Saul

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

Saul heard that people had found David and his men. Saul was sitting in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree on the hill. He held his spear, and all his servants stood around him.

7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

Saul said to his servants, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Do you think David will give you fields and grape farms? Do you think he will make you leaders over his soldiers?

8That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Is that why all of you have turned against me? Nobody told me my own son made a promise with David. Nobody feels sorry for me. Nobody told me my son helped David plan to attack me."

9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

A man named Doeg from Edom was standing with Saul's servants. He said, "I saw David come to the town of Nob. He came to Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub.

10And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

Ahimelech asked the LORD what David should do. He also gave David food and the sword of Goliath, the Philistine giant."

11Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.

So the king sent for Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub. He also sent for Ahimelech's whole family, the priests who lived in Nob. All of them came to the king.

12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

Saul said, "Listen to me, son of Ahitub." Ahimelech answered, "I am here, my lord."

13And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

Saul said, "Why did you and David plan against me? You gave him bread and a sword. You asked God what he should do. Now he is waiting to attack me."

14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

Ahimelech answered the king, "No servant of yours is as loyal as David. He is married to your daughter. He leads your guards, and your house honors him.

15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

That was not the first time I asked God for him. I would never plan against you! Please do not blame me or my family. I knew nothing at all about any of this."

16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.

But the king said, "Ahimelech, you will surely die. So will everyone in your family."

17And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

The king told the guards standing near him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD. They helped David. They knew he ran away and did not tell me." But the king's servants would not raise a hand against the priests of the LORD.

18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

So the king said to Doeg, "You turn and kill the priests." Doeg from Edom turned and killed them. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen vest of a priest.

19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

He also attacked Nob, the town where the priests lived. He killed the men and women there with the sword. He killed the children and babies too, and the cows, donkeys, and sheep.

20And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

But one son of Ahimelech got away. His name was Abiathar, and he ran to David.

21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.

Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.

22And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.

David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day that Doeg was there. I knew he would tell Saul. It is my fault that your whole family died.

23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

Stay with me. Do not be afraid. The man who wants to kill me also wants to kill you. You will be safe with me."

14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

David stayed in safe hiding spots out in the desert. He stayed in the hills of the desert of Ziph. Saul looked for him every day. But God did not let Saul catch him.

15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

David was at a place called the wood, in the desert of Ziph. He saw that Saul had come out to kill him.

16And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

Then Jonathan, Saul's son, went to David at the wood. He helped David feel strong and trust God again.

17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Jonathan said, "Do not be afraid. My father Saul will never catch you. You will be king over Israel. I will be right beside you. My father knows this too."

18And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

The two of them made a promise to each other before the LORD. David stayed at the wood. Jonathan went home.

19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

Then some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah. They said, "David is hiding near us. He is in the safe spots at the wood, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon.

20Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.

So come down whenever you want, O king. We will make sure you get him."

21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

Saul said, "May the LORD bless you. You have been kind to me.

22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.

Please go and get ready. Watch where he goes. Find out who has seen him there. People tell me he is very clever.

23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

Look carefully. Learn every hiding place he uses. Then come back and tell me for sure. After that I will go with you. If he is in this land, I will search every family in Judah."

24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

So they went to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the desert of Maon, on the flat land south of Jeshimon.

25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

Saul and his men went to look for David. Someone warned David, so he went down to the rock and stayed in the desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he chased David there.

26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

Saul went along one side of the mountain. David and his men went along the other side. David hurried to get away from Saul. But Saul and his men were closing in around them.

27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

Then a messenger came to Saul. He said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking our land."

28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

So Saul stopped chasing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why people call that place Selahammahlekoth.

29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

David went up from there. He lived in the safe hiding spots at Engedi.

1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.

Saul came back from chasing the Philistines, a people who fought Israel. Then someone told him, "David is out in the wilderness of Engedi." The wilderness is dry, empty land with rocks and caves.

2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

So Saul picked three thousand of his best soldiers from all Israel. He took them to look for David and his men near the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

On the way, Saul came to some sheep pens beside the road. There was a cave there. Saul went inside to go to the bathroom. David and his men were hiding far back in that same cave.

4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

David's men whispered to him, "This is the day the LORD told you about. He said he would put your enemy in your hands. Now you can do whatever you want with him." So David crept up quietly. He cut off a corner of Saul's robe.

5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.

Afterward, David felt bad inside. He was sorry he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

6And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

He said to his men, "I must never do such a thing to my master. God chose Saul to be king, and oil was poured on his head to show it. I will not lift my hand to hurt him."

7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

David's words held his men back. He did not let them attack Saul. Then Saul got up, walked out of the cave, and went on his way.

8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

After that, David got up and went out of the cave too. He called out, "My lord the king!" Saul looked behind him. David bowed down with his face to the ground.

9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men who say I want to hurt you?"

10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.

"Today you saw it with your own eyes. The LORD put you in my hands there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you. But I let you live. I said, I will not hurt my master, because God chose him to be king."

11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

"Look, my father. See this piece of your robe in my hand. I cut it off, but I did not kill you. So you can see I have done nothing wrong to you. I have not sinned against you. Yet you keep hunting me to take my life."

12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

"Let the LORD decide who is right, you or me. Let the LORD pay you back for what you are doing to me. But I will never lift my hand against you."

13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

"There is an old saying: bad things come from bad people. But I will never lift my hand against you."

14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

"Who is the king of Israel coming out to fight? Who are you chasing? A dead dog? A flea?"

15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

"Let the LORD be the judge between you and me. Let him look at what happened and speak up for me. Let him keep me safe from your hand."

16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

When David finished speaking, Saul called back, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul cried out loud.

17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

Saul said to David, "You are more in the right than I am. You have been good to me. I have been bad to you."

18And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

"Today you showed how well you have treated me. The LORD put me in your hands, and you did not kill me."

19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

"When a man finds his enemy, does he let him walk away safe? May the LORD be good to you for what you did for me today."

20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

"Now I know for sure that you will be king. The kingdom of Israel will be strong and steady under you."

21Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.

"So promise me now, before the LORD. Promise you will not kill my children and their children after me. Promise you will not wipe my family name away."

22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.

David made that promise to Saul. Then Saul went home. David and his men went back up to their safe hiding place in the rocks.

1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

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

2Then 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.

So 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.

3And 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.

Saul 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.

4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

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

5And 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.

Then 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.

6Then 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.

David 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."

7So 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.

So 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.

8Then 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.

Abishai 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."

9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?

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

10David 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.

David went on, "As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD will deal with Saul. Maybe his time to die will come. Maybe he will go to battle and be killed there.

11The 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.

But 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."

12So 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.

So 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.

13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

Then 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.

14And 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?

David 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?"

15And 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.

David 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.

16This 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.

What 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."

17And 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.

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

18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

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

19Now 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.

Please 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. It is as if they said, "Go away and serve other gods."

20Now 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.

Do 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."

21Then 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.

Then 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."

22And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

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

23The 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.

May 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.

24And, 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.

Today 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."

25Then 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.

Then 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.