1 Samuel 26:14-25

1 Samuel 26:14-25

[14] And David  cried  to the people,  and to Abner  the son  of Ner,  saying,  Answerest  thou not, Abner?  answered  and said,  Who art thou that criest  to the king?  [15] And David  said  to Abner,  Art not thou a valiant man?  and who is like to thee in Israel?  wherefore then hast thou not kept  thy lord  the king?  for there came  one  of the people  in to destroy  the king  thy lord.  [16] This thing  is not good  that thou hast done.  As the LORD  liveth,  ye are worthy  to die,  because ye have not kept  your master,  the LORD'S  anointed.  And now see  where the king's  spear  is, and the cruse  of water  that was at his bolster.  [17] And Saul  knew  David's  voice,  and said,  Is this thy voice,  my son  David?  said,  It is my voice,  my lord,  O king.  [18] And he said,  Wherefore doth my lord  thus pursue  after  his servant?  for what have I done?  or what evil  is in mine hand?  [19] Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord  the king  hear  the words  of his servant.  If the LORD  have stirred thee up  against me, let him accept  an offering:  but if they be the children  of men,  cursed  be they before  the LORD;  for they have driven  me out this day  from abiding  in the inheritance  of the LORD,  saying,  serve  other  gods.  [20] Now therefore, let not my blood  fall  to the earth  before the face  of the LORD:  for the king  of Israel  is come out  to seek  flea,  as when one doth hunt  a partridge  in the mountains.  [21] Then said  Saul,  I have sinned:  return,  my son  David:  for I will no more do thee harm,  because my soul  was precious  in thine eyes  this day:  behold, I have played the fool,  and have erred  exceedingly.  [22] And David  answered  and said,  Behold the king's  spear!  and let one  of the young men  come over  and fetch  it. [23] The LORD  render  to every man  his righteousness  and his faithfulness:  for the LORD  delivered  thee into my hand  to day,  but I would  not stretch forth  mine hand  against the LORD'S  anointed.  [24] And, behold, as thy life  was much set by  this day  in mine eyes,  so let my life  be much set by  in the eyes  of the LORD,  and let him deliver  me out of all tribulation.  [25] Then Saul  said  to David,  Blessed  be thou, my son  David:  thou shalt both do  things, and also shalt still  So David  on his way,  and Saul  returned  to his place.