14 David shouted to the army and to Abner son of Ner, “Answer me, Abner!” Abner answered, “Who are you? Why are you calling the king?”
15 David said, “You are an important man, aren’t you? You are better than any other man in Israel. Is that right? So why didn’t you guard your master, the king? An ordinary man came into your camp to kill your master, the king.
16 You made a big mistake. As surely as the Lord is alive, you and your men should die, because you didn’t protect your master, the Lord’S chosen king. Look for the king’s spear and the water jug that was near Saul’s head. Where are they?”
17 Saul knew David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David answered, “Yes, it is my voice, my lord the king.
18 Sir, why are you chasing me? What wrong have I done? What am I guilty of?
19 My lord the king, listen to me. If the Lord caused you to be angry with me, let him accept an offering. But if men caused you to be angry with me, I ask the Lord to curse them because they forced me to leave the land that the Lord gave me and told me to go serve other gods.
20 Now don’t make me die far away from the Lord’S presence. The king of Israel has come out looking for a flea. You are like a man hunting partridges in the mountains.”