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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>1 Samuel 26 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_samuel/26.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_samuel/26-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > 1 Samuel 26</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../1_samuel/25.htm" title="1 Samuel 25">◄</a> 1 Samuel 26 <a href="../1_samuel/27.htm" title="1 Samuel 27">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/1_samuel/26.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">David Again Spares Saul’s Life</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>People from Ziph came to Saul in Gibeah and informed him, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah which is across from Jeshimon, isn’t he?” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>So Saul rose and went down with 3,000 select men of Israel to the Wilderness of Ziph, to look for David in the Wilderness of Ziph. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Saul camped by the road on the hill of Hachilah, across from Jeshimon, while David was staying in the wilderness. When he realized<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:3 Lit. saw">a</a></span> that Saul had come after him in the wilderness, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>David sent out spies and found out for certain that Saul had arrived. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>David rose and went to the place where Saul was camped. David saw the place where Saul and Abner, his Commander-in-Chief, lay down. Saul was lying down within the encampment, and the army was<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:5 Or the people were">b</a></span> camped all around him.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>David said<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:6 Lit. answered, saying">c</a></span> to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”</p> <p class="reg">Abishai said, “I’ll go down with you.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>David and Abishai went to the army<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:7 Or the people">d</a></span> at night, and Saul was lying there asleep in the encampment. His spear was stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:7 Or the people">e</a></span> were lying all around him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Abishai told David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Let me run the spear through him into the ground with a single blow. I won’t need to strike him twice!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>David told Abishai, “Don’t destroy him. Who can raise his hand to strike the LORD’s anointed and remain innocent? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him down, or his time will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The LORD forbid that I should raise my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Now take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let’s go.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So David took the spear and the jug of water at Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw, and no one knew, because no one was awake. They were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen over them.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away with a large distance between them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>David called out to the army<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:14 Or the people">f</a></span> and to Ner’s son Abner, “Abner, won’t you answer me?”</p> <p class="reg">Abner answered: “Who are you who calls out to the king?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>David told Abner, “Are you not a man, and who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord, the king? Indeed, a soldier came to destroy the king, your lord. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>This thing that you did is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:16 Lit. you are sons of death; i.e. dead men">g</a></span> you who didn’t guard your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Where is the king’s spear and where is the jug of water that was at his head?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”</p> <p class="reg">David replied, “It is my voice, your majesty.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:17 Lit. My lord the king">h</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>David<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:18 Lit. He">i</a></span> said, “Why is your majesty pursuing his servant? For what have I done, and what evil do I bear toward you? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Now let your majesty<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:19 Lit. My lord the king">j</a></span> listen to the words of his servant. If the LORD incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the LORD’s presence, because they have driven me out today from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD by saying, ‘Go serve other gods.’ <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Now, don’t let my blood fall to the ground away from the LORD’s presence. Indeed, the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, like someone hunts a partridge in the mountains.”</p> <p class="heading">Saul Apologizes Again</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Then Saul said, “I’ve wronged you. Return, my son David, for I won’t harm you again because my life was precious to you<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="26:21 Lit. in your sight">k</a></span> today. Look, I’ve acted foolishly and have made a very great mistake.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>David replied, “Here’s the king’s spear. Have one of the young men come over and get it. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The LORD repays a person for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The LORD gave you into my control today, but I refused to raise my hand against the LORD’s anointed. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Look, just as your life was valuable in my eyes today, so may my life be valuable in the LORD’s eyes, and may he deliver me from all trouble.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Saul told David, “Blessed are you, my son David. In whatever you do you will surely succeed.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 26:3 Lit. <i>saw</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 26:5 Or <i>the people were</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 26:6 Lit. <i>answered, saying</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 26:7 Or <i>the people</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 26:7 Or <i>the people</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 26:14 Or <i>the people</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 26:16 Lit. <i>you are sons of death; </i>i.e. dead men<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 26:17 Lit. <i>My lord the king</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 26:18 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 26:19 Lit. <i>My lord the king</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 26:21 Lit. <i>in your sight</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../1_samuel/25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../1_samuel/27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/1_samuel/26-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>