1 Samuel
Chapter 26
Last Encounter Between David and Saul
Last Encounter Between David and Saul1Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah to tell him that David was hiding on the hill of Hachilah, east of Jeshimon.
On hearing this, Saul went down with three thousand picked men of Israel to the desert of Ziph in search of David.
He encamped on the hill of Hachilah beside the road east of Jeshimon.
When David, who was in the desert, saw that Saul had come after him, he sent out spies who confirmed Saul’s arrival.
David came to Saul’s place of encampment and saw where Saul was resting with Abner, son of Ner, chief of his army. Saul was sleeping in the center, and his men were around him.
David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai, son of Zeruiah and Joab’s brother: “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?” Abishai answered: “I will go down with you.”
So, that night, David and Abishai went into the camp and found Saul sleeping in the center, his spear thrust into the ground at his head, while Abner and the rest of the soldiers were sleeping around him.
Abishai said to David: “God has delivered your enemy into your hands this day. Let me nail him to the ground with one spear thrust; I will not repeat it.”
But David answered Abishai: “Do not harm him. For who could harm the Lord’s anointed and not be punished?
As the Lord lives, only the Lord may strike him; either he dies on the day appointed or is killed in battle.
Don’t let me harm the Lord’s anointed! Instead, take the spear and the water jug at his head, and let us be on our way.”
So David took the spear and the water jug from near Saul’s head, and they left. Nobody saw, nobody knew, nobody woke up. All remained asleep, for a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.
On the opposite slope, David stood at a distance, on top of the hill,
and called out to both Abner, son of Ner, and the soldiers: “Why don’t you answer, Abner?” Abner answered back: “Who are you to awaken the king?”
David said to Abner: “Are you not a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why did you not closely guard your lord, the king? An ordinary man has broken into the camp and attempted the life of the king, your lord.
Is this the way you fulfill your duties? You deserve to die because you did not guard your lord, the Lord’s anointed. Now look for the king’s spear and the water jug at his head.”
Saul recognized David’s voice and asked: “Is that your voice, David, my son?” David answered: “It is my voice, my lord, O king!
Why does my lord pursue me? What have I done? What am I guilty of?
Now, let my lord the king hear my words. If it is the Lord who has incited you against me, may an offering appease him; but if men have done so, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have made me an exile to this day and have driven me from my share of the inheritance of the Lord as if saying to me: ‘Go and serve other gods.’
Let not my blood flow to the ground far from the presence of the Lord! The king of Israel has come to seek out a flea as a man hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
Then Saul said: “I have done wrong. Come back, David, my son. I will not harm you anymore since you value my life that day. I have acted like a fool and have made a great mistake.”
David answered:“I have your spear with me, O king! Let one of your servants come over to fetch it.
The Lord rewards a righteous and loyal man. Today, he delivered you into my hands, but I refused to harm the Lord’s anointed.
As I valued your life today, may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all distress.”
Finally, Saul told David: “Blessed are you, David, my son! You shall succeed in everything you do.” Then David went his way, and Saul went home.
Commentaries
Last Encounter Between David and Saul.
The story returns to Saul, who continues to chase after David. David spies on Saul’s camp, and taking advantage of the darkness of night, he and Abishai manage to stand before Saul and his general, Abner, who are sleeping. Abishai wants to kill the king (8), but David does not allow him to do so; instead, he takes Saul’s spear and water bottle. From the opposite side of the valley, David raises his voice, accusing Abner of failing to guard the king properly, and Saul recognizes his voice. As before, Saul responds with a heartfelt confession: “I have sinned… I have been a fool; I have made a mistake” (21). David places his life in the Lord’s hands for protection. Saul blesses him and wishes him success. At the end of the scene, they part ways, each heading in their own direction. Once again, David has outmaneuvered Saul and his ineffective army. Saul is on the wrong path. David trusts in God and receives Saul’s promise and blessing.