Saul

17Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter, Merab. I will let you marry her. Just be brave for me and fight the LORD's battles." But Saul was thinking something else. He thought, "I will not hurt David myself. I will let the Philistines do it."

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

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

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

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

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

19The time came for Merab to be given to David. But Saul gave her to a different man instead. That man was Adriel from a town called Meholah.

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

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

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

21Saul thought, "I will give Michal to David. She will be a trap for him. Then the Philistines can kill him." So Saul said to David, "Now you have a second chance to become my son-in-law."

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

22Saul told his helpers what to do. He said, "Talk to David quietly. Tell him the king is pleased with him. Tell him all the king's helpers love him. Then tell him to marry the king's daughter."

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

23Saul's helpers said those words to David. David said, "Do you think it is a small thing to marry a king's daughter? I am a poor man, and people do not think much of me."

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

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

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

25Saul said, "Tell David this. The king does not want money for his daughter. He wants a hundred foreskins from dead Philistine men. That will pay back the king's enemies." But Saul was really hoping the Philistines would kill David.

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

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

26The helpers told David what the king wanted. David was glad to become the king's son-in-law. The wedding day had not come yet.

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

27So David went out with his men. They killed two hundred Philistines. David brought back the foreskins. He counted out every one of them for the king. That way he could become the king's son-in-law. So Saul let David marry his daughter Michal.

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

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

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

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

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

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

30The Philistine leaders kept coming out to fight. Every time, David did better than all of Saul's other officers. So people spoke of David with great respect.

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

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

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

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

2But Jonathan loved David very much. He warned David, "My father Saul wants to kill you. Please be careful in the morning. Go find a hiding place and stay there.

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

3I will go out and stand next to my father in the field where you are hiding. I will talk to him about you. Then I will tell you what I find out."

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

4Jonathan said good things about David to his father Saul. He said, "The king should not do wrong to his servant David. David has done nothing wrong to you. Everything he did helped you.

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

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

5He risked his own life when he killed the Philistine giant. The LORD used him to save all of Israel. You saw it, and you were glad. So why hurt someone who has done nothing wrong? Why kill David for no reason?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9One day Saul sat in his house with his spear in his hand. A harmful spirit from the LORD came over him. David was playing music on his harp.

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

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

10Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear. David jumped away, and the spear hit the wall. David ran off and got away that night.

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

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

11Saul sent men to watch David's house. They were going to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him. She said, "If you do not run tonight, you will be dead tomorrow."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17Saul asked Michal, "Why did you trick me? You let my enemy get away!" Michal answered, "He told me to help him go, or he would kill me."

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

18So David ran away and got safely out. He went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.

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

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

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

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

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

20Saul sent men to catch David. They saw a group of prophets speaking God's words, with Samuel leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul's men, and they spoke God's words too.

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

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

21Saul heard about this and sent more men. They also began speaking God's words. Saul sent men a third time, and the same thing happened.

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

22So Saul went to Ramah himself. He came to the big well at Sechu and asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "They are at Naioth in Ramah."

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

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

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

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

24He pulled off his robes and spoke God's words in front of Samuel. Then he lay on the ground with no clothes on, all that day and all that night. That is why people say, "Is Saul one of the prophets too?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29He said, 'Please let me go. My family is giving a gift to God in the city. My brother told me to be there. Please let me go and see my brothers.' That is why he is not at your table."

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

30Then Saul got very angry at Jonathan. He said, "You son of a twisted, disobedient woman! I know you have picked Jesse's son. You are shaming yourself and the mother who gave birth to you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

34Jonathan got up from the table, very angry. He ate no food that whole day. He was sad for David, because his father had shamed him.

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

6Saul 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.

When 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;)

NoteA tamarisk tree is a shade tree with small feathery leaves. Gibeah was Saul's hometown. Saul kept his spear in his hand. Holding it showed everyone that he was the king.

7Saul 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?

Then 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;

NoteIsrael was made of twelve big family groups called tribes. Saul and these servants all came from the tribe of Benjamin. David came from a different tribe, called Judah. Saul will not even say David's name here. In the old words he only calls him "the son of Jesse." Jesse was David's father.

8Is 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."

That 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?

NoteSaul's son was named Jonathan, and he was David's best friend. The two had promised to stay loyal to each other always. Saul felt his own son had chosen David instead of him.

9A 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.

Then 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.

NoteEdom was another country, south of Israel. So Doeg was not from Israel. Nob was a town where many priests lived together.

10Ahimelech asked the LORD what David should do. He also gave David food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

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

NotePeople asked God questions through a priest. The priest asked God, then told the person what God said. Goliath was the huge enemy soldier David had beaten years before. David had kept Goliath's sword.

11So 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.

Then 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.

NoteA priest was a man who worked at God's holy tent. Priests helped people pray and bring their gifts to God.

12Saul said, "Listen to me, son of Ahitub." Ahimelech answered, "I am here, my lord."

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

Note"My lord" was a polite way to speak to a king. It is like saying "sir" to someone important.

13Saul 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."

And 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?

14Ahimelech 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.

Then 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?

NoteDavid had married Saul's daughter. That made David part of the king's own family.

15That 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."

Did 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.

16But the king said, "Ahimelech, you will surely die. So will everyone in your family."

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

17The 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.

And 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.

NoteGuards had to obey a king or they could be punished. These guards still said no. Hurting God's priests felt too wrong to them.

18So 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.

And 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.

NoteA linen ephod was a special vest that priests wore. Linen is a light, soft cloth. The vest showed that a man served God.

19He 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.

And 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.

NoteArmies long ago sometimes destroyed a whole town. They took away the people and even the animals. Nothing was left behind.

20But one son of Ahimelech got away. His name was Abiathar, and he ran to David.

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

21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.

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

22David 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.

And 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.

NoteEarlier, David had gone to Nob to ask for food. Doeg was there that day and saw him.

23Stay with me. Do not be afraid. The man who wants to kill me also wants to kill you. You will be safe with me."

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

14David 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.

And 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.

NoteSaul was king, but God had chosen David to be king next. That is why Saul kept hunting him. A safe hiding spot might be a cave or a high rock.

15David was at a place called the wood, in the desert of Ziph. He saw that Saul had come out to kill him.

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

NoteThe wood was the name of a place. It may have been a spot with trees.

16Then Jonathan, Saul's son, went to David at the wood. He helped David feel strong in God.

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

17Jonathan 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."

And 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.

NoteJonathan was the king's son. Usually a king's son becomes the next king. Jonathan said David should have that place instead of him.

18The two of them made a promise to each other before the LORD. David stayed at the wood. Jonathan went home.

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

NoteThey promised to stay friends and keep each other safe. Back then a promise like this was taken very seriously.

19Then 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.

Then 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?

NoteThese men lived in Ziph, close to where David was hiding. Gibeah was Saul's home town. Jeshimon means dry, empty land.

20So come down whenever you want, O king. We will make sure you get him."

Now 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.

21Saul said, "May the LORD bless you. You have been kind to me.

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

22Please go and get ready. Watch where he goes. Find out who has seen him there. People tell me he is very clever.

Go, 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.

23Look 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."

See 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.

NoteFamilies in Judah were grouped into big family groups. Saul said he would search every single one.

24So they went to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the desert of Maon, on the flat land south of Jeshimon.

And 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.

25Saul 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.

Saul 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.

NoteThe rock was a big rocky hill out in the dry land.

26Saul 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.

And 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.

27Then a messenger came to Saul. He said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking our land."

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

NoteA messenger was someone who ran to carry news. There were no phones then.

28So Saul stopped chasing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why people call that place Selahammahlekoth.

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

NoteThis long name means "rock of getting away." People named the place after what happened there.

29David went up from there. He lived in the safe hiding spots at Engedi.

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

NoteEngedi was a green spot with fresh water near a big lake. It had many caves where people could hide.

1Saul 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.

And 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.

NoteSaul was the king of Israel. God had already chosen David to be king after him. Saul knew this, and it made him angry and afraid. So he kept hunting David. Engedi was a place near a big salty lake. It had water, tall cliffs, and many caves.

2So 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.

Then 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.

NoteThree thousand soldiers is a huge crowd for chasing one small group. The Rocks of the Wild Goats was a name for steep, rocky cliffs. Wild goats climbed there easily. People did not.

3On 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.

And 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.

NoteA sheep pen was a low wall of stones. Shepherds kept their sheep safe inside it at night. Caves in that land were deep and very dark. A man near the door could not see people hiding far back. The King James says Saul went in to "cover his feet." That was a polite way of saying he needed the bathroom.

4David's men said 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.

And 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.

NoteKings wore long robes with wide corners. The corner of a robe showed who the person was. Cutting one off was a bold thing to do. It also gave David proof. He could hold it up and show he had been close enough to kill.

5Afterward, David felt bad inside. He was sorry he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.

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

NoteThe King James says David's "heart smote him." Smote means struck or hit. It is a way of saying he felt bad inside.

6He 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."

And 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.

NotePouring oil on a person's head was how Israel made someone king. People called that king "the LORD's anointed." Anointed means the one with the oil on him. Hurting him was seen as a very serious wrong.

7David'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.

So 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.

8After 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.

David 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.

NoteBowing with your face to the ground was how people greeted a king. It showed respect. David was showing he was still Saul's servant.

9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men who say I want to hurt you?"

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

10"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."

Behold, 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.

11"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."

Moreover, 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.

NoteDavid called Saul "my father" as a word of respect. David had also married Saul's daughter. So Saul really was his father-in-law.

12"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."

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

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

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

NoteA proverb is a short saying that people say again and again. This one was old even then. It means bad deeds come out of bad hearts.

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

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

NoteDogs then were not pets. They ran wild and ate scraps. Calling yourself a dead dog meant you were small and not worth anyone's time. A flea is tiny and hard to catch. David is saying, why send an army after someone like me?

15"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."

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

NoteIn that time a judge listened to both sides of an argument. Then he said who was right. "Speak up for me" means to tell the judge your side, the way a lawyer does.

16When David finished speaking, Saul called back, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul cried out loud.

And 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.

NoteSaul called David "my son" because David had married his daughter. Crying out loud in front of others was normal then. People did not hide their tears.

17Saul said to David, "You are more in the right than I am. You have been good to me. I have been bad to you."

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

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

And 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.

19"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."

For 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.

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

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

21"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."

Swear 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.

NoteWhen a new king took over, he often killed the old king's family. That way no one could try to take the throne back. A family name lived on through children and grandchildren. Saul is asking David to let his family go on living.

22David made that promise to Saul. Then Saul went home. David and his men went back up to their safe hiding place in the rocks.

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

NoteA promise made before the LORD was called an oath. People believed an oath could never be taken back.

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.