part of the wilderness, and Saul took with him
three thousand chosen men and followed and sought David. David when he
heard of the coming of Saul went into the place whereas Saul was, and
when he was asleep he took one with him and went into the tent where
Saul slept, and Abner with him and all his people. Then said Abishai to
David: God hath put thine enemy this day in thine hands, now I shall go
and smite him through with my spear, and then after that we shall have
no need to dread him. And David said to Abishai: Slay him not; who may
extend his hand into the anointed king of God and be innocent? And David
said yet more: By the living God, but if God smite him or the days come
that he shall die or perish in battle, God be merciful to me, as I
shall not lay my hand on him that is anointed of our Lord. Now take the
spear that standeth at his head, and the cup of water, and let us go.
David took the spear and the cup and departed thence and there was not
one that saw them ne awaked, for they slept all. Then when David was on
the hill far from them, David cried to the people and to Abner, saying:
Abner, shalt not thou answer? And Abner answered: Who art thou that
cryest and wakest the king? And David said to Abner: Art thou not a man
and there is none like thee in Israel? why hast thou not therefore kept
thy lord the king? There is one of the people gone in to slay the king
thy lord; by the living Lord it is not good that ye do, but be ye worthy
to die because ye have not kept your lord anointed of our Lord. Now look
and see where the king's spear is, and the cup of water that stood at
his head. Saul knew the voice of David and said: Is not this thy voice,
my son David? And David said: It is my voice, my lord king. For what
cause dost thou, my lord, pursue me thy servant? what thing have I done
and what evil have I committed with my hand? Thou seest well I might
have slain thee if I would; God judge between thee and me. And Saul
said: I have sinned, return, my son; I shall never hereafter do thee
harm ne evil, for thy soul is precious in my sight this day. It
appeareth now that I have done follily, and am ignorant in many things.
Then said David: Lo! here is the spear of the king, let a child come
fetch it, our Lord shall reward to every man after his justice and
faith. Our Lord hath this day brought thee into my hands, and yet I
would not lay mine hand on him that is anointed of our Lord. And like as
thy soul is magnified