David heard that he was dead, he said:  Blessed be the good Lord that hath judged the cause of mine opprobrium from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept me his servant from harm, and our Lord hath yielded the malice of Nabal on his own head.  Then David sent to Abigail for to have her to his wife, and she humbled herself and said she his handmaid was ready to wash the feet of his servants.  And she arose and took with her five maidens which went afoot by her, and she rode upon an ass, and followed the messengers, and was made wife to David.  And David also took another wife called Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both two were his wives.

After this Saul always sought David for to slay him.  And the people called Zyphites told to Saul that David was hid in the hill of Hachilah which was on the after 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