David

1Some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah. They said, "David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah, across from Jeshimon."

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

NoteZiph was a place near where David was hiding. The people there told Saul his hiding spot. Gibeah was the town where King Saul lived.

2So Saul went down to the wilderness of Ziph. He took three thousand of the best soldiers in Israel. He went there to look for David.

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

NoteThe wilderness was wild land with few trees and little water. Almost nobody lived there, so it made a good hiding place. Jeshimon was a dry, empty stretch of that land.

3Saul set up camp beside the road on the hill of Hachilah, across from Jeshimon. But David was staying out in the wild land. He saw that Saul had followed him there.

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

4So David sent out men to look around quietly. They came back and said Saul had really come.

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

5Then David went to the place where Saul was camped. He saw where Saul was lying down. Abner son of Ner was there too. Abner was the leader of Saul's army. Saul slept in the middle of the camp. His soldiers slept in a circle all around him.

And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.

NoteArmies slept in a big circle at night. The king slept in the middle, the safest spot of all.

6David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai. Abishai's mother was Zeruiah, and his brother was Joab. David asked, "Who will go down with me into Saul's camp?" Abishai said, "I will go with you."

Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

NoteA Hittite was someone from another people who lived near Israel. Zeruiah was David's sister. So Abishai and Joab were David's nephews.

7So David and Abishai came to the camp at night. Saul was lying there fast asleep in the middle of the camp. His spear was stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the soldiers were sleeping all around him.

So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

NoteA spear is a long pole with a sharp point on the end. Saul's spear stuck in the ground showed where the king slept.

8Abishai said to David, "Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Let me push the spear through him into the ground. One try is all I will need."

Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

9But David said, "No, do not kill him. God chose Saul to be king. Anyone who hurts him would be doing wrong."

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?

NoteWhen God chose a king, oil was poured on his head. That is what the old words "the LORD's anointed" mean. Hurting such a man was seen as a very serious wrong.

10David went on, "As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike Saul down. Or his time to die will come. Or he will go to battle and be killed there.

David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

Note"As surely as the LORD lives" was a way to make a strong promise. It means "I truly mean what I say."

11But I will never lift my hand against the man God chose as king. Just take the spear by his head and the water jug. Then let us go."

The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

NoteA water jug was a small clay pot for carrying drinking water. In that dry land, people took one everywhere they went.

12So David took the spear and the water jug from beside Saul's head. Then they left. Nobody saw them. Nobody knew. Nobody even woke up. They all stayed asleep, because God had put a deep sleep on them.

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

NoteDavid took the spear and the jug to show he had been there. He was close enough to hurt Saul, and he chose not to.

13Then David crossed over to the other side. He stood on top of a hill far away. A wide space lay between him and the camp.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

NoteA shout carries a long way across an open valley. David could be heard, but he was too far away to be caught.

14David shouted to the soldiers and to Abner son of Ner. He called, "Abner, are you not going to answer me?" Abner shouted back, "Who are you, shouting at the king?"

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

15David said to Abner, "You are a brave man, are you not? Nobody in Israel is like you. So why did you not guard the king, your master? Someone came into the camp to kill him.

And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

NoteA king's guards slept close by to keep him safe at night. Abner was the man in charge of guarding Saul.

16What you did was not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you all should die for this. You did not guard your master, the man God chose as king. Now look for the king's spear and the water jug that were by his head."

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

17Saul knew David's voice. He said, "Is that your voice, David my son?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord and king."

And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

NoteSaul was not really David's father. Calling a younger man "my son" was a warm, kind way to speak.

18David said, "Why are you chasing me, my king? I serve you. What have I done? What wrong have I done?

And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

NoteDavid calls himself the king's servant. That was a polite way to talk to a king.

19Please listen to me, my king. If the LORD has turned you against me, then let a gift be given to him. But if people talked you into it, may they be cursed. They have chased me away from my home in the land the LORD gave us. They said, "Go away and serve other gods."

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

NoteAn offering was a gift given to God, often an animal or grain. To curse someone was to ask God to punish them. The land was the home God had given his people. Away from it, people prayed to other gods.

20Do not let my blood spill on the ground far from the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to hunt one little flea. It is like hunting a small bird in the mountains."

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

NoteA flea is a tiny bug that hops. It is far too small to be worth chasing. A partridge is a bird that runs along the ground and is very hard to catch.

21Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never hurt you again. Today you treated my life as something precious. I have acted like a fool. I was very, very wrong."

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

NoteTo sin means to do something wrong against God.

22David answered, "Here is the king's spear. Send one of your young men over to get it.

And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

23May the LORD pay back every person for doing right and staying true. Today the LORD put you in my power. But I would not lift my hand against the man he chose as king.

The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed.

24Today I treated your life as precious. So may the LORD treat my life as precious too. And may he save me out of every trouble."

And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

25Then Saul said, "May you be blessed, David my son. You will do great things. You will win." Then David went on his way, and Saul went back home.

Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

NoteTo bless someone is to ask God to be good to them.

1David thought to himself, "Someday Saul will kill me. The best thing I can do is run away to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up looking for me in Israel. That way I will get away from him."

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

NoteThe Philistines lived by the sea, next to Israel. They had strong cities and often fought against Israel. Saul was the king of Israel. He had been trying to catch David for a long time.

2So David left. He took the six hundred men who were with him. They went to Achish, the son of Maoch, who was king of the city of Gath.

And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

NoteGath was one of the biggest Philistine cities. David was hiding in the land of Israel's enemies. He hoped Saul would not follow him there.

3David and his men lived in Gath with Achish. Each man brought his family with him. David brought his two wives. They were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel, who had been married to Nabal.

And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.

NoteLong ago, some men had more than one wife. Nabal had been Abigail's husband before. He died, and then David married her.

4Someone told Saul that David had run away to Gath. So Saul stopped looking for him.

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

5David said to Achish, "If you are pleased with me, please do this. Give me a place in one of the smaller towns to live. Why should I live here in the king's city with you?"

And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

NoteThe king's city was where the king lived. It was busy and crowded with the king's people. David wanted a town of his own, farther away.

6That day Achish gave David the town of Ziklag. That is why Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

NoteJudah was the part of Israel where David's family lived. Later, Judah had its own kings. "Ever since" means the town still belonged to them when this story was written down.

7David lived in the land of the Philistines for one year and four months.

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

8David and his men went out and attacked the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. Those peoples had lived in that land for a very long time. Their land stretched toward Shur and all the way to Egypt.

And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

NoteThe Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites were small groups of people. They lived in the dry land south of Israel. Shur was a desert place near Egypt.

9When David attacked a place, he left no man or woman alive. He took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, and the camels. He took their clothes too. Then he went back to Achish.

And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

NoteIn those days, soldiers took things from the people they beat. Animals and clothes were worth a lot back then. Taking them was how an army got paid.

10Achish would ask, "Where did you raid today?" David would say, "The dry south country of Judah," or "the south country of the Jerahmeelites," or "the south country of the Kenites."

And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

NoteA raid is a quick, surprise attack to take things away. The Jerahmeelites and Kenites were friends of Israel. David told Achish he was attacking Israel's own side. That was not true, and Achish could not check.

11David left no man or woman alive to be taken back to Gath. He said, "If I did, they might tell on us. They would say, 'This is what David did.'" David kept doing this the whole time he lived among the Philistines.

And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

12Achish trusted David. He thought, "David's own people, Israel, must hate him now. So he will be my servant forever."

And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

NoteA servant here means a fighter who works for a king. Achish thought David could never go home to Israel again. So he believed David would have to stay and serve him.

1The Philistines brought all their soldiers together at a place called Aphek. The Israelites set up camp by the spring of water at Jezreel.

Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived by the sea. They fought against Israel many times. Aphek and Jezreel were two places in the land. Jezreel had a wide flat valley where armies liked to fight.

2The Philistine leaders marched out with their groups of soldiers. David and his men marched at the back with Achish, a Philistine king.

And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

NoteDavid was hiding from King Saul, who wanted to kill him. So David went to live in Philistine land with King Achish. Now the Philistines were marching out to fight Israel, David's own people.

3The Philistine commanders asked, "Why are these Hebrews here?" Achish said, "This is David. He used to serve Saul, the king of Israel. He has been with me for a long time now, even years. Since the day he came to me, he has done nothing wrong."

Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

NoteHebrews was another name for the people of Israel. Commanders were the men who led the army.

4The Philistine commanders were angry with Achish. They said, "Send that man back. Let him go to the town you gave him. He must not go into battle with us. In the fight he might turn against us. What better way to please his old master than by cutting off our heads?

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

NoteAchish had given David a town of his own to live in. Its name was Ziklag. In those days soldiers sometimes cut off the heads of enemies. They carried them home to show they had won the fight.

5This is the same David. People sang about him in their dances. They sang, 'Saul killed thousands, but David killed tens of thousands.'"

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

NotePeople sang this song long ago, after David killed the giant Goliath. Women danced and sang it in the streets. The song made King Saul very jealous.

6So Achish called David and said, "As surely as the LORD lives, you have been honest with me. I would be glad to have you march out and back with my army. Since the day you came to me, I have found nothing bad in you. But the other leaders do not approve of you.

Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

Note"As surely as the LORD lives" was a strong way to promise something. It meant "I am telling you the truth." LORD in big letters is God's special name.

7So go back now, and go in peace. Do not do anything to upset the Philistine leaders."

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.

8David said to Achish, "But what have I done wrong? What have you found against me since the day I came to you? Why can't I go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?"

And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

Note"My lord the king" was a polite way to speak to a king. Here David was talking about Achish.

9Achish answered, "I know you are good in my eyes, like an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said you must not go into battle with us.

And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

Note"Like an angel of God" was a big compliment. It meant Achish thought David was completely good and safe to trust.

10So get up early tomorrow morning. Take your master's servants who came with you. Leave as soon as it is light."

Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.

Note"Your master's servants" means the men who came along with David.

11So David and his men got up early to leave. They went back to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines marched up to Jezreel.

So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

NoteThe Philistines kept marching north to Jezreel. Saul and the Israelite army were camped there.

1David and his men got back to their town, Ziklag, on the third day. While they were gone, raiders called Amalekites had attacked the south. They attacked Ziklag and burned it down.

And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

NoteThe Amalekites were a desert people who lived by raiding. They rode in fast, took what they wanted, and rode away. Ziklag was the town where David and his men lived. A Philistine king had given it to David to use.

2They took the women away, and everyone else, young and old. They did not kill anyone. They carried them off as they left.

And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

NoteTaken captive means taken away as prisoners. They would be forced to work for the people who took them.

3David and his men came to the town. It was burned. Their wives, sons, and daughters were gone.

So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4David and the men with him cried out loud. They cried until they had no strength left to cry.

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

NoteLong ago people cried out loud when something terrible happened. Nobody hid their tears. Crying together was the normal thing to do.

5David's two wives were taken too. They were Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail, who had been Nabal's wife.

And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

NoteIn those days a man could have more than one wife. David had two.

6David was very upset. The men were so sad about their children that they talked about throwing stones at him. But David found new strength in the LORD his God.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

NoteThrowing stones at a person was how angry crowds killed someone. The men were sad and angry enough to talk about doing it. LORD in big letters stands for God's own name.

7David spoke to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech. David said, "Please bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought it to him.

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

NoteAn ephod was a special vest that a priest wore. It held stones that were used to ask God a question. God would answer yes or no. A priest was a man who served God for the people.

8David asked the LORD, "Should I chase these raiders? Will I catch them?" The LORD said, "Go after them. You will catch them, and you will get everyone back."

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

9So David went, and his six hundred men went with him. They came to a stream called Besor. Some of the men stayed there.

So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

NoteThe six hundred men were David's whole group of fighters. They had followed him for years while King Saul chased him.

10Two hundred men were too tired to cross the stream, so they stayed behind. David kept going with four hundred men.

But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

11Out in a field the men found a man from Egypt. They brought him to David. They gave him bread to eat and water to drink.

And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

NoteEgypt was a large country far away to the south. This man was a long way from home.

12They gave him a piece of fig cake and two bunches of raisins. He ate, and he felt strong again. He had eaten and drunk nothing for three days and three nights.

And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

NoteA fig cake was dried figs pressed flat into a block. It was sweet and easy to carry on a long trip. Raisins are dried grapes.

13David asked him, "Who do you belong to? Where are you from?" He said, "I am a young man from Egypt. I am the servant of an Amalekite. My master left me behind three days ago when I got sick.

And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

NoteThe man was a slave. Someone owned him and made him work.

14We raided the south where the Cherethites live. We raided land that belongs to Judah, and the south of Caleb. We burned Ziklag down."

We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

NoteThe Cherethites were a people who lived near the sea, south of Israel. Judah was the part of Israel that David's family came from. Caleb was a famous man from long before, and his family lived in that land.

15David asked him, "Can you take me to those raiders?" He said, "Promise me before God that you will not kill me. Promise you will not hand me back to my master. Then I will take you to them."

And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

NotePromising before God was the most serious promise a person could make. People believed God heard it and would not forget it.

16The man led David down to them. The Amalekites were spread out all over the ground. They were eating and drinking and dancing. They were glad about all they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah.

And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

NoteThe Philistines lived near the sea. They and Israel fought each other often.

17David fought them from early evening until the evening of the next day. Not one of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels.

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

NoteCamels are tall animals with humps on their backs. They can run fast and travel far without water.

18David got back everything the Amalekites had carried away. He rescued his two wives.

And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

19Nothing at all was missing. Not one child, young or old. Not one thing the raiders had taken. David brought it all back.

And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

20David also took all the sheep and cattle. His men drove them ahead of the other animals. They said, "This belongs to David."

And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.

NoteThe leader of a raid got a special share of what was brought back. These animals were David's share.

21David came back to the two hundred men at the Besor stream. They had been too tired to keep going with him. They came out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them kindly.

And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.

22But some mean and selfish men who had gone with David spoke up. They said, "These men did not come with us. So they get nothing of what we brought back. Each one may take his wife and children and go."

Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.

NoteThe King James calls these men "men of Belial". That was an old way of saying men who were no good.

23David said, "No, my brothers. Do not do that with what the LORD has given us. He kept us safe. He handed the raiders over to us.

Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

24Who would agree with you? The man who stayed with the supplies gets the same share as the man who fought. They will share alike."

For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.

NoteThe supplies were the food, bags, and gear left behind. Someone had to stay and guard them while the others fought.

25From that day on, that is how it was done. David made it a law for Israel, and it is still the rule today.

And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

NoteA law is a rule that everyone has to follow. David's rule about sharing was kept for many years after this.

26When David got back to Ziklag, he sent some of the goods to his friends, the leaders of Judah. He said, "Here is a gift for you from what we took from the LORD's enemies."

And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

NoteElders were the older men who led a town. People went to them when something had to be decided. Sending gifts was a way to say thank you and stay friends.

27He sent gifts to the people in Bethel, and in Ramoth in the south, and in Jattir.

To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,

NoteThese were small towns in the dry country in the south. David and his men had hidden all around there when Saul was chasing him.

28He sent gifts to the people in Aroer, in Siphmoth, and in Eshtemoa.

And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,

29He sent gifts to the people in Rachal, and to the towns of the Jerahmeelites, and to the towns of the Kenites.

And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,

NoteThe Jerahmeelites and the Kenites were family groups. Each group was named after a grandfather from long ago. They lived near the land of Judah.

30He sent gifts to the people in Hormah, in Chorashan, and in Athach.

And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,

31He sent gifts to the people in Hebron, and to every place where David and his men used to go.

And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.

NoteHebron was the most important town in that part of the country. David would live there later on.

1Saul the king had died. David had just come back from fighting the Amalekites. He had been staying in the town of Ziklag for two days.

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

NoteThe Amalekites were a people who often fought against Israel. Ziklag was a small town where David and his men lived. Saul was the king of Israel before David.

2On the third day a man came from Saul's army camp. His clothes were torn and there was dirt on his head. He came to David, bowed low, and put his face to the ground.

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

NoteLong ago, people tore their clothes to show they were very sad. They also put dirt or ashes on their heads. It was their way of saying, "Something terrible has happened." Bowing low with your face to the ground showed great respect.

3David asked him, "Where have you come from?" The man said, "I got away from Israel's camp."

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4David asked, "What happened? Please tell me." The man said, "Our soldiers ran away from the fight. Many of them fell and died. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too."

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

5David asked the young man who told him this, "How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"

And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

6The young man said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa. Saul was there, leaning on his spear. Enemy chariots and men on horses were coming closer and closer.

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

NoteMount Gilboa is a hill in Israel where the big battle happened. A chariot was a small cart pulled by horses. Soldiers rode in chariots to fight.

7Then Saul turned around and saw me. He called out to me. I answered, 'I am here.'

And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8He asked me, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9Then he said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me. I am in great pain, but I am still alive.'

He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10So I stood over him and killed him. I knew he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown off his head and the band off his arm. I brought them here to you, my master."

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

NoteA crown and a gold arm band were things only a king wore. Bringing them to David proved the man had really seen Saul.

11Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them. All the men who were with him tore their clothes too.

Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12They cried and were very sad. They ate no food until evening. They grieved for Saul, for his son Jonathan, for the LORD's people, and for all Israel. So many of them had died in the battle.

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

NoteGoing without food was a way to show deep sadness. People did this when someone they loved had died. The word LORD in capital letters is God's own special name.

13David asked the young man who told him this, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner. I am an Amalekite."

And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

NoteA foreigner is someone whose family came from another country.

14David said to him, "Saul was the king the LORD chose. Why were you not afraid to lift your hand and kill him?"

And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?

NoteWhen a man became king, oil was poured on his head. This showed that God had chosen him. People called such a king "the LORD's anointed." Hurting the king was seen as a very serious crime.

15Then David called one of his young men over. He said, "Go and put him to death." So the young man struck him down, and he died.

And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16David said to the Amalekite, "What has happened to you is your own fault. Your own mouth said you killed the king the LORD chose."

And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.

Note"Thy blood be upon thy head" was an old way of speaking. It meant, "What happens to you is your own doing."

17Then David sang a sad song about Saul and about his son Jonathan.

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

NoteA sad song sung when someone dies is called a lament. People sang these songs out loud so everyone could remember.

18He said the people of Judah should be taught this song. It is called the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jasher.

(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

NoteJudah was one of the big family groups of Israel. The Book of Jasher was an old book of songs and stories. Nobody has that book anymore. It is lost.

19"Israel, your best and finest men lie dead on your hills. See how the strong ones have fallen!

The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

Note"The mighty" means the strongest and bravest soldiers. "High places" here just means the hills where they died.

20Do not tell the news in the town of Gath. Do not say it in the streets of Ashkelon. The women of the Philistines must not be glad. The daughters of our enemies must not cheer.

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

NoteGath and Ashkelon were towns of the Philistines. The Philistines were a people who lived near the sea and fought Israel often. "The daughters of the uncircumcised" was a way of saying the women of those enemy people.

21Mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you. May no grain grow in your fields for gifts to God. There a strong man's shield was thrown down and left in the dirt. It was Saul's shield, and no one rubbed it with oil anymore.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

NoteDew is the water that sits on grass early in the morning. Grain was grown to give to God as a gift, or offering. Soldiers rubbed oil on their leather shields to keep them smooth and shiny. A shield left in the dirt meant its owner had died.

22Jonathan's bow did not turn back from the enemies it struck. Saul's sword never came home without doing its work.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

NoteA bow shoots arrows from far away. A sword is used up close. Saying they never "came back empty" meant these two men always won their fights.

23People loved Saul and Jonathan and were glad to be near them. In life and in death, the two of them stayed together. They were faster than eagles. They were stronger than lions.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24Women of Israel, cry for Saul. He gave you fine red clothes and other good things. He put gold on the clothes you wore.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

NoteScarlet is a bright red cloth. It cost a lot, so only rich people wore it. A king shared such gifts when his army won a battle.

25See how the strong ones have fallen right in the middle of the fight! Jonathan lies dead on your hills.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26I am very sad for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful. It meant more to me than the love of women.

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

NoteHere "love" means the deep, loyal friendship between two close friends. David and Jonathan had promised to stand by each other always.

27See how the strong ones have fallen! The weapons of war are broken and gone."

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

1After this, David asked God a question. He said, "Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" God said, "Go up." David asked, "Which one?" God said, "Hebron."

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

NoteDavid asked God by going to a priest, one of God's special helpers. The priest had a way of bringing back God's answer, yes or no. Judah was one of the big family groups in Israel.

2So David went to Hebron. His two wives went too. They were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been married to Nabal from Carmel.

So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.

NoteLong ago, important men often had more than one wife. That was normal then.

3David also brought the men who were with him. Each man brought his family. They all made their homes in the towns near Hebron.

And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

4The men of Judah came to Hebron. There they poured oil on David's head to make him their king. Then they told David, "The men of Jabesh-gilead were the ones who buried Saul."

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

NotePouring oil on a man's head was how people made him king. It was a sign that God had picked him. Saul was the king before David, and Saul had just died.

5So David sent men with a message to the people of Jabesh-gilead. He said, "May God bless you. You were kind to Saul, your king, when you buried him."

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

NoteSaul died in a battle far from home. His enemies took his body and hung it on a wall. The men of Jabesh-gilead were brave. They went and got the body and buried it kindly.

6"Now may God be kind and true to you. And I will be good to you too, because you did this."

And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

7"So be strong and brave. Saul, your king, is dead. But the people of Judah have made me their king."

Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

8Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner was the leader of Saul's army. He took Saul's son Ish-bosheth to a town called Mahanaim.

But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

NoteAbner was the leader of Saul's whole army. Ish-bosheth was one of Saul's sons. Mahanaim was a town far off, on the other side of the Jordan River.

9There he made Ish-bosheth king. He ruled over Gilead, the Ashurite people, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all the rest of Israel.

And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

NoteThese are names of lands and family groups in Israel. Israel was made of twelve family groups called tribes.

10Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he started to rule Israel. He ruled for two years. But the people of Judah followed David instead.

Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

NoteNow there were two kings at the same time. Ish-bosheth ruled the north. David ruled Judah in the south.

11David was king in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months.

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

6The two families kept fighting. During that time Abner, the leader of Saul's army, grew more and more powerful among Saul's people.

And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

7Saul had a woman named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. She was one of his wives, but with a lower place in the family. Ishbosheth, Saul's son, asked Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's wife?"

And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

NoteA woman like Rizpah belonged to the king alone. So people thought a man who took the old king's wife wanted to be king himself. That is why Ishbosheth was upset.

8Abner became very angry at what Ishbosheth said. He answered, "Am I some worthless dog working for Judah? All this time I have stayed loyal to your father Saul's family, his brothers, and his friends. I have not handed you over to David. And now you blame me about this woman!"

Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

NoteCalling someone a dog's head was a strong insult. Dogs then were not pets. They ran wild and ate garbage. Judah was the part of the land where David was king.

9Abner said, "May God punish me very badly if I do not help David now. The LORD made a promise to David, and I will help make it come true."

So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

NoteWhen you see LORD in big letters, it stands for God's own name. It is the special name God gave to his people.

10"God promised to take the kingdom away from Saul's family. He promised to make David king over Israel and Judah, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south."

To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

NoteDan was the town farthest north in the land. Beersheba was the town farthest south. Naming both means the whole country, top to bottom.

11Ishbosheth could not say one word back to Abner. He was afraid of him.

And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

12Then Abner sent messengers to David with this message: "Who should own this land? Make an agreement with me. I will help you. I will bring all Israel over to your side."

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

NoteAn agreement like this was a very serious promise. People believed God was listening when they made one.

13David answered, "Good. I will make an agreement with you. But I ask one thing first. Do not come to see me unless you bring Michal, Saul's daughter, with you." Michal had been David's wife.

And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

NoteMichal was Saul's daughter and David's first wife. Saul later took her back and gave her to another man.

14David also sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son. He said, "Give me back my wife Michal. I paid for her with skin cut from a hundred dead Philistines."

And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

NoteThe Philistines were enemies who fought Israel again and again. In those days a man gave a gift to the family when he married. Saul told David to bring proof that he had beaten a hundred Philistines instead. The cut skin was that proof.

15So Ishbosheth sent men and took Michal away from her husband. Her husband was Phaltiel, the son of Laish.

And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

16Phaltiel walked behind her, crying all the way to the town of Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home." So he went back.

And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

NoteBahurim was a small town along the road. Phaltiel had to stop there and go home alone.

17Abner talked with the leaders of Israel. He said, "For a long time now you have wanted David to be your king."

And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

NoteThe leaders here were older men that the towns trusted. People listened to what they decided.

18"So do it now. The LORD said about David, 'I will use my servant David to save my people Israel. I will save them from the Philistines and from all their enemies.'"

Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

19Abner also spoke to the people of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David all that Israel and Benjamin had agreed to do.

And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

NoteIsrael was made of twelve big family groups called tribes. Benjamin was Saul's own tribe.

20So Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men. David made a big meal for Abner and the men with him.

So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

NoteEating a meal together showed that two people were now friends. It was like shaking hands on a promise.

21Abner said to David, "Let me go now. I will gather all Israel to you, my king. They will make an agreement with you. Then you will rule over all you wish." David sent Abner away, and Abner left in peace.

And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

22Just then Joab and David's soldiers came back from a raid. Joab was the leader of David's army. They brought back many things they had taken. Abner was not with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away in peace.

And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

NoteArmies then took food, animals, and goods from their enemies. That was part of how soldiers were paid.

23When Joab and all his soldiers arrived, someone told him the news. "Abner son of Ner came to the king. The king sent him away, and he left in peace."

When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

24So Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Abner came to you. Why did you send him away? Now he has gotten clean away!"

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25"You know Abner son of Ner. He came to trick you. He came to learn where you go and everything you do."

Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

26Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought Abner back from the well of Sirah. David did not know about it.

And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

NoteThe well of Sirah was a water well beside the road. It was a short way outside Hebron.

27When Abner came back to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gateway. He acted as if he wanted to talk quietly. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and Abner died. Joab did it to pay Abner back for killing his brother Asahel.

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

NoteA town gate was a wide doorway where people met and talked. In those days, if a man was killed, his family was expected to pay the killer back. Joab was doing that for his brother Asahel.

28Later David heard what had happened. He said, "I did not kill Abner son of Ner. The LORD knows my kingdom and I are not guilty of his death, now or ever."

And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

29"Let the blame fall on Joab and on all his father's family. May Joab's family always have someone who is sick and does not get well, or has a bad skin disease. May some need a stick to walk. May some die by the sword. May some go hungry."

Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

NotePeople then stayed away from anyone with a bad skin disease. So being sick that way meant living apart from friends and family.

30Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner. They did it because Abner had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

31David said to Joab and to all the people with him, "Tear your clothes. Put on rough, scratchy cloth. Cry for Abner." King David himself walked behind the bed that carried Abner's body.

And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

NoteTearing your clothes and wearing rough cloth showed deep sadness. Everyone who saw you knew you were grieving.

32They buried Abner in Hebron. The king cried out loud at Abner's grave. All the people cried too.

And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

33The king sang a sad song for Abner. He sang, "Should Abner have died the way a foolish man dies?"

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

NoteA fool here means someone who did wrong and got what he deserved. David is saying Abner did not deserve this.

34"Your hands were not tied. Your feet were not put in chains. You fell the way a man falls to wicked men." And all the people cried for Abner again.

Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

NotePrisoners had their hands and feet tied with chains. Abner was not a prisoner. He was killed by a trick.

35It was still daytime. The people came and begged David to eat something. But David made a promise. He said, "May God punish me if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down."

And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

NoteGoing without food showed people how sad you were. That is called fasting. In the King James Bible, the word "meat" means any food, not just meat from animals.

36All the people saw what David did, and it made them glad. In fact, everything the king did made the people glad.

And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

37That day all the soldiers and all Israel understood one thing clearly. The king had not asked anyone to kill Abner son of Ner.

For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

38The king said to his servants, "Do you not see what happened today? A leader and a great man has died in Israel."

And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39"Today I feel weak, even though I have been chosen as king. These men, Joab and Abishai, the sons of Zeruiah, are too strong for me. May the LORD pay back the man who does evil for the evil he does."

And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

NoteAnointed means oil was poured on his head. That showed God had chosen him to be king. Zeruiah was David's sister, so Joab and Abishai were David's nephews.