d had suffered punishment on his account, while he had
kept his own hands clean. At which time he understood that the wicked
are prosecuted by God; that he does not overlook any man, but bestows on
the good what is suitable to them, and inflicts a deserved punishment on
the wicked. So he sent to Nabal's wife, and invited her to come to him,
to live with him, and to be his wife. Whereupon she replied to those
that came, that she was not worthy to touch his feet; however, she came,
with all her servants, and became his wife, having received that honor
on account of her wise and righteous course of life. She also obtained
the same honor partly on account of her beauty. Now David had a wife
before, whom he married from the city Abesar; for as to Michal, the
daughter of king Saul, who had been David's wife, her father had given
her in marriage to Phalti, the son of Laish, who was of the city of
Gallim.

9. After this came certain of the Ziphites, and told Saul that David
was come again into their country, and if he would afford them his
assistance, they could catch him. So he came to them with three thousand
armed men; and upon the approach of night, he pitched his camp at a
certain place called Hachilah. But when David heard that Saul was coming
against him, he sent spies, and bid them let him know to what place of
the country Saul was already come; and when they told him that he was at
Hachilah, he concealed his going away from his companions, and came to
Saul's camp, having taken with him Abishai, his sister Zeruiah's son,
and Ahimelech the Hittite. Now Saul was asleep, and the armed men, with
Abner their commander, lay round about him in a circle. Hereupon David
entered into the king's tent; but he did neither kill Saul, though he
knew where he lay, by the spear that was stuck down by him, nor did he
give leave to Abishai, who would have killed him, and was earnestly bent
upon it so to do; for he said it was a horrid crime to kill one that was
ordained king by God, although he was a wicked man; for that he who
gave him the dominion would in time inflict punishment upon him. So he
restrained his eagerness; but that it might appear to have been in his
power to have killed him when he refrained from it, he took his spear,
and the cruse of water which stood by Saul as he lay asleep, without
being perceived by any in the camp, who were all asleep, and went
securely away, having performed every thing among the king's attendants