David

1And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

God said to Samuel, "How long will you be sad about Saul? I have said he can no longer be king of Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse, who lives in Bethlehem. I have picked one of his sons to be king."

2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." God said, "Take a young cow with you. Say, 'I have come to give a gift to God.'"

3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

"Invite Jesse to come to the offering. Then I will show you what to do. Pour oil on the one I point out to you."

4And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

Samuel did what God said and went to Bethlehem. The leaders of the town were shaking with fear when he came. They asked, "Have you come in peace?"

5And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

He said, "In peace. I have come to give a gift to God. Get yourselves ready, and come with me." Then he helped Jesse and his sons get ready and invited them.

6And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.

When they came, Samuel looked at Eliab. He thought, "Surely this is the man God has chosen."

7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

But God said to Samuel, "Do not look at his face or how tall he is. I have not chosen him. People look at the outside. But God looks at the heart."

8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him walk past Samuel. Samuel said, "God has not chosen this one either."

9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Then Jesse had Shammah walk past. Samuel said, "God has not chosen this one either."

10Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

Jesse had seven of his sons walk past Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, "God has not chosen any of these."

11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all your sons?" Jesse said, "There is still the youngest. He is out taking care of the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him. We will not sit down to eat until he comes."

12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

So they sent for him and brought him in. His skin had a healthy glow. He had lovely eyes and a fine face. God said, "Get up and pour the oil on him. This is the one."

13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Samuel took the horn of oil. He poured it on David while his brothers watched. From that day on, God's Spirit came powerfully on David. Then Samuel got up and went home to Ramah.

14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

God's Spirit left Saul. And a harmful spirit sent from God troubled him.

15And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Saul's servants said to him, "Look, a harmful spirit from God is troubling you."

16Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

"Sir, tell us to go find a man who plays the harp well. When the harmful spirit from God comes on you, he will play. Then you will feel better."

17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man who plays well. Bring him to me."

18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse from Bethlehem. He plays well. He is brave and strong, and a fighter. He speaks wisely, and he looks fine. And God is with him."

19Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse. He said, "Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep."

20And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

Jesse loaded a donkey with bread. He also sent a bag of wine and a young goat. He sent them to Saul with his son David.

21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

David came to Saul and began working for him. Saul liked him very much. David became the one who carried Saul's weapons.

22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

Then Saul sent word to Jesse. He said, "Please let David stay and work for me. I am pleased with him."

23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David took his harp and played. Then Saul felt better and the harmful spirit left him.

12Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

David was the son of a man named Jesse. Jesse came from Bethlehem in Judah, from the Ephrathite family. He had eight sons, and by Saul's time he was an old man.

13And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

Jesse's three oldest sons had gone to the war with Saul. Their names were Eliab, the oldest, then Abinadab, then Shammah.

14And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

David was the youngest son. The three oldest ones went with Saul.

15But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

David went back and forth. He would leave Saul and go home to care for his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

16And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

Every morning and every evening the Philistine came out and stood there. He did this for forty days.

17And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.

Jesse said to his son David, "Take this basket of roasted grain to your brothers. Take these ten loaves of bread too. Hurry to their camp."

18And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

"Take these ten cheeses to the leader of their group of soldiers. See how your brothers are doing. Bring back word that they are safe."

19Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

Saul, David's brothers, and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah. They were fighting the Philistines.

20And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

David got up early in the morning. He left the sheep with another keeper. He packed the food and went, just as his father had told him. He reached the camp as the army marched out shouting its war cry.

21For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

Israel and the Philistines lined up, army facing army.

22And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

David left the food with the man who watched the supplies. Then he ran to the battle line. He found his brothers and asked how they were.

23And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

While David talked with them, Goliath came out again from the Philistine army. He shouted the same words as before, and David heard him.

24And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

When the men of Israel saw Goliath, they ran away from him. They were very afraid.

25And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.

The men of Israel had been saying, "Do you see this man? He keeps coming out to dare Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich. He will also give him his daughter to marry. And that man's family will not have to pay taxes."

26And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

David asked the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine? He would take away Israel's shame. Who is this Philistine anyway? He is not one of God's people. How dare he make fun of the armies of the living God?"

27And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

The people told him the same thing again. They said, "That is what will be done for the man who kills him."

28And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him talking to the men. Eliab got angry with David. He said, "Why did you come down here? Who is watching those few sheep out in the wild? I know you are proud and up to no good. You only came to watch the fighting."

29And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

David said, "What have I done now? I only asked a question."

30And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

He turned away from Eliab and asked another man the same thing. The people answered him just as before.

31And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

Someone heard what David said and told Saul. So Saul sent for him.

32And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

David said to Saul, "No one should lose courage because of this man. I am your servant, and I will go fight him."

33And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

Saul said to David, "You cannot go and fight this Philistine. You are only a boy. He has been a soldier since he was young."

34And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

David said to Saul, "I take care of my father's sheep. Sometimes a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock."

35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

"I went after it and hit it. I pulled the lamb out of its mouth. If it turned on me, I grabbed its hair, hit it, and killed it."

36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

"I killed both the lion and the bear. This Philistine will end up like one of them. He has made fun of the armies of the living God."

37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

David said more: "The LORD saved me from the paw of the lion and the bear. He will save me from this Philistine too." Saul said, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."

38And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

Saul dressed David in his own war clothes. He put a bronze helmet on David's head. He put armor on him too.

39And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

David tied Saul's sword on over the armor and tried to walk. He had never worn such things before. He said to Saul, "I cannot walk in these. I am not used to them." So he took them off.

40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

David took his shepherd's stick in his hand. He picked five smooth stones from the little stream. He put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag. With his sling in his hand, he walked toward the Philistine.

41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

The Philistine came closer and closer to David. The man carrying his shield walked in front of him.

42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

Goliath looked around and saw David. He thought David was nothing. David was only a boy, healthy and good-looking.

43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog? You are coming at me with sticks!" Then he called down curses on David in the names of his gods.

44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

The Philistine said, "Come here to me. I will give your body to the birds and the wild animals."

45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

David said to the Philistine, "You come at me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin. I come to you in the name of the LORD who leads heaven's armies. He is the God of Israel's armies, and you have made fun of him."

46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

"Today the LORD will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head. I will give the dead Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole earth will know that Israel has a God."

47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.

"Everyone here will know that the LORD does not save with sword or spear. The battle belongs to the LORD. He will hand all of you over to us."

48And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

The Philistine got up and came forward to meet David. David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

49And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone. He slung it and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

So David beat the Philistine with a sling and one stone. He struck him down and killed him. David had no sword in his hand at all.

51Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

David ran and stood over him. He pulled Goliath's sword out of its cover and killed him with it. Then he cut off Goliath's head. When the Philistines saw their fighter was dead, they ran away.

52And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

The men of Israel and Judah shouted and chased the Philistines. They chased them all the way to the valley and to the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, and on to Gath and Ekron.

53And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

Then the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines. They took the things left behind in the Philistine camp.

54And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

David took Goliath's head and brought it to Jerusalem. He put Goliath's weapons in his own tent.

55And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

Saul had watched David go out to fight the Philistine. He said to Abner, the leader of his army, "Abner, whose son is this boy?" Abner said, "As surely as you live, my king, I do not know."

56And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.

The king said, "Then find out whose son this young man is."

57And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

David came back from killing the Philistine. He was still holding Goliath's head in his hand. Abner took him and brought him to Saul.

58And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse, from Bethlehem."

1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

David finished talking with Saul. Jonathan was Saul's son. Right away Jonathan felt very close to David. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

That day Saul kept David with him. He would not let David go back home to his father's house.

3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

Jonathan made a promise with David to always be his friend. He did this because he loved David as much as himself.

4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David. He gave David his coat too, and his sword, his bow, and his belt.

5And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

Saul sent David out to do many jobs, and David did well at all of them. So Saul put him in charge of the soldiers. This pleased all the people, and Saul's helpers too.

6And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

David had killed the Philistine giant. As the soldiers came home, women came out of every town in Israel. They came to meet King Saul. They sang and danced with happy songs. They played small drums and other instruments.

7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

The women sang back and forth to each other. They sang, "Saul has killed thousands, and David has killed tens of thousands."

8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Saul was very angry. The song upset him. He said, "They say David killed tens of thousands. They only say I killed thousands. The next thing they will give him is my kingdom!"

9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

From that day on, Saul watched David closely. He did not trust him anymore.

10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

The next day a bad spirit from God came over Saul. He raved and shouted inside the house. David played the harp for him, the way he always did. Saul had a spear in his hand.

11And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Saul threw the spear. He thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David got out of the way. This happened two times.

12And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Saul was afraid of David. The LORD was with David, and the LORD had left Saul.

13Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

So Saul sent David away from him. He put David in charge of a thousand soldiers. David led those men out to battle and back home again.

14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

David did well in everything he did, because the LORD was with him.

15Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

Saul saw how well David did everything. That made Saul even more afraid of him.

16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

But all the people of Israel and Judah loved David. He led them out to battle and brought them home again.

17And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter, Merab. I will let you marry her. Just be brave for me and fight the LORD's battles." But Saul was thinking something else. He thought, "I will not hurt David myself. I will let the Philistines do it."

18And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

David said to Saul, "Who am I? My family is not an important one in Israel. How could I marry the king's daughter?"

19But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

The time came for Merab to be given to David. But Saul gave her to a different man instead. That man was Adriel from a town called Meholah.

20And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

Saul's other daughter, Michal, loved David. People told Saul about it, and it made him glad.

21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

Saul thought, "I will give Michal to David. She will be a trap for him. Then the Philistines can kill him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second chance to become my son-in-law."

22And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law.

Saul told his helpers what to do. He said, "Talk to David quietly. Tell him the king is pleased with him. Tell him all the king's helpers love him. Then tell him to marry the king's daughter."

23And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

Saul's helpers said those words to David. David said, "Do you think it is a small thing to marry a king's daughter? I am a poor man, and people do not think much of me."

24And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.

The helpers went back to Saul. They told him exactly what David had said.

25And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Saul said, "Tell David this. The king does not want money for his daughter. He wants a hundred foreskins from dead Philistine men. That will pay back the king's enemies." But Saul was really hoping the Philistines would kill David.

26And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired.

The helpers told David what the king wanted. David was glad to become the king's son-in-law. The wedding day had not come yet.

27Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

So David went out with his men. They killed two hundred Philistines. David brought back the foreskins. He counted out every one of them for the king. That way he could become the king's son-in-law. So Saul let David marry his daughter Michal.

28And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.

Saul saw clearly that the LORD was with David. He also saw that his daughter Michal loved David.

29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

So Saul was even more afraid of David. From then on, Saul was David's enemy.

30Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

The Philistine leaders kept coming out to fight. Every time, David did better than all of Saul's other officers. So people spoke of David with great respect.

1And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

Saul told his son Jonathan and all his helpers to kill David.

2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

But Jonathan loved David very much. He warned David, "My father Saul wants to kill you. Please be careful in the morning. Go find a hiding place and stay there.

3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.

I will go out and stand next to my father in the field where you are hiding. I will talk to him about you. Then I will tell you what I find out."

4And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:

Jonathan said good things about David to his father Saul. He said, "The king should not do wrong to his servant David. David has done nothing wrong to you. Everything he did helped you.

5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

He risked his own life when he killed the Philistine giant. The LORD used him to save all of Israel. You saw it, and you were glad. So why hurt someone who has done nothing wrong? Why kill David for no reason?"

6And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.

Saul listened to Jonathan. Saul made a promise: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed."

7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

Jonathan called David and told him everything. Then Jonathan brought David back to Saul. David served the king just like before.

8And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

War started again. David went out and fought the Philistines. He beat them badly, and they ran away from him.

9And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

One day Saul sat in his house with his spear in his hand. A harmful spirit from the LORD came over him. David was playing music on his harp.

10And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear. David jumped away, and the spear hit the wall. David ran off and got away that night.

11Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

Saul sent men to watch David's house. They were going to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him. She said, "If you do not run tonight, you will be dead tomorrow."

12So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.

So Michal let David down through a window. He ran away and got safely out.

13And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.

Then Michal took a statue and laid it in the bed. She put goat hair at its head and covered it with a blanket.

14And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.

Saul sent men to grab David. Michal told them, "He is sick."

15And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

Saul sent the men back to look at David. He said, "Carry him up to me in his bed. I want to kill him."

16And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.

The men came in and looked. There was only a statue in the bed, with goat hair at its head.

17And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

Saul asked Michal, "Why did you trick me? You let my enemy get away!" Michal answered, "He told me to help him go, or he would kill me."

18So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

So David ran away and got safely out. He went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.

19And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.

Someone told Saul, "David is at Naioth in Ramah."

20And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

Saul sent men to catch David. They saw a group of prophets speaking God's words, with Samuel leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul's men, and they spoke God's words too.

21And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

Saul heard about this and sent more men. They also began speaking God's words. Saul sent men a third time, and the same thing happened.

22Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

So Saul went to Ramah himself. He came to the big well at Sechu and asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "They are at Naioth in Ramah."

23And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

Saul went there. The Spirit of God came on him too. He walked along speaking God's words all the way to Naioth in Ramah.

24And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

He pulled off his robes and spoke God's words in front of Samuel. Then he lay on the ground with no clothes on, all that day and all that night. That is why people say, "Is Saul one of the prophets too?"

1And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

David ran away from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and said, "What have I done? What is my sin? How have I wronged your father? Why does he want to kill me?"

2And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.

Jonathan said, "No, that cannot be! You will not die. My father tells me everything he plans, big or small. Why would he hide this from me? It is not true."

3And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

But David promised again that it was true. He said, "Your father knows you care about me. So he says, 'Do not tell Jonathan, or he will be sad.' I promise, as surely as the LORD lives and you live: I am only one step away from death."

4Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want, I will do it for you."

5And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

David said, "Tomorrow is the new moon feast. I am supposed to eat with the king. Instead, let me go hide in the field until the evening of the third day.

6If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

If your father notices I am gone, tell him this. Say, 'David begged me to let him hurry home to Bethlehem. His whole family gives a gift to God there every year.'

7If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.

If your father says, 'Fine,' then I am safe. But if he gets very angry, you will know he plans to hurt me.

8Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

So please be kind to me. You and I made a promise to each other before the LORD. If I have done something wrong, then kill me yourself. Why hand me over to your father?"

9And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?

Jonathan said, "Never! If I found out my father planned to hurt you, I would tell you."

10Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

Then David asked Jonathan, "Who will bring me the news? What if your father answers you in anger?"

11And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

Jonathan said, "Come, let us go out to the field." So the two of them went out together.

12And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

Jonathan said to David, "I promise this before the LORD, the God of Israel. I will find out what my father thinks by tomorrow or the next day. If he means you well, I will surely send you word.

13The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.

But if my father plans to hurt you, I will tell you. I will send you away safely. If I do not, may the LORD punish me. May the LORD be with you, as He was with my father.

14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:

While I am still alive, please be kind to me, the way the LORD is kind. Do not let me be killed.

15But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

And never stop being kind to my family. Keep being kind even after the LORD has wiped out every one of your enemies."

16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.

So Jonathan made this promise with David's family. He said, "May the LORD punish anyone in David's family who breaks it."

17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Jonathan asked David to promise it again, because he loved him. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

18Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon feast. People will see your seat is empty and miss you.

19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.

Wait three days. Then hurry down to the place where you hid before, when this trouble started. Wait by the stone called Ezel.

20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.

I will shoot three arrows to the side of that stone. It will look like I am shooting at a target.

21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.

Then I will send a boy to go find the arrows. If I say, 'The arrows are on this side of you, bring them,' then come out. I promise before the LORD that you are safe.

22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.

But if I say to the boy, 'The arrows are past you,' then you must go. That means the LORD is sending you away.

23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

And about the promise you and I made, the LORD is watching between us forever."

24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.

So David hid in the field. When the new moon feast came, the king sat down to eat.

25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.

Saul sat in his usual seat by the wall. Jonathan sat across from him, and Abner sat beside him. David's seat was empty.

26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

Saul said nothing that day. He thought something had happened to David. He thought David was not ready to join a holy meal.

27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

The next day, David's seat was still empty. Saul asked his son Jonathan, "Why has Jesse's son missed the meal two days now?"

28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:

Jonathan answered, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.

29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.

He said, 'Please let me go. My family is giving a gift to God in the city. My brother told me to be there. Please let me go and see my brothers.' That is why he is not at your table."

30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?

Then Saul got very angry at Jonathan. He said, "You son of a twisted, disobedient woman! I know you have picked Jesse's son. You are shaming yourself and the mother who gave birth to you.

31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

As long as Jesse's son is alive, you will never be king. Send for him and bring him to me. He must die!"

32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?

Jonathan answered his father, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"

33And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Now Jonathan knew his father truly meant to kill David.

34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.

Jonathan got up from the table, very angry. He ate no food that whole day. He was sad for David, because his father had shamed him.

35And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.

In the morning Jonathan went out to the field. He went at the time he had agreed on with David. A small boy went with him.

36And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow past him.

37And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?

The boy came to the spot where the arrow had landed. Jonathan called out, "Isn't the arrow farther on, past you?"

38And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

Then Jonathan called again, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stop!" The boy picked up the arrows and brought them back.

39But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.

The boy did not know what any of it meant. Only Jonathan and David knew the plan.

40And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.

Then Jonathan gave his bow and arrows to the boy. He said, "Take these back to the city."

41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.

As soon as the boy was gone, David came out from the south side of the stone. He bowed low to the ground three times. Then the two friends kissed and cried together. David cried the hardest.

42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace. We have both promised in the LORD's name. We said the LORD would watch between us, and between our children, forever." Then David left, and Jonathan went back into the city.