Bible in 90 Days
David Anointed to Succeed Saul
16 The Lord told Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I’ve rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I’m sending you to Jesse from Bethlehem because I’ve chosen for myself one of his sons as king.”
2 Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about this[a] and kill me!”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer[b] with you and say, ‘I’ve come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 You are to invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I’ll show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I tell you.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came out to meet him trembling, and said, “May your coming be in peace.”
5 He said, “Peace, I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Samuel[c] consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel[d] saw Eliab, and said, “Surely he’s the Lord’s[e] anointed.”[f]
7 The Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or his height,[g] for I’ve rejected him. Truly, God does not see[h] what man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord sees the heart.”
8 Then Jesse summoned Abinadab and brought him before Samuel, and he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse brought Shammah, and he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse brought seven of his sons before Samuel, and Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”
11 Then Samuel told Jesse, “Are these all the young men?” He said, “There yet remains the youngest one, and right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send someone to get him,[i] for we won’t do anything else[j] until he arrives here.” 12 So he sent and brought him. He had a dark, healthy complexion, with beautiful eyes, and he was handsome. The Lord said, “Get up and anoint him, for this is the one.”
God’s Spirit Comes on David and Departs from Saul
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David[k] in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came on David from that day forward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.
14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 Saul’s servants told him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our lord order his servants who attend you[l] to look for a man who is skilled in playing the lyre. And then when an evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play[m] and you will be better.”
17 Saul told his servants, “Find[n] a man for me who can play well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the young men answered: “Look, I’ve seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilled in playing. The man is a valiant soldier, gifted in speech, and handsome. And the Lord is with him.”
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and one kid, and sent them to Saul along with his son David. 21 David went to Saul and began to serve him.[o] Saul loved him very much, and he became his armor bearer. 22 Saul sent a messenger[p] to Jesse to tell him, “Allow David to serve me, because I’m pleased with him.”[q] 23 Whenever an evil[r] spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the lyre and play it.[s] Relief would come to Saul and he would be better, because the evil spirit would leave him.
Goliath Challenges the Israelis
17 The Philistines assembled their army for battle. They were assembled at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul and the Israelis assembled and camped in the valley of Elah, where they set up their forces to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines were standing on the hill on one side while the Israelis were standing on the hill on the other side, with the valley between them.
4 A champion named Goliath from Gath came out from the Philistine camp. He was four cubits and a span[t] tall, 5 wore a bronze helmet on his head, and wore bronze scale armor that weighed about 5,000 shekels.[u] 6 He had bronze armor on his legs[v] and carried a bronze javelin slung[w] between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam and the iron point of his spear weighed 600 shekels.[x] A man carrying his shield walked in front of him.
8 He stood still and called out to the ranks of Israel, “Why should you move into position for battle? Am I not a Philistine and you Saul’s servants? Choose a man for yourselves to come down against me. 9 If he’s able to fight me and strike me down, then we will become your servants; but if I prevail against him and strike him down, then you will become our servants and serve us.” 10 The Philistine said, “I defy[y] the ranks of Israel today. Send me one man and let’s fight together.” 11 When Saul and all the Israelis heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and very frightened.
David Comes to the Camp
12 David was the son of that Ephrathite man named Jesse from Bethlehem in Judah. He had eight sons; at the time when Saul was king he was old, having lived to an advanced age. 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse followed Saul into battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab, his second son, and Shammah, the third. 14 David was the youngest, while the three oldest had followed Saul. 15 And David would go back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem. 16 For 40 days the Philistine would come forward, morning and evening, to take his position.
17 Jesse told his son David, “Take this ephah[z] of roasted grain to your brothers, along with these ten loaves of bread, and quickly take them to your brothers in the camp. 18 Take these ten pieces of cheese to the commander of the unit,[aa] check on the well-being of your brothers, and bring something back from them. 19 Saul, your brothers,[ab] and all the men of Israel are in the valley of Elah fighting with the Philistines.” 20 David got up early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the supplies,[ac] and went as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the encampment[ad] as the army was going out to the battle line, shouting the battle cry.
David Hears Goliath’s Challenge
21 Israel and the Philistines moved into position for battle, battle line facing battle line. 22 David left the supplies he had with him in the care of the supply keeper and ran to the battle line. When he arrived there, he asked his brothers about their well-being. 23 As he was speaking with them, the Philistine champion named Goliath from Gath came up from the Philistine battle lines and spoke his usual words,[ae] as David listened. 24 When all the Israelis saw the man, they fled from him and were very frightened.
25 “Did all of you see this man coming up?” one Israeli asked. “He comes up to defy[af] Israel, and the king will richly reward the man who kills him. He will give his daughter to him and will make his father’s house tax[ag] free in Israel.”
26 David asked the men who were standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? Indeed, who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy[ah] the armies of the living God?”
27 The people also told him the same thing,[ai] saying, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”
28 Eliab his oldest brother heard him talking to the men. Eliab was angry with David and said, “Why did you come down here? And who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know your insolence and wicked intentions.[aj] You came down just to see the battle!”
29 “What have I done now?” David asked. “It was just a question,[ak] wasn’t it?” 30 Then he turned from him toward another person and asked the same thing. The people replied to him the same way as the first one had.
David Accepts the Challenge
31 When the words that David had spoken were heard, they were reported to Saul, and he sent for him. 32 David told Saul, “Let no one’s courage[al] fail because of him; your servant will go fight this Philistine.”
33 Saul told David, “You can’t go against this Philistine and fight him. You are only a young man, but he has been a warrior since his youth.”
34 David told Saul, “Your servant has been a shepherd for his father. When a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I would go out after it, strike it down, and rescue the lamb[am] from its mouth. Then when it rose up against me, I would grab it by its fur,[an] strike it down, and kill it. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he defied[ao] the armies of the living God.” 37 David continued, “The Lord who delivered me from the power of[ap] the lion and the power of[aq] the bear will also deliver me from the power of[ar] this Philistine.”
Saul told David, “Go! And may the Lord be with you.”
38 Saul put his garments on David, set a bronze helmet on his head, and put armor on him. 39 David strapped Saul’s[as] sword over his garments and tried to walk, but[at] he was not used to the armor.[au] David told Saul, “I can’t walk in these because I’m not used to them,”[av] and then took them off. 40 He took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the pouch in his shepherd’s bag. He approached the Philistine with his sling in his hand.
David Defeats Goliath
41 With a man carrying his shield in front of him, the Philistine kept coming closer to David. 42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he had contempt for him, because he was only a young man. David had a dark, healthy complexion and was handsome. 43 The Philistine asked David, “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his own gods and 44 told David, “Come to me! I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and to the beasts of the field.”
45 Then David told the Philistine, “You come at me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of the Heavenly Armies, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied.[aw] 46 This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I’ll strike you down and remove your head from you. And this very day I’ll give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and to the animals of the earth, so that all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and this whole congregation will know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or spear. Indeed, the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hands.”
48 When the Philistine got up and came closer to meet David, David quickly ran to the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David reached his hand into the bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead. The stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 David defeated the Philistine with a sling and a stone; he struck down the Philistine and killed him, and there was no sword in David’s hand. 51 David ran and stood over the Philistine. He took the Philistine’s[ax] sword, pulled it from its sheath, killed him, and then he cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 The men of Israel and Judah got up with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance to[ay] the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the way to Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. 53 The Israelis returned from pursuing the Philistines and plundered their camp. 54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put Goliath’s[az] weapons in his tent.
55 When Saul saw David going out to meet the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of the army, “Whose son is this young man, Abner?”
Abner said, “As surely as you live, your majesty, I don’t know.”
56 The king replied, “Go find out whose son the young man is.”
57 When David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head in his hand. 58 Saul told him, “Whose son are you, young man?”
David said, “The son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
Jonathan and David’s Friendship
18 When David finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan became a close friend to David,[ba] and Jonathan[bb] loved him as himself. 2 Saul took David[bc] that day and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe that he had on and gave it to David, along with his coat, his sword, his bow, and his belt. 5 David went out and was successful everywhere Saul sent him, and Saul put him in charge of the troops. This pleased the entire army,[bd] as well as Saul’s officials.[be]
Saul’s Jealousy of David
6 When David returned from defeating the Philistine, as they were entering the city, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul, singing and dancing as they joyously played tambourines and lyres. 7 As the women sang and played, they said,
“Saul has struck down his thousands
but David his ten thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry and he did not like what the women sang. He told himself,[bf] “They have attributed tens of thousands to David, but to me they have attributed thousands. What else can he have but the kingdom?” 9 From then on Saul kept his eye on David.[bg]
10 The next day, while David was playing the lyre[bh] as he had before, the evil spirit from the Lord attacked Saul, and he began to rave[bi] inside the house with a spear in his hand. 11 Saul hurled it, thinking,[bj] “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David escaped from him twice.
12 Now Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him and had departed from Saul. 13 Saul removed David[bk] from his presence and made him an officer over a division of soldiers.[bl] So David led the troops in battle.[bm] 14 David was successful in all that he did, for the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw that David[bn] was highly successful, he feared him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David because he led them in battle.[bo]
David Marries Saul’s Daughter
17 Saul told David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife. Just be an excellent soldier for me and fight the Lord’s battles.” Now Saul told himself,[bp] “I won’t harm him myself.[bq] Instead, I’ll let the Philistines harm him.”[br]
18 David told Saul, “Who am I and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel that I should be the king’s son-in-law?” 19 And when the time came to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given as a wife to Adriel of Meholah.
20 Saul’s daughter Michal loved David. Saul was informed of this and he liked the idea.[bs] 21 Saul told himself,[bt] “I’ll give her to him and she can be a snare to him and the Philistines will harm him.”[bu] So Saul told David, “For a second time you can be my son-in-law today.”
22 Saul commanded his officials,[bv] “Speak with David privately and say, ‘Look, the king delights in you, and all his officials[bw] love you. Now become the king’s son-in-law.’”
23 Saul’s officials[bx] delivered this message to David,[by] and he[bz] asked, “Is becoming the king’s son-in-law an unimportant thing to you? I’m a poor and unimportant man.”
24 Saul’s officials[ca] reported to him: “This is what David said.”
25 Saul said, “This is what you are to tell David, ‘The king desires no bride price except 100 Philistine foreskins to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” Now Saul thought he would cause David to die at the hand of the Philistines. 26 When his officials[cb] delivered this message to David, David decided it would be a good thing to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the time was up, 27 David got up, went out with his men, and struck down 200 Philistine men. David brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so he could become the king’s son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife. 28 As Saul continued to observe, he realized that the Lord was with David and that Saul’s daughter Michal loved him. 29 Then Saul was even more afraid of David, and Saul was David’s enemy from that time on.[cc]
30 The Philistine commanders would go out to fight[cd] and whenever they did, David was more successful than any of Saul’s other leaders.[ce] His name was held in high esteem.
Jonathan Intercedes for David
19 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials[cf] to kill David, but Saul’s son Jonathan was very fond of[cg] David. 2 So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. In the morning be careful and stay hidden in a secret place. 3 I’ll go out and stand by my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to my father about you. If I find out what he intends to do,[ch] I’ll tell you.”
4 Jonathan spoke to his father Saul favorably about David. “The king shouldn’t wrong his servant David because he has not wronged you and because what he has done has been very beneficial for you. 5 He risked his life[ci] and struck down the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a spectacular deliverance for all Israel. You saw that and rejoiced, so why would you do wrong and shed innocent blood[cj] by killing David without cause?” 6 Saul listened to Jonathan, and swore by the life of the Lord that David[ck] would not be killed. 7 Jonathan summoned David and told him all this.[cl] Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David[cm] served him[cn] as before.
Saul Again Tries to Kill David
8 The war continued and David went out to fight against the Philistines. He thoroughly defeated them,[co] and they fled before David.[cp] 9 The evil spirit from the Lord attacked Saul while he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand and David was playing the lyre. 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he jumped away from Saul and the spear stuck in the wall. That night David escaped and fled.
Michal Helps David Escape
11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him so they could kill him in the morning. David’s wife, Michal, told him, “If you don’t escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be put to death.” 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he escaped and fled. 13 Then Michal took the household idol[cq] and laid it on the bed with a cover of goat hair placed at its head. Then she covered it with clothes.
14 When Saul sent the messengers to take David, Michal said, “He’s sick.”
15 Then Saul sent messengers to check on[cr] David. He told them, “Bring him to me on the bed so I may kill him.”[cs] 16 The messengers went in, and there was the household idol in the bed with the cover of goat hair at its head!
17 Then Saul told Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this and let my enemy go so he could escape?”
Michal told Saul, “He told me, ‘Let me go or I’ll kill you!’”[ct]
Saul Prophesies at Ramah and David Escapes
18 David escaped and fled. He came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth. 19 It was reported to Saul saying, “David is at Naioth in Ramah right now.” 20 Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw a group of prophets caught up in prophetic ecstasy,[cu] with Samuel standing beside them leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul’s messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy.[cv]
21 They reported this to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy.[cw] 22 Then Saul himself went to Ramah, and he arrived at the large well that is in Secu. He asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”
Someone[cx] replied, “They’re at Naioth in Ramah.” 23 Saul went to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came on him also. He continued in prophetic ecstasy[cy] until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 He also removed his clothes and was caught up in prophetic ecstasy[cz] right in front of Samuel! He fell down naked and remained there all that day and all night. That is why people say,[da] “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
David and Jonathan’s Discussion
20 David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and said, “What have I done? What is my crime, and how have I wronged your father so that he’s determined to kill me?[db]
2 Jonathan[dc] told him, “Far from it! You won’t die. Look, my father never does anything, great or small, without telling me;[dd] so why should my father hide this thing from me? It’s not like that!”
3 David again took an oath: “Your father certainly knows that I’ve found favor with you, and so he told himself,[de] ‘Jonathan must not know this so he won’t be upset.’ But as certainly as the Lord is alive and living, and as certainly as I’m alive and living, too, there is only a step between me and death.”
4 Jonathan told David, “Whatever you say, I’ll do.”
5 David told Jonathan, “Look, the New Moon is tomorrow, and I’m expected to sit down with the king to eat. Let me go so I can hide in the field until the evening of the day after tomorrow.[df] 6 If your father actually notices that I’m not there,[dg] then you are to say, ‘David urgently requested that I allow him to run to his hometown of Bethlehem because the yearly sacrifice for the entire family was taking place there.’ 7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant will be safe.[dh] But if he actually gets angry, you will know that his intentions are evil.[di] 8 Now, show gracious kindness to your servant because you have entered into a sacred covenant[dj] with your servant. If there is iniquity in me, then kill me yourself—why should you bring me to your father?”
9 “Nonsense!” Jonathan replied. “If I actually knew that my father intended evil against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?”
10 Then David told Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”
David and Jonathan Make a Covenant
11 Then Jonathan told David, “Come, let’s go into the field.” So the two of them went into the field. 12 Jonathan told David, “The Lord God of Israel is my witness[dk] that I’ll carefully question my father by tomorrow or the next day. And if the response[dl] is favorable for David, will I not then send word[dm] to you and let you know?[dn] 13 But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord strike me dead[do] if I don’t let you know and send you away so you may go safely. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 14 If I remain alive, don’t fail to show me the Lord’s gracious love so that I don’t die. 15 And don’t stop showing your gracious love to my family forever, not even when the Lord eliminates each of David’s enemies from the surface of the earth.” 16 Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David: “May the Lord punish any violation of this covenant by the hand of David’s enemies.”[dp] 17 Jonathan made David vow again out of his love for him, because he loved him as himself.
Jonathan’s Signal to David
18 Jonathan told him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed because your seat is empty. 19 On the third day go down quickly and come to the place where you hid earlier.[dq] Remain beside the rock at Ezel. 20 I’ll shoot three arrows to the side of the rock[dr] as though I were shooting at a target. 21 Then I’ll send a servant,[ds] saying,[dt] ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I specifically say to the servant,[du] ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you, get them,’ then come out because it’s safe for you, and, as surely as the Lord lives, there is no danger.[dv] 22 But if I say this to the young man: ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then go, for the Lord has sent you away. 23 As for the matter about which you and I spoke, remember that[dw] the Lord is a witness[dx] between us forever.”
Jonathan Intercedes for David
24 David hid in the field. When the New Moon arrived, the king sat down to eat. 25 The king sat down at his place as before, in the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood while Abner sat next to Saul, but David’s place was empty. 26 Saul didn’t say anything that day because he told himself,[dy] “Something has happened; he’s unclean; surely he’s not clean.”
27 But the next day, on the second day of the New Moon, David’s place was empty, and so Saul told his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t Jesse’s son come to the festival, either yesterday or today?”
28 Jonathan answered Saul, “David urgently requested that I let him go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘Please let me go because our family has a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has ordered me to come. Now, if it’s acceptable to you,[dz] please let me get away so I can see my brothers.’ That’s the reason he didn’t come to the king’s table.”
Saul’s Anger toward Jonathan
30 Saul flew into a rage and told Jonathan, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have chosen Jesse’s son to your shame and to the shame of your mother who bore you?[ea] 31 As long as[eb] Jesse’s son lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established! Now send someone and bring David[ec] to me. He’s a dead man!”
32 Jonathan asked his father Saul, “Why should he be killed? What did he do?” 33 Then Saul threw the spear that was beside him to strike Jonathan[ed] down. So Jonathan realized that his father was determined to kill David. 34 So on the second day of the New Moon Jonathan angrily got up from the table without eating because he was upset about David, and because his father had humiliated him.
Jonathan Warns David
35 In the morning Jonathan, accompanied by a servant,[ee] went out to the field for the appointment with David. 36 Jonathan[ef] told his servant,[eg] “Run, find the arrows that I’m shooting.” As the servant[eh] ran, Jonathan[ei] shot the arrow beyond him. 37 The servant[ej] came to the place where Jonathan had shot it, and Jonathan called out to him,[ek] “The arrow is beyond you, isn’t it?” 38 Jonathan called out to the servant,[el] “Hurry, be quick, don’t stand around.” Jonathan’s servant[em] picked up the arrow and brought it to his master. 39 The servant was not aware of anything. Only Jonathan and David understood what had happened.[en]
40 Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the servant[eo] who was with him and told him, “Go, take these things to the city.” 41 The servant[ep] went. Then David came out from the south side of the rock,[eq] fell on his face, and bowed down three times. The men kissed each other, and both of them cried, but David even more. 42 Jonathan told David, “Go in peace since both of us swore in the name of the Lord: ‘May the Lord be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.’”
[er]Then David[es] got up and left, while Jonathan went to the city.
David Flees to Nob
21 [et]David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest, and Ahimelech was trembling as he came[eu] to meet David. Ahimelech[ev] told him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?”
2 David told Ahimelech the priest, “The king commanded me about a matter, saying to me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the matter I’m sending you to do[ew] and about which I’ve commanded you. I’ve directed the young men to a certain place.’ 3 Now, what do you have available?[ex] Give me five loaves of bread or whatever you have.”[ey]
4 The priest answered David: “There is no ordinary bread available;[ez] only consecrated bread, provided that the young men have kept themselves from women.”
5 David answered the priest, saying to him, “Indeed, women were kept from us as is usual[fa] whenever I go out on a mission,[fb] and the equipment[fc] of the young men is consecrated even when it’s an ordinary journey, so how much more is their equipment[fd] consecrated today?” 6 So the priest gave him consecrated bread because no bread was there except the Bread of the Presence that had been removed from the Lord’s presence and replaced with hot bread on the day it was taken away.
7 Now, Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul’s officials,[fe] was there that day, detained in the Lord’s presence. He was the chief of Saul’s shepherds.
David Takes Goliath’s Sword
8 David told Ahimelech, “Is there no spear or sword available[ff] here? I took neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s mission is urgent.”
9 The priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah is wrapped up in a cloth behind the ephod.[fg] If you want it, take it because there is no other except it here.”
So David said, “There is none like it. Give it to me.”
David Flees to Gath
10 David got up that day and fled from Saul, and he went to King Achish of Gath. 11 The officials[fh] of Achish told him, “Isn’t this David, king of the land? Isn’t this the one about whom they sang as they danced,
‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
but David his ten thousands’?”
12 David took these words seriously,[fi] and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath. 13 So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. 14 Achish told his officials,[fj] “Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why’d you bring him to me? 15 Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?”
David at the Cave of Adullam
22 David left from there and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and all his father’s family heard about this and went down to him there. 2 Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was malcontent[fk] gathered around him, and he became their leader. There were about 400 men with him.
David Seeks Protection for His Family
3 David went from there to Mizpah of Moab, and he told the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come and stay with you[fl] until I know what God is going to do for me.” 4 David left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time David was in the stronghold.
5 The prophet Gad told David, “Don’t remain in the stronghold. Go and enter the territory of Judah.” So David left and went into the forest of Hereth.
Doeg the Edomite Reports to Saul
6 When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been found,[fm] he[fn] was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the hill, with his spear in his hand. All his officials[fo] were standing around him. 7 Saul told his officials who were standing around him, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will Jesse’s son also give fields and vineyards to all of you? Will he make all of you officers over thousands and officers over hundreds? 8 But all of you have conspired against me, and no one tells me[fp] about my son’s covenant[fq] with Jesse’s son. None of you feels sorry for me and tells me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in wait, as he’s doing[fr] this day.”
9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul’s servants answered: “I saw Jesse’s son coming to Nob to Ahitub’s son Ahimelech. 10 Ahimelech[fs] inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
Saul Orders the Execution of the Priests
11 The king sent for Ahitub’s son Ahimelech the priest and for all his father’s family who were priests at Nob. All of them came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen, son of Ahitub!”
And he said, “Here I am, your majesty.”
13 Then Saul[ft] asked him, “Why have you conspired against me—you and Jesse’s son—by giving him food and a sword, and by inquiring of God for him, so he can rise up against me to lie in wait, as he’s doing[fu] today?”
14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your officials[fv] is as faithful as David? He is the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard, and he’s honored in your household. 15 Is today the first time I inquired of God for him? Absolutely not! The king shouldn’t accuse his servant, or any of my father’s family of anything, because your servant didn’t know anything at all[fw] about this.”
16 The king said, “Ahimelech, you will surely die, you and all your father’s family!” 17 The king told the guards, who were standing beside him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord because they supported David,[fx] and because they knew he was fleeing, but didn’t inform me.”[fy] But the officials of the king did not want to lift their hands[fz] to attack the priests of the Lord.
18 Then the king told Doeg, “You turn and attack the priests.” Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests. That day he killed eighty-five men who carry the linen ephod.[ga] 19 He attacked the priestly town of Nob with the sword. Men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys and sheep were put to the sword.
Abiathar Takes the Ephod to David
20 One man, Ahimelech’s son Abiathar, a grandson of Ahitub, escaped and fled to David. 21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 David told Abiathar, “I knew on that day when Doeg the Edomite was there that he would certainly tell Saul! I’m responsible for the deaths of your father’s whole family. 23 Stay with me, and don’t be afraid because the one who seeks my life, seeks your life. Indeed, you will be safe with me.”
David Delivers Keilah
23 Someone[gb] told David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting at Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.”
2 David inquired of the Lord: “Shall I go and strike down these Philistines?”
The Lord told David, “Go strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”
3 David’s men told him, “Look, we’re afraid here in Judah. How much then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine army?”
4 David inquired of the Lord again, and the Lord answered him: “Get up, go down to Keilah. I’ll give the Philistines into your control.”[gc] 5 David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He carried off their livestock and defeated them decisively,[gd] and so David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah. 6 Now when Ahimelech’s son Abiathar had fled to David in Keilah, the ephod[ge] had come down with him.
7 It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, and Saul said, “The Lord has delivered[gf] him into my hand because he has shut himself in by going into a town with double gates and bars.” 8 Saul summoned for battle all his forces[gg] to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9 David knew that Saul was devising evil plans against him, and so he told Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
10 David said, “Lord God of Israel. Your servant has definitely heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah to destroy the town because of me. 11 Will the people of Keilah hand me over to him?[gh] Will Saul come down just as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please inform your servant.”
The Lord said, “He will come down.”
12 Then David said, “Will the people of Keilah hand me over to Saul?”[gi]
The Lord said, “They’ll hand you over.” 13 David and his men, about 600 strong, got up and left Keilah. They moved around wherever they could go. Saul was advised that David had escaped from Keilah, so he stopped the campaign.[gj]
Jonathan Visits David
14 David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and he lived in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not let David[gk] slip into Saul’s[gl] control. 15 David was afraid because[gm] Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16 Saul’s son Jonathan got up and went to David at Horesh, and he encouraged him to trust[gn] in God. 17 Jonathan told him, “Don’t be afraid. My father Saul won’t find you, and you will be king over Israel. I’ll be your second-in-command. My father Saul also knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant[go] in the Lord’s presence. David remained at Horesh while Jonathan went home.
The People of Ziph Betray David
19 People from Ziph came up to Saul at Gibeah and informed him, “David is hiding with us in the strongholds in Horesh and on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon, isn’t he? 20 Now, your majesty, whenever you want to come down,[gp] come down, and our part will be to hand him over to the king.”
21 Saul said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, because you have been gracious to me. 22 Go and again make sure, find out and investigate where he is[gq] and who has seen him there, for people tell me that he’s very clever. 23 Investigate and find out all the hiding places there where he hides, and return to me with reliable information. Then I’ll go down with you, and if he’s in the land, I’ll search him out among all the thousands of Judah.” 24 The people from Ziph got up and left Saul, while David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.
25 When Saul and his men went to search for David,[gr] some people[gs] told David, and he went down to the Rock of Escape[gt] and remained in the wilderness of Maon. Saul heard this and he pursued David into the wilderness of Maon. 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain while David and his men went on the other side of the mountain. David was hurrying to get away from Saul while Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.
27 Then a messenger came to Saul with this news: “Come quickly, because the Philistines have made a raid on the land!” 28 So Saul turned around from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines. Therefore, they call that place the Rock of Escape. 29 [gu]David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of En-gedi.
David Spares Saul’s Life
24 [gv]When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told,[gw] “Look, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” 2 Saul took 3,000 of his best troops[gx] from all over Israel, and he went to look for David and his men in the direction of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheepfolds beside the road. There was a cave there, and Saul went in to relieve himself.[gy] Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses[gz] of the cave.
4 David’s men told him, “Look, today is the day about which the Lord spoke to you when he said,[ha] ‘I’ll give your enemy into your hand.’ Do to him whatever you want!”
David rose and stealthily cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterwards, David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He told his men, “God forbid that I should do this thing to your majesty, the Lord’s anointed, by stretching out my hand against him, since he’s the Lord’s anointed.” 7 David restrained his men with his[hb] words and did not allow them to rebel against Saul. Saul got up from the cave and started off.[hc]
David Rebukes Saul
8 Then David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul: “Your majesty!”[hd] Saul looked behind him, and David bowed down with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 9 Then David told Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of those who say, ‘Look, David is trying to harm you?’ 10 Look, this very day you saw with your own eyes[he] that the Lord gave you into my control in the cave, and one of my men[hf] told me to kill you, but I had pity[hg] on you and responded, ‘I won’t lift my hand against his majesty because he’s the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 Look, my father, look! The corner of your robe is in my hand. Indeed, by my cutting off the corner of your robe and not killing you, you may know and understand that I have no evil intent or transgression—I haven’t wronged you, even though you are hunting me to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between me and you, and may he take vengeance on you for me, but I won’t be attacking you. 13 Just like the ancient proverb says, ‘From wicked people comes wickedness,’ but I’m not against you. 14 After whom is the king of Israel going out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog or a single flea? 15 May the Lord act as judge, and may he decide between me and you. May he see, may he plead my case, and may he vindicate me in this dispute against you.”[hh]
Saul’s Apparent Repentance
16 When David had finished saying these things to Saul, Saul asked, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul cried loudly 17 to David, “You are more righteous than I am, because you have treated me well even though I’ve treated you poorly. 18 You have explained how you treated me well, in that the Lord delivered me into your hand but you didn’t kill me. 19 For who would find his enemy and then send him away safely?[hi] May the Lord repay you for what you have done for me today. 20 Now I know for certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom will be established under your authority.[hj] 21 Now swear to me by the Lord that you will never eliminate my descendants after me, and that you won’t erase my name from my father’s family.” 22 David made this vow to Saul, and then Saul went home, while David and his men went up to the stronghold.
The Death of Samuel
25 Samuel died and all Israel assembled to mourn for him. They buried him at his home in Ramah.
David, Nabal, and Abigail
David got up and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.[hk] 2 Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel of Judah,[hl] and the man was very rich. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. 3 The man’s name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, while the man was harsh and wicked in his dealings. He was a descendant of Caleb.
4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 David sent ten young men, saying to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, find Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6 Then say, ‘May you live long. Peace to you, peace to your family, and peace to all that you have. 7 Now, I’ve heard that the sheep shearers are with you. Now, your shepherds have been with us. We didn’t harm them, and they didn’t miss anything all the time they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men and they’ll tell you. Therefore let my[hm] young men find favor with you since we came on a special[hn] day. Please give whatever you have available to your servants and to your son David.’”
9 David’s young men came to Nabal and told him all this[ho] in David’s name, and then they waited. 10 Nabal answered David’s servants: “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? There are many servants today who are breaking away from their masters. 11 Should I take my food, my water, and my meat that I’ve slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men who came from who knows where?”[hp]
12 David’s men turned and went on[hq] their way. They came back and told David[hr] everything. 13 David told his men, “Put on your swords.” They put on their swords, and David put on his sword. Then about 400 men followed David, while 200 stayed with the supplies.
Abigail Intercedes with David
14 Now, one of the young men told Nabal’s wife Abigail: “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet[hs] our lord, but he screamed insults at them. 15 The men were very good to us. They didn’t harm us, and we didn’t miss anything all the time we moved around with them when we were in the field. 16 They were a wall around us both day and night, all the time we were with them taking care of the sheep. 17 Now, be aware of this[ht] and consider what you should do. Calamity is being planned against our master and against his entire household. He’s such a worthless person[hu] that no one can talk to him.”
18 Abigail quickly took 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five measures of roasted grain, 100 bunches of raisins, and 200 fig cakes and loaded them on donkeys. 19 She told her young men, “Go ahead of me, I’ll be coming right behind you.” But she said nothing to her husband Nabal. 20 She was riding on the donkey and as she went down a protected part[hv] of the mountain, David was there with his men, coming down to meet her, and she went toward them.
21 Now David had said, “Surely it was for nothing that I protected everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness, and nothing was missing of all that belonged to him. But he has repaid me[hw] with evil for good! 22 May the Lord do this to the enemies of David[hx]—and more also—if by the morning I’ve left alive a single male[hy] of all those who belong to him.”
23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got down from the donkey and fell on her face before David, prostrating herself on the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and pleaded, “Your majesty, let the guilt be on me alone, and please let your servant[hz] speak to you.[ia] Listen to the words of your servant.[ib] 25 Please, your majesty, don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he’s just like his name. Nabal[ic] is his name and folly is his constant companion. But I, your servant,[id] didn’t see your majesty’s young men whom you sent. 26 Now, your majesty, as the Lord lives and as you live, the Lord has kept you from shedding blood[ie] and from delivering yourself by your own actions. Now, may your enemies and those seeking to do evil to your majesty be like Nabal. 27 Now let this present that your servant[if] has brought to your majesty be given to the young men who follow[ig] your majesty. 28 Please forgive the offense of your servant.[ih] For the Lord will certainly make a strong dynasty for your majesty, for your majesty is fighting the Lord’s battles. May evil not be found in you for all of your life.[ii] 29 If anyone should arise to pursue you and seek your life, may the life of your majesty be bound up with the Lord your God in a bundle of the living, and may he sling out the lives of your enemies from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the Lord does for your majesty all the good that he promised concerning you and appoints you Commander-in-Chief[ij] over Israel, 31 this shouldn’t be an obstacle or stumbling block for your majesty’s conscience, that he poured out blood without cause or that your majesty delivered himself. When the Lord does good things for your majesty, remember your servant.”[ik]
32 David told Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today. 33 Blessed be your good judgment, and blessed be you, who today stopped me from shedding blood[il] and delivering myself by my own actions. 34 For as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, the one who restrained me from harming you—indeed, had you not quickly come to meet me, by dawn[im] there wouldn’t be a single male[in] left to Nabal.”
35 David took from her what she had brought him and told her, “Go up to your house in peace. Look, I’ve heard your request and will grant it.”
Nabal’s Death
36 Abigail returned to Nabal, and he was there in his house holding a festival like the festival of a king. Nabal’s heart was glad, and he was very drunk, so she didn’t tell him anything at all[io] until morning. 37 After Nabal became sober the next morning,[ip] his wife told him all that had happened.[iq] Nabal’s[ir] heart failed and he became paralyzed.[is] 38 About ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal had died, he said, “Blessed be the Lord who has judged the dispute over my insult at the hand of Nabal, and has held back his servant from evil. The Lord has repaid Nabal’s wickedness.”
Then David sent word to Abigail that he would take her as his wife. 40 David’s servants went to Abigail at Carmel and told her, “David sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.”
41 She got up, prostrated herself face down on the ground, and replied, “Your servant would be a slave to wash the feet of your majesty’s servants.” 42 Then Abigail quickly got up and got on a donkey, with five young women walking behind her.[it] She followed David’s messengers, and she became his wife. 43 David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both of them became his wives. 44 Meanwhile, Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Laish’s son Palti from Gallim.
David Again Spares Saul’s Life
26 People from Ziph came to Saul in Gibeah and informed him, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah which is across from Jeshimon, isn’t he?” 2 So Saul rose and went down with 3,000 select men of Israel to the Wilderness of Ziph, to look for David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3 Saul camped by the road on the hill of Hachilah, across from Jeshimon, while David was staying in the wilderness. When he realized[iu] that Saul had come after him in the wilderness, 4 David sent out spies and found out for certain that Saul had arrived. 5 David rose and went to the place where Saul was camped. David saw the place where Saul and Abner, his Commander-in-Chief, lay down. Saul was lying down within the encampment, and the army was[iv] camped all around him.
6 David said[iw] to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?”
Abishai said, “I’ll go down with you.”
7 David and Abishai went to the army[ix] at night, and Saul was lying there asleep in the encampment. His spear was stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the army[iy] were lying all around him. 8 Abishai told David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Let me run the spear through him into the ground with a single blow. I won’t need to strike him twice!”
9 David told Abishai, “Don’t destroy him. Who can raise his hand to strike the Lord’s anointed and remain innocent? 10 As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him down, or his time will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed. Now take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let’s go.” 12 So David took the spear and the jug of water at Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw, and no one knew, because no one was awake. They were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen over them.
13 Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away with a large distance between them. 14 David called out to the army[iz] and to Ner’s son Abner, “Abner, won’t you answer me?”
Abner answered: “Who are you who calls out to the king?”
15 David told Abner, “Are you not a man, and who is like you in Israel? Why didn’t you guard your lord, the king? Indeed, a soldier came to destroy the king, your lord. 16 This thing that you did is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die,[ja] you who didn’t guard your lord, the Lord’s anointed. Where is the king’s spear and where is the jug of water that was at his head?”
17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?”
David replied, “It is my voice, your majesty.”[jb] 18 David[jc] said, “Why is your majesty pursuing his servant? For what have I done, and what evil do I bear toward you? 19 Now let your majesty[jd] listen to the words of his servant. If the Lord incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. But if it is people, may they be cursed in the Lord’s presence, because they have driven me out today from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord by saying, ‘Go serve other gods.’ 20 Now, don’t let my blood fall to the ground away from the Lord’s presence. Indeed, the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, like someone hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
Saul Apologizes Again
21 Then Saul said, “I’ve wronged you. Return, my son David, for I won’t harm you again because my life was precious to you[je] today. Look, I’ve acted foolishly and have made a very great mistake.”
22 David replied, “Here’s the king’s spear. Have one of the young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord repays a person for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The Lord gave you into my control today, but I refused to raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Look, just as your life was valuable in my eyes today, so may my life be valuable in the Lord’s eyes, and may he deliver me from all trouble.”
25 Saul told David, “Blessed are you, my son David. In whatever you do you will surely succeed.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
David Escapes to Philistine Territory
27 David told himself, “One of these days I’ll perish by Saul’s hand. There is nothing better for me to do than to escape to Philistine territory. Saul will give up searching for me anymore within the borders of Israel, so I’ll escape from him.” 2 So David got up, and he and the 600 men who were with him went to Maoch’s son Achish, the king of Gath. 3 David stayed with Achish in Gath along with his men, each of whom was with his household. David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal of Carmel. 4 Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him.
Achish Gives Ziklag to David
5 David told Achish, “If it pleases you, give me a place in one of the outlying towns,[jf] so I may live there. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?” 6 So that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and therefore, Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah until the present time. 7 David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.
David’s Raids on the Land
8 David and his men went up and raided the descendants of Geshur, the descendants of Girzi, and the Amalekites, for they had been living in the land since ancient times, from the entrance of[jg] Shur all the way to the land of Egypt. 9 David struck the land and did not leave a man or woman alive. He took sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing, and then came back and went to Achish.
10 Achish said, “Where did you raid today?”
David answered, “Against the Negev[jh] of Judah, against the Negev[ji] of the Jerahmeelites, and against the Negev[jj] of the Kenites.” 11 David did not leave a man or woman alive to bring to Gath. He told himself,[jk] “Otherwise, they’ll say, ‘This is what David is doing, and this has been his practice all the time he has lived in Philistine territory.’”
12 Achish believed David, telling himself,[jl] “He has certainly made himself repulsive to his people in Israel. He will be my servant forever.”
The Philistines Prepare to Fight against Israel
28 At that time the Philistines assembled their army for war to fight against Israel. Achish told David, “You know, of course, that you and your men will go out with me into the battle.”
2 David told Achish, “Very well, you will now see[jm] what your servant will do.”
Achish told David, “Very well, I’ll appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.”
Saul and the Medium at Endor
3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4 The Philistines assembled, moved out, and camped at Shunem, while Saul assembled all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him, either through dreams or Urim[jn] or through prophets. 7 Saul told his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium so I can go to her and make my inquiry through her.”
His servants told him, “Look, there’s a woman at Endor who is a medium.”
8 Saul disguised himself, putting on different clothes. He went along with two men to the woman at night. He said, “Consult a familiar spirit for me and bring up for me the one whom I tell you.”
9 The woman told him, “Look, you know what Saul has done. He has removed mediums and spiritists from the land, so why are you trying to entrap me, so as to cause my death?”
10 Saul swore to her by the Lord: “As surely as the Lord lives, no punishment will come on you for this thing.”
11 The woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”
Saul[jo] said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.[jp] The woman told Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
13 The king told her, “Don’t be afraid; but what do you see?”
The woman told Saul, “I see a divine being[jq] coming up out of the ground.”
14 Saul[jr] told her, “What does he look like?”
She said, “An old man is coming up, and he’s wrapped in a robe.” Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed low to the ground and prostrated himself.
Samuel’s Message to Saul
15 Samuel told Saul, “Why did you disturb me by bringing me up?”
Saul said, “I’m in great distress. The Philistines are waging war against me. God has departed from me and won’t answer me anymore, either by messages written by[js] the hand of the prophets or by dreams. So I’ve summoned you to tell me what I should do.”
16 Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you exactly as he spoke through me.[jt] The Lord has torn the kingdom away from you[ju] and has given it to your colleague David. 18 Because you didn’t obey the Lord and didn’t display his fierce anger against Amalek, therefore, the Lord will do this thing to you today. 19 The Lord is giving both you, and Israel with you, into Philistine control. Tomorrow, the Lord will give you, your sons with you, and also the army of Israel into the control[jv] of the Philistines.”
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.