Saul's selected band. CHAP. XIII. Samuel reproves him. 17 Is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I 7 And some of the Hebrews went over will call unto the LORD, and he shall send Jordan_to the land of Gad and Gilead. thunder and rain; that ye may perceives for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all and see that your wickedness is great, the people followed him trembling. which ye have done in the sight of the 8 ¶ And he tarried seven days, accordLORD, in asking you a king. ing to the set time that Samuel had ap18 So Samuel called unto the LORD; pointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal and the LORD sent thunder and rain that and the people were scattered from him. day and all the people greatly feared the 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burntLORD and Samuel. offering to me, and peace-offerings. And 19 And all the people said unto Samuel, he offered the burnt-offering, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as God, that we die not: for we have added he had made an end of offering the burntunto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king, offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul 20 ¶ And Samuel said unto the people, went out to meet him, that he might salute Fearnot: ye have done all this wickedness: him. yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 11 ¶ And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that LORD: I forced myself therefore, and ofI should sin against the LORD in ceasing to fered a burnt-offering. : pray for you: but I will teach you the 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast good and the right way: done foolishly thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. CHAP. XIII. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man SAUL reigned one year; and when he after his own heart, and the LORD hath had reigned two years over Israel, commanded him to be captain over his 2 Saul chose him three thousand men of people, because thou hast not kept that Israel; whereof two thousand were with which the LORD commanded thee. Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, 15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up and a thousand were with Jonathan in from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the And Saul numbered the people that were People he sent every man to his tent. present with him, about six hundred men, 3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of 16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the Philistines that was in Geba; and the the people that were present with them, Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the the trumpet throughout all the land, say- Philistines encamped in Michmash. ing, Let the Hebrews hear. 17 And the spoilers came out of the 4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had camp of the Philistines in three companies: smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and one company turned unto the way that that Israel also was had in abomination leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: with the Philistines: and the people were 18 And another company turned the called together after Saul to Gilgal. way to Beth-horon and another company 5 T And the Philistines gathered them- turned to the way of the border that lookselves together to fight with Israel, thirty eth to the valley of Zeboim towards the thousand chariots, and six thousand horse- wilderness. men, and people as the sand which is on 19 Now there was no smith found the sea-shore in multitude: and they came throughout all the land of Israel: (for the up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews-make from Beth-aven. them swords or spears:) : 6 When the men of Israel saw that they 20 But all the Israelites went down to were in a strait (for the people were dis- the Philistines, to sharpen every man his tressed) then the people did hide them- share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his selves in caves, and in thickets, and in mattock. rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, Jonathan miraculously smites 1. SAMUEL. the garrison of the Philistines. and for the coulters, and for the forks, and 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. hands and upon his feet, and his armour 22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, bearer after him: and they fell before Jonthat there was neither sword nor spear athan; and his armour-bearer slew after found in the hand of any of the people that him. were with Saul and Jonathan: but with 14 And that first slaughter, which JonaSaul and with Jonathan his son was there than and his armour-bearer made, was found. about twenty men, within as it were a half-acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plough. 23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash. CHAP. XIV. TOW it came to pass upon a day, that the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father. 2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men ; 15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the they trem bled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. 16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another. 17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who 3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-cha- is gone from us. And when they had numbod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son bered, behold, Jonathan and his armourof Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wear-bearer were not there. ing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone. 18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God 4¶ And between the passages by which was at that time with the children of Israel. Jonathan sought to go over unto the Phi- 19 And it came to pass while Saul listines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on talked unto the priest, that the noise that the one side, and a sharp rock on the other was in the host of the Philistines went on, side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and increased: and Saul said unto the and the name of the other Seneh. priest, Withdraw thine hand. 5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. 20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture. 21 Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also 7 And his armour-bearer said unto him, turned to be with the Israelites that were Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; be- with Saul and Jonathan. hold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel which 8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, pass over unto these men, and we will dis- when they heard that the Philistines fled, cover ourselves unto them. even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them. 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven. 10 But if they say thus, Come up unto 24 T And the men of Israel were disus; then we will go up: for the LORD hath tressed that day: for Saul had adjured the delivered them into our hand; and this people, saying, Cursed be the man that shall be a sign unto us. eateth any food until evening, that I may 11 And both of them discovered them- be avenged on mine enemies. So none of selves unto the garrison of the Philistines: the people tasted any food. and the Philistines said, Behold, the He- 25 And all they of the land came to a brews come forth out of the holes where wood; and there was honey upon the they had hid themselves. ground. 12 And the men of the garrison answer- 26 And when the people were come ed Jonathan and his armour-bearer, and into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; said, Come up to us, and we will shew you but no man put his hand to his mouth: for athing. AndJonathan said unto his armour- the people feared the oath. bearer, Come up after me: for the LORD 27 But Jonathan heard not when his hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. father charged the people with the oath: Saul's unadvised adjuration CHAP. XV. hinders the victory. wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And, was in his hand, and dipped it in a honey- Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and people escaped. his eyes were enlightened. 42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me 28 Then answered one of the people, and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was and said, Thy father straitly charged the taken. people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey 29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath with the end of the rod that was in mine troubled the land: see, I pray you, how hand, and lo, I must die. mine eyes have been enlightened, because 44 And Saul answered, God do so, and I tasted a little of this honey. more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jona30 How much more, if haply the people than. had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their 45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall enemies which they found? for had there Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great not been now a much greater slaughter salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the among the Philistines? LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his 31 And they smote the Philistines that head fall to the ground; for he hath day from Michmash to Ajalon: and the wrought with God this day. So the peopeople were very faint. ple rescued Jonathan, that he died not. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, 46 Then Saul went up from following and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and the Philistines: and the Philistines went slew them on the ground: and the people to their own place. did eat them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day. 34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. 35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD: 47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobab, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them. 48 And he gathered a host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and 36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the name of the captain of his host was Abthe Philistines by night, and spoil them aer, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. until the morning light, and let us not leave 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; a man of them. And they said, Do what-and Ner the father of Abner was the son soever seemeth good unto thee. Then of Abiel. said the priest, Let us draw near hither 52 And there was sore war against the unto God. Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. CHAP. XV. 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. AMUEL also said unto Saul, The SAMU 38 And Saul said, Draw ye near hither all the chief of the people: and know and king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. see wherein this sin hath been this day. 39 For as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he 2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I reshall surely die. But there was not a man member that which Amalek did to Israel, among all the people that answered him. how he laid wait for him in the way, when 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye he came up from Egypt. on one side, and I and Jonathan my son 3 Now go and sinite Amalek, and utwill be on the other side. And the people terly destroy all that they have, and spare said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good them not; but slay both man and woman, unto thee. infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel 41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD and ass. Saul smites the Amalekites. 1. SAMUEL. Samuel kills Agag. 4 And Saul gathered the people toge-[ 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, 1 ther, and numbered them in Telaim, two have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and hundred thousand footmen, and ten thou-have gone the way which the LORD sent sand men of Judah. me, and have brought Agag the king of 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the and laid wait in the valley. Amalekites. 6¶ And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, 21 But the people took of the spoil, depart, get you down from among the sheep and oxen, the chief of the things Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: which should have been utterly destroyed, for ye shewed kindness to all the children to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah, until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witch8 And he took Agag the king of the craft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the all the people with the edge of the sword. word of the LORD, he hath also rejected 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, thee from being king. and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, 24 T And Saul said unto Samuel, I have and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all sinned: for I have transgressed the comthat was good, and would not utterly de-mandment of the LORD, and thy words: stroy them: but every thing that was vile because I feared the people, and obeyed and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. their voice. 10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. 26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. 27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. 12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, 28 Ánd Samuel said unto him, The and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul thee this day, and hath given it to a neighsaid unto him, Blessed be thou of the bour of thine that is better than thou. LORD: I have performed the command- 29 And also the Strength of Israel will ment of the LORD. not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, 14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then that he should repent. this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, 30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? honour me now, I pray thee, before the el 15 And Saul said, They have brought ders of my people, and before Israel, and them from the Amalekites: for the people turn again with me, that I may worship spared the best of the sheep and of the the LORD thy God. oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; 31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. and Saul worshipped the LORD. 16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, 32 ¶ Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither and I will tell thee what the LORD hath tome Agag the king of the Amalekites. And said to me this night. And he said unto Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag him, Say on. said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 17 And Samuel said, When thou wast 33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath little in thine own sight, wast thou not made women childless, so shall thy mother made the head of the tribes of Israel, and be childless among women. And Samuel the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in 18 And the LORD sent thee on a jour- Gilgal. ney, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. 34 T Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. 35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul 19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey until the day of his death: nevertheless Sathe voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon muel mourned for Saul: and the LORD rethe spoil, and didst evil in the sight of pented that he had made Saul king over the LORD? 1srael Samuel anoints David. CHAP. XVI. CHAP. XVI, XVII. The challenge of Goliath. 16 Let our lord now command thy ser AND the LORD said unto Samuel, How vants, which are before thee, to seek out a long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing man who is a cunning player on a harp; I have rejected him from reigning over Is- and it shall come to pass, when the evil rael? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. I have provided me a king among his sons. 17 And Saul said unto his servants, Pro2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if vide me now a man that can play well, Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD and bring him to me. said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I 18 Then answered one of the servants, am come to sacrifice to the LORD. and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jes3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and Ise the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in will shew thee what thou shalt do: and playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I man of war, and prudent in matters, and a name unto thee. comely person, and the LORD is with him. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him and he loved him greatly; and he became his armour-bearer. 6 ¶ And it came to pass when they were 22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, David, I pray thee, stand before me; for Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. he hath found favour in my sight. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look 23 And it came to pass, when the evil not on his countenance, or on the height of spirit from God was upon Saul, that David his stature; because I have refused him: took a harp, and played with his hand : for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and man looketh on the outward appearance, the evil spirit departed from him. but the LORD looketh on the heart. 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. CHAP. XVII. NOW the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belong eth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were 10 Again Jesse made seven of his sons gathered together, and pitched by the valto pass before Samuel. And Samuel said ley of Elah, and set the battle in array unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen against the Philistines. these. 3 And the Philistines stood on a moun11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are tain on the one side, and Israel stood on a bere all thy children? And he said, There mountain on the other side: and there was remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, a valley between them. he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said 4 And there went out a champion out unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we of the camp of the Philistines, named Gowill not sit down till he come hither. liath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits 12 And he sent, and brought him in. and a span. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beau- 5 And he had a helmet of brass upon tiful countenance, and goodly to look to. his head, and he was armed with a coat of And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for mail; and the weight of the coat was five this is he. thousand shekels of brass. 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, 6 And he had greaves of brass upon his and anointed him in the midst of his breth-legs, and a target of brass between his ren and the Spirit of the LORD came upon shoulders. David from that day forward. So Samuel 7 And the staff of his spear was like a rose up, and went to Ramah. weaver's beam; and his spear's head weigh14 But the Spirit of the LORD depart- ed six hundred shekels of iron and one ed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the bearing a shield went before him. LORD troubled him. 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why God are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to 15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from troubleth thee. |