Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

David's Encounter with Saul in the Wilderness

The Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah and told him that David was hiding in the hill of Hachilah, just before Jeshimon. Saul gathered three thousand of Israel's bravest men and set out to find David in the wilderness of Ziph.

Saul pitched his camp on the hill of Hachilah, but David remained hidden in the wilderness, watching as Saul came after him. David sent out spies who confirmed that Saul had indeed come to seek him. So David snuck out to where Saul's camp was set up and saw the king lying down with Abner the captain of his host and the rest of the people surrounding them.

David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, Joab's brother, if anyone would join him in going after Saul. Abishai agreed to go with David. Under the cover of night, they approached the camp. They saw that Saul was sleeping, his spear stuck in the ground beside him, while Abner and the others were lying around him.

Abishai whispered to David, "The Lord has given your enemy into your hands today; let me strike him down with my spear." But David refused, saying, "Don't harm him. Who can touch God's anointed and be innocent?" Instead, he said, "Take the spear from his side and the water jug beside it, and we'll leave quietly without anyone noticing."

David took the spear and the jug, and they slipped away unnoticed. The deep sleep sent by God had fallen on everyone, so no one stirred. David moved to a safe distance and called out to Abner and the others, "Don't you know I'm speaking?" But none of them responded.

Abishai asked who was calling out, but David revealed himself. He scolded Abner, saying he should have protected the king from the person who had come to harm him. He pointed out that the spear and water jug were missing from Saul's side.

Saul woke up, recognized David's voice, and called out to him. "Is this your voice, my son David?" David replied, "It is I, my lord the king." The king asked why he was being pursued, what wrong David had done.

David begged the king to listen to his words: if God had stirred Saul up against him, he would accept an offering; but if men were behind it, may they be cursed before the Lord. He accused them of driving him out of the inheritance of the Lord, telling him to serve other gods.

Saul confessed that he had sinned and promised not to harm David again, acknowledging his foolishness in trying to kill his servant. David reminded Saul that the Lord would judge each person according to their actions, as He had just spared Saul's life.

Saul wished David well, saying, "You will do great things and still succeed." Then David left, and Saul returned home.