13. Crossing over to an opposite slope, David stood on a distant hilltop. With a great distance between them
14. David called to the army and to Abner, son of Ner, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner shouted back, “Who is it that calls me?”
15. David said to Abner: “Are you not a man? Who in Israel is your equal? Why were you not guarding your lord the king when one of his subjects came to assassinate the king, your lord?
16. What you have done is not right. As the Lord lives, you people deserve death because you have not guarded your lord, the anointed of the Lord. Go, look: where are the king’s spear and the water jug that was at his head?”
17. Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David answered, “Yes, my lord the king.”
18. He continued: “Why does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done? What evil am I planning?
19. Please, now, let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If the Lord has incited you against me, may an offering please the Lord. But if it is the people who have done so, may they be cursed before the Lord. They have driven me away so that today I have no share in the Lord’s heritage, but am told: ‘Go serve other gods!’
20. Do not let my blood spill on the ground far from the presence of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea as if he were hunting partridge in the mountains.”
21. Then Saul said: “I have done wrong. Come back, David, my son! I will not harm you again, because you considered my life precious today even though I have been a fool and have made a serious mistake.”
22. But David answered: “Here is the king’s spear. Let an attendant come over to get it.
23. The Lord repays everyone’s righteousness and faithfulness. Although the Lord delivered you into my hands today, I could not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.
24. Just as I regarded your life as precious today, so may the Lord regard my life as precious and deliver me from all dangers.”
25. Then Saul said to David: “Blessed are you, my son David! You shall certainly succeed in whatever you undertake.” David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.