David

1God 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."

And 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.

NoteSamuel was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. A horn was a real animal horn, hollowed out and used as a bottle. Bethlehem was a small town where sheep and grain were raised.

2Samuel 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.'"

And 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.

NoteA gift to God usually meant an animal, given at a stone table called an altar. Part of the meat was burned, and the rest was cooked and shared as a meal.

3"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."

And 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.

NotePouring olive oil on someone's head was how a king was chosen long ago. It was a sign that God had picked that person for the job.

4Samuel 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?"

And 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?

NoteThe leaders of a town were called elders. They were the older men everyone listened to when a choice had to be made.

5He 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.

And 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.

NoteGetting ready meant washing and putting on clean clothes before coming to God. People did this so they would be fit to join the meal.

6When they came, Samuel looked at Eliab. He thought, "Surely this is the man God has chosen."

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

NoteEliab was the oldest son. Back then the oldest son was usually given first place, so Samuel expected God to pick him.

7But 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."

But 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.

8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him walk past Samuel. Samuel said, "God has not chosen this one either."

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

9Then Jesse had Shammah walk past. Samuel said, "God has not chosen this one either."

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

10Jesse had seven of his sons walk past Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, "God has not chosen any of these."

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

11Samuel 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."

And 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.

NoteThe youngest boy was often the one sent to watch the sheep. It was a lonely job far from the house.

12So 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."

And 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.

13Samuel 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.

Then 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.

NoteGod's Spirit means God's own power at work inside a person. Ramah was the town where Samuel lived.

14God's Spirit left Saul. And a harmful spirit sent from God troubled him.

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

NoteThe old words say "an evil spirit from the LORD." It means something that made Saul feel dark, angry and afraid.

15Saul's servants said to him, "Look, a harmful spirit from God is troubling you."

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

16"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."

Let 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.

NoteA harp here was a small wooden instrument with strings, held in the arms. People believed quiet music could calm a troubled mind.

17Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man who plays well. Bring him to me."

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

18One 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."

Then 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.

19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse. He said, "Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep."

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

20Jesse 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.

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

NoteWine was carried in bags sewn from animal skin, not in glass bottles. Sending food along was a polite way to answer a king.

21David came to Saul and began working for him. Saul liked him very much. David became the one who carried Saul's weapons.

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

22Then Saul sent word to Jesse. He said, "Please let David stay and work for me. I am pleased with him."

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

23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David took his harp and played. Then Saul felt better and the harmful spirit left him.

And 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.

12David 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.

Now 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.

NoteEphrathite means Jesse's family came from Ephrath. Ephrath was the old name for the town of Bethlehem.

13Jesse's three oldest sons had gone to the war with Saul. Their names were Eliab, the oldest, then Abinadab, then Shammah.

And 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.

NoteThe oldest son was called the firstborn. He was given the biggest share of what his father owned.

14David was the youngest son. The three oldest ones went with Saul.

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

15David went back and forth. He would leave Saul and go home to care for his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

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

16Every morning and every evening the Philistine came out and stood there. He did this for forty days.

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

NoteForty days is more than a month of waiting.

17Jesse 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."

And 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.

NoteRoasted grain was cooked over a fire and eaten as a snack, a little like popcorn. The King James calls the basket "an ephah," a measure of grain about the size of a big bucket.

18"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."

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

NoteArmies were split into groups of about a thousand men. Each group had its own leader. There were no letters or phones, so someone had to go and bring news home.

19Saul, David's brothers, and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah. They were fighting the Philistines.

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

20David 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.

And 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.

NoteA war cry is the loud shout an army makes before it fights.

21Israel and the Philistines lined up, army facing army.

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

22David 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.

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

NoteThe King James says David left his "carriage." Back then that word meant the things you carry, not a cart.

23While David talked with them, Goliath came out again from the Philistine army. He shouted the same words as before, and David heard him.

And 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.

24When the men of Israel saw Goliath, they ran away from him. They were very afraid.

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

25The 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."

And 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.

NoteTaxes are money that families had to pay the king. Never paying taxes again was a very big gift. Marrying the king's daughter would make a man part of the king's family.

26David 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?"

And 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?

NoteThe men of Israel had a small mark on their bodies. It showed they belonged to God. Calling Goliath "uncircumcised" meant he was an outsider. "The living God" means the God who is really alive. Nearby peoples prayed to statues that could not move or speak.

27The people told him the same thing again. They said, "That is what will be done for the man who kills him."

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

28Eliab, 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."

And 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.

NoteThe King James says "naughtiness of thine heart." In 1611 that word meant real wickedness, not small mischief.

29David said, "What have I done now? I only asked a question."

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

30He turned away from Eliab and asked another man the same thing. The people answered him just as before.

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

31Someone heard what David said and told Saul. So Saul sent for him.

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

NoteThe King James says people "rehearsed" David's words. That means they repeated them, not that they practiced a play.

32David said to Saul, "No one should lose courage because of this man. I am your servant, and I will go fight him."

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

NotePeople called themselves "your servant" when talking to a king. It was a polite way of saying "I."

33Saul said to David, "You cannot go and fight this Philistine. You are only a boy. He has been a soldier since he was young."

And 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.

34David 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."

And 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:

NoteShepherds stayed outside with their sheep all night. Wild animals came, and the shepherd had to drive them off.

35"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."

And 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.

NoteThe "beard" here means the thick hair around a lion's neck. We call that hair a mane.

36"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."

Thy 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.

37David 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."

David 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.

NoteLORD in capital letters stands for God's own name. God gave that name to the people of Israel.

38Saul dressed David in his own war clothes. He put a bronze helmet on David's head. He put armor on him too.

And 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.

39David tied his sword on over the armor and tried to walk. He had not tried them before. He said to Saul, "I cannot walk in these. I am not used to them." So he took them off.

And 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.

NoteThe King James says David "had not proved" the armor. Proved here means tried out or tested.

40David 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.

And 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.

NoteA sling was a strap of leather with a pouch in the middle. A shepherd put a stone in it, spun it fast, and let one end go. The stone flew out very fast and very hard. The King James calls his bag a "scrip." That was a small food bag carried over the shoulder.

41The Philistine came closer and closer to David. The man carrying his shield walked in front of him.

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

42Goliath looked around and saw David. He thought David was nothing. David was only a boy, healthy and good-looking.

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

NoteThe King James says David was "ruddy, and of a fair countenance." Ruddy means his cheeks looked pink and healthy. Countenance means face.

43The 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.

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

NoteDogs then were not pets. They ran loose in the streets and ate scraps. Calling a person a dog was a nasty insult. "Staves" simply means sticks.

44The Philistine said, "Come here to me. I will give your body to the birds and the wild animals."

And 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.

NoteLeaving a body outside for animals was the worst shame of all. It meant the person would not be buried.

45David 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."

Then 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.

Note"Hosts" is an old word for armies. A javelin is a light spear made for throwing.

46"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."

This 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.

47"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."

And 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.

48The Philistine got up and came forward to meet David. David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

And 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.

49David 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.

And 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.

50So 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.

So 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.

51David 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.

Therefore 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.

52The 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.

And 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.

NoteGath and Ekron were Philistine cities. The Philistine soldiers were running back home.

53Then the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines. They took the things left behind in the Philistine camp.

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

NoteAfter a battle the winners kept whatever the losers left behind. This was the normal thing to do then.

54David took Goliath's head and brought it to Jerusalem. He put Goliath's weapons in his own tent.

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

NoteJerusalem was a city not far away. Years later David made it his capital city.

55Saul 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."

And 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.

Note"As surely as you live" was a strong way to promise. It meant "I am really telling you the truth."

56The king said, "Then find out whose son this young man is."

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

NoteThe King James calls David a "stripling." That is an old word for a boy who is not grown up yet.

57David came back from killing the Philistine. He was still holding Goliath's head in his hand. Abner took him and brought him to Saul.

And 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.

58Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse, from Bethlehem."

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

1David finished talking with Saul. Right away Jonathan felt very close to David. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

And 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.

NoteJust before this, David had killed Goliath, a huge Philistine fighter. That is what he and Saul were talking about. Jonathan was King Saul's son.

2That day Saul kept David with him. He would not let David go back home to his father's house.

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

3Jonathan made a promise with David to always be his friend. He did this because he loved David as much as himself.

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

NoteA covenant is a very serious promise. People kept it for their whole lives.

4Jonathan 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.

And 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.

NoteJonathan was a prince, the king's son. Giving away his robe, sword and belt was a big sign of love and trust.

5Saul 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.

And 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.

6David 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.

And 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.

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived nearby. They fought against Israel again and again. When soldiers came home from a battle, women often met them with songs and dancing.

7The women sang back and forth to each other. They sang, "Saul has killed thousands, and David has killed tens of thousands."

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

NoteThe song was not counting exactly. It was a way of saying David won even more fights than Saul.

8Saul 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!"

And 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?

NoteA kingdom is all the land and all the people a king rules over.

9From that day on, Saul watched David closely. He did not trust him anymore.

And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

10The 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.

And 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.

NoteThe King James Bible says Saul "prophesied" here. A prophet was someone who spoke words from God. Saul was acting like one, shouting strange words in the house.

11Saul threw the spear. He thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David got out of the way. This happened two times.

And 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.

12Saul was afraid of David. The LORD was with David, and the LORD had left Saul.

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

NoteWhen you see LORD in big letters, it stands for God's own special name.

13So 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.

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

14David did well in everything he did, because the LORD was with him.

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

15Saul saw how well David did everything. That made Saul even more afraid of him.

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

16But all the people of Israel and Judah loved David. He led them out to battle and brought them home again.

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

NoteJudah was the biggest family group in Israel. Israel and Judah together mean the whole country.

17Saul 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."

And 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.

NoteLong ago a father chose the man his daughter would marry. So Saul could offer David his daughter.

18David said to Saul, "Who am I? My family is not an important one in Israel. How could I marry the king's daughter?"

And 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?

NoteDavid's family were shepherds from a small town. Marrying the king's daughter would make him part of the royal family.

19The 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.

But 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.

20Saul's other daughter, Michal, loved David. People told Saul about it, and it made him glad.

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

21Saul 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."

And 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.

22Saul 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."

And 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.

23Saul'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."

And 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?

24The helpers went back to Saul. They told him exactly what David had said.

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

25Saul 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.

And 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.

NoteA man usually gave the bride's father a gift before the wedding, like money or animals. That gift was called a dowry.

26The 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.

And 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.

27So 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.

Wherefore 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.

NoteA foreskin is a small piece of skin from a man's body. Men in Israel had theirs cut off as a sign they belonged to God. Philistine men did not. So the foreskins proved the dead men were Philistines.

28Saul saw clearly that the LORD was with David. He also saw that his daughter Michal loved David.

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

29So Saul was even more afraid of David. From then on, Saul was David's enemy.

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

30The 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.

Then 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.

1Saul told his son Jonathan and all his helpers to kill David.

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

NoteSaul was the king of Israel. Jonathan was his son and also David's best friend.

2But 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.

But 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:

3I 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."

And 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.

4Jonathan 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.

And 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:

NoteA servant here means someone who works for the king. David worked for Saul as a soldier and a musician.

5He 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?"

For 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?

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived nearby and often fought Israel. The Philistine David killed was Goliath, a giant soldier.

6Saul listened to Jonathan. Saul made a promise: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be killed."

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

Note"As the LORD liveth" was a strong way to promise. It meant, I truly mean what I am saying.

7Jonathan called David and told him everything. Then Jonathan brought David back to Saul. David served the king just like before.

And 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.

8War started again. David went out and fought the Philistines. He beat them badly, and they ran away from him.

And 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.

9One 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.

And 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.

NoteA spear is a long stick with a sharp point. Kings often held one, the way a king holds a staff.

10Saul 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.

And 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.

NoteSaul threw the spear hard, trying to stick David to the wall.

11Saul 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."

Saul 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.

NoteMichal was Saul's own daughter. So David's wife was the king's daughter.

12So Michal let David down through a window. He ran away and got safely out.

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

NoteMany houses were built right into the town wall. A window like that opened outside the town, so David could climb down and run.

13Then Michal took a statue and laid it in the bed. She put goat hair at its head and covered it with a blanket.

And 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.

NoteFamilies sometimes kept a small statue in the house. Michal put one in the bed to look like a sleeping person.

14Saul sent men to grab David. Michal told them, "He is sick."

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

15Saul sent the men back to look at David. He said, "Carry him up to me in his bed. I want to kill him."

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

16The men came in and looked. There was only a statue in the bed, with goat hair at its head.

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

17Saul 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."

And 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?

18So 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.

So 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.

NoteSamuel was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. Ramah was the town where Samuel lived.

19Someone told Saul, "David is at Naioth in Ramah."

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

NoteNaioth was a place at Ramah where a group of prophets lived and stayed together.

20Saul 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.

And 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.

NoteA prophet is a person who tells others what God says. These prophets spoke and sang God's words together in a group.

21Saul 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.

And 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.

22So 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."

Then 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.

NoteA well is a deep hole dug down to water. This big well was a spot everyone in the area knew.

23Saul went there. The Spirit of God came on him too. He walked along speaking God's words all the way to Naioth in Ramah.

And 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.

24He 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?"

And 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?

NoteSaul pulled off his royal robes, the fancy clothes that showed he was king. Without them he looked like any ordinary man. People repeated this saying later when something surprising happened. It meant, look who is acting like a prophet now.

1David 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?"

And 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?

NoteRamah was a town. Naioth was a place there where David had been hiding. Jonathan was King Saul's son and David's dearest friend.

2Jonathan 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."

And 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.

3But 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."

And 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.

Note"One step away from death" is a way of saying danger is very close.

4Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want, I will do it for you."

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

5David 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.

And 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.

NoteThe new moon is when the moon first shows again as a thin sliver. Each new moon started a new month. People held a special meal that day to thank God. David worked for the king, so he had a seat at that meal.

6If 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.'

If 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.

NoteBethlehem was the small town where David grew up. Giving a gift to God meant bringing an animal to be offered, then sharing a meal. Whole families did this together once a year.

7If your father says, 'Fine,' then I am safe. But if he gets very angry, you will know he plans to hurt me.

If 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.

8So 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?"

Therefore 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?

NoteA promise made before the LORD was very serious. David and Jonathan had made one to each other. It was meant to last their whole lives.

9Jonathan said, "Never! If I found out my father planned to hurt you, I would tell you."

And 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?

10Then David asked Jonathan, "Who will bring me the news? What if your father answers you in anger?"

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

11Jonathan said, "Come, let us go out to the field." So the two of them went out together.

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

12Jonathan 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.

And 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;

13But 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.

The 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.

Note"May the LORD punish me" was a normal way to promise back then. It meant: I truly mean this.

14While I am still alive, please be kind to me, the way the LORD is kind. Do not let me be killed.

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

15And never stop being kind to my family. Keep being kind even after the LORD has wiped out every one of your enemies."

But 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.

Note"My family" means Jonathan's children and grandchildren. He is asking David to be kind to them after he is gone.

16So Jonathan made this promise with David's family. He said, "May the LORD punish anyone in David's family who breaks it."

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

17Jonathan asked David to promise it again, because he loved him. He loved David as much as he loved himself.

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

18Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon feast. People will see your seat is empty and miss you.

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

19Wait three days. Then hurry down to the place where you hid before, when this trouble started. Wait by the stone called Ezel.

And 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.

NoteEzel was the name of one big stone out in the field. Large stones made easy places to meet.

20I will shoot three arrows to the side of that stone. It will look like I am shooting at a target.

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

21Then 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.

And, 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.

22But if I say to the boy, 'The arrows are past you,' then you must go. That means the LORD is sending you away.

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

23And about the promise you and I made, the LORD is watching between us forever."

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

24So David hid in the field. When the new moon feast came, the king sat down to eat.

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

25Saul sat in his usual seat by the wall. Jonathan sat across from him, and Abner sat beside him. David's seat was empty.

And 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.

NoteAbner was the leader of Saul's army. He was also part of Saul's family.

26Saul said nothing that day. He thought something had happened to David. He thought David was not ready to join a holy meal.

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

NoteIsrael had rules about who could join a holy meal. Touching certain things meant waiting a day first. Saul guessed that was why David's seat was empty.

27The next day, David's seat was still empty. Saul asked his son Jonathan, "Why has Jesse's son missed the meal two days now?"

And 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?

NoteJesse was David's father. Saul would not even say David's name. That showed how much he disliked him.

28Jonathan answered, "David begged me to let him go to Bethlehem.

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

29He 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."

And 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.

30Then 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.

Then 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?

NoteSaying mean things about someone's mother was a strong insult. Saul was saying Jonathan had brought shame on his whole family.

31As long as Jesse's son is alive, you will never be king. Send for him and bring him to me. He must die!"

For 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.

NoteJonathan was the king's son. Usually a king's son becomes the next king. Saul was afraid David would be king instead of Jonathan.

32Jonathan answered his father, "Why should he be killed? What has he done?"

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

33Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him. Now Jonathan knew his father truly meant to kill David.

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

NoteA spear is a long stick with a sharp point. Saul had thrown one at David before too.

34Jonathan 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.

So 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.

35In 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.

And 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.

36He said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow past him.

And 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.

37The boy came to the spot where the arrow had landed. Jonathan called out, "Isn't the arrow farther on, past you?"

And 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?

38Then Jonathan called again, "Hurry! Be quick! Do not stop!" The boy picked up the arrows and brought them back.

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

39The boy did not know what any of it meant. Only Jonathan and David knew the plan.

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

40Then Jonathan gave his weapons to the boy. He said, "Take these back to the city."

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

NoteThe King James says Jonathan gave the boy his "artillery." In 1611 that word meant a bow and arrows, not guns.

41As soon as the boy was gone, David came out from a hiding place toward the south. He bowed low to the ground three times. Then the two friends kissed and cried together. David cried the hardest.

And 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.

NoteBowing with your face to the ground showed great respect. A kiss on the cheek was how friends said hello and goodbye.

42Jonathan 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.

And 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.

Note"Our children" means their families for many years to come. Their sons and grandsons would keep this promise too.