant [2much 1very].

26:22  And David responded and said, Behold, the spear of the king. Let [5come through 1indeed 2one 3of the 4servants] and take it!

26:23  And the lord will restore to each his righteousness and his trust; as [2delivered 3you 1the lord] today into my hands, and I did not want to bear my hand against the anointed one of the lord.

26:24  And behold, as [2was magnified 1your life] today in this, in my eyes, so may [2be magnified 1my life] before the lord, and may he shelter me, and may he rescue me from out of all affliction.

26:25  And Saul said to David, Being blessed are you, son David, and by performing you shall perform, and in ability you shall be able. And David went forth on his way, and Saul returned to his place.