Saul acknowledges his fault.

I. SAMUEL.

David dwells in Ziklag.

and David said, It is my voice, my lord, have now found grace in thine eyes, let O king. them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

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

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

6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that 19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto lord the king hear the words of his servant. the kings of Judah unto this day. 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.

20 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.

21 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.

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

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

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

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

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

23 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 Philistines. against the LORD's anointed.

12 And Achish believed David, saying, 24 And behold, as thy life was much He hath made his people Israel utterly to set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life abhor him; therefore he shall be my serbe much set by in the eyes of the LORD, vant for ever. and let him deliver me out of all tribula

tion.

CHAP. XXVIII.

25 Then Saul said to David, Blessed AND it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their be thou, my son David: thou shalt both armies together for warfare, to fight with do great things, and also shalt still prevail. Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know So David went on his way, and Saul re- thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with turned to his place. me to battle, thou and thy men.

CHAP. XXVII.

2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou

AND David said in his heart, I shall shalt know what thy servant can do. An now perish one day by the hand of Achish said to David, Therefore will I Saul there is nothing better for me than make thee keeper of mine head for ever. that I should speedily escape into the land 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair Israel had lamented him, and buried him of me, to seek me any more in any coast in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand. had put away those that had familiar spi2 And David arose, and he passed over rits, and the wizards, out of the land. with the six hundred men that were with 4 And the Philistines gathered themhim unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king selves together, and came and pitched of Gath. in Shunem: and Saulgathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

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

5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, 4 And it was told Saul that David was the LORD answered him not, neither by fled to Gath: and he sought no more again dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. for him. 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, 5 ¶ And David said unto Achish, If I Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spi

A witch raises Samuel.

CHAP. XXIX.

She gives Saul victuals. rit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. of the words of Samuel: and there was no And his servants said to him, Behold, there strength in him; for he had eaten no bread is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at all the day, nor all the night.

En-dor.

21 T And the woman came unto Saul,

8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on and saw that he was sore troubled, and other raiment, and he went, and two men said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid with him, and they came to the woman by hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto life in my hand, and have hearkened unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me thy words which thou spakest unto me. him up whom I shall name unto thee. 22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken 9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he and let me set a morsel of bread before hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, thee; and eat, that thou mayest have and the wizards, out of the land; wherefore strength when thou goest on thy way. then layest thou a snare for my life, to 23 But he refused, and said, I will not cause me to die? eat. But his servants, together with the 10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, woman, compelled him; and he hearkened saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no unto their voice. So he arose from the punishment happen to thee for this thing, earth, and sat upon the bed. 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13 And the king said unto her, Be not

afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascend.

ing out of the earth.

24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they arose up, and went away that night. CHAP. XXIX.

OW

their armies to Aphik: and the Now the Philistines gathered together

Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in

14 And he said unto her, What form is Jezreel. he of? And she said, An old man cometh 2 And the lords of the Philistines passed up; and he is covered with a mantle. And on by hundreds, and by thousands: but Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he David and his men passed on in the rerestooped with his face to the ground, and ward with Achish.

bowed himself.

3 Then said the princes of the Philis15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why tines, What do these Hebrews here? And hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? Achish said unto the princes of the Philisand Saul answered, I am sore distressed; tines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul for the Philistines make war against me, the king of Israel, which hath been with and God is departed from me, and answer- me these days, or these years, and I have eth me no more, neither by prophets, nor found no fault in him since he fell unto me by dreams: therefore I have called thee, unto this day? that thou mayest make known unto me 4 And the princes of the Philistines were what I shall do. wroth with him; and the princes of the 16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is return, that he may go again to his place departed from thee, and is become thine which thou hast appointed him, and let enemy? him not go down with us to battle, lest in 17 And the LORD hath done to him, as the battle he be an adversary to us: for he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent wherewith should he reconcile himself the kingdom out of thine hand, and given unto his master? should it not be with the it to thy neighbour, even to David: heads of these men? 18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice 5 Is not this David, of whom they sang of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the his thousands, and David his ten thousands? LORD done this thing unto thee this day. 6 ¶ Then Achish called David, and said 19 Moreover, the LORD will also deliver unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou Israel with thee into the hand of the Phi- hast been upright, and thy going out and listines and to-morrow shalt thou and thy thy coming in with me in the host is good sons be with me: the LORD also shall deli- in my sight: for I have not found evil in ver the host of Israel into the hand of the thee since the day of thy coming unto me Philistines. unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because

7 Wherefore now return, and go in

The Amalekites spoil Ziklag. I. SAMUEL. David avenges himself on them. peace, that thou displease not the lords of him bread, and he did eat; and they made the Philistines. him drink water;

8 ¶ And David said unto Achish, But| 12 And they gave him a piece of a cake what have I done? and what hast thou of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and found in thy servant, so long as I have been when he had eaten, his spirit came again to with thee unto this day, that I may not go him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk fight against the enemies of my lord the king? any water, three days and three nights.

9 And Achish answered and said to Da- 13 And David said unto him, To whom vid, I know that thou art good in my sight, belongest thou? and whence art thou? And as an angel of God: notwithstanding, the he said, I am a young man of Egypt, serprinces of the Philistines have said, He vant to an Amalekite; and my master left shall not go up with us to the battle. me, because three days agone I fell sick. 10 Wherefore now rise up early in the 14 We made an invasion upon the south morning with thy master's servants that are of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which come with thee: and as soon as ye be up ear-belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of ly in the morning, and have light, depart. Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire. 11 So David and his men rose up early 15 And David said to him, Canst thou to depart in the morning, to return into bring me down to this company? And he the land of the Philistines. And the Phi- said, Swear unto me by God, that thou listines went up to Jezreel. wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into CHAP. XXX. the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company

AND it came to pass, when David and

his men were come to Ziklag on the 16 And when he had brought him third day, that the Amalekites had invaded down, behold, they were spread abroad the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and and burned it with fire; dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

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

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

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

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

4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 19 And there was nothing lacking to 5 And David's two wives were taken them, neither small nor great, neither sons captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. that they had taken to them: David reco6 And David was greatly distressed: for vered all.

the people spake of stoning him, because 20 And David took all the flocks and the the soul of all the people was grieved, herds, which they drave before those other every man for his sons, and for his daugh- cattle, and said, This is David's spoil. ters: But David encouraged himself in the 21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they

LORD his God.

7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, could not follow David, whom they had Ahimelech's son, I pray thee bring me hi-made also to abide at the brook Besor: and ther the ephod. And Abiathar brought they went forth to meet David, and to meet thither the ephod to David. the people that were with him: And when 8 And David inquired at the LORD, say- David came near to the people, he saluted ing, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I them. overtake them? And he answered him, 22 Then answered all the wicked men, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

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

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

and

10 But David pursued, he and four hun- 23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, dred men: for two hundred abode behind, my brethren, with that which the LORD which were so faint that they could not go hath given us, who hath preserved us, over the brook Besor. delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

11 T And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave

24 For who will hearken unto you in

He divides the spoil.

CHAP. I.

Saul and his sons are slain.

this matter? but as his part is that goether, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through down to the battle, so shall his part be that therewith; lest these uncircumcised come tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. and thrust me through, and abuse me. 25 And it was so from that day forward, But his armour-bearer would not: for he that he made it a statute and an ordinance was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a for Israel unto this day. sword, and fell upon it.

26 T And when David came to Zik- 5 And when his armour-bearer saw that lag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold sword, and died with him. a present for you, of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

27 To them which were in Beth-el, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,

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

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

30 And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chor-ashan, and to them which were in Athach.

6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armour-bearer, and all his men, that same day together.

7 ¶ And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

9 And they cut off his head, and stripped 31 And to them which were in Hebron, off his armour, and sent into the land of the and to all the places where David himself Philistines round about, to publish it in the and his men were wont to haunt. house of their idols, and among the people. 10 And they put his armour in the house

NOW

CHAP. XXXI.

TOW the Philistines fought against Is-of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body rael: and the men of Israel fled from to the wall of Beth-shan. before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

11 ¶ And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Phi2 And the Philistines followed hard up-listines had done to Saul, on Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons.

3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies ofhis sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted

4 Then said Saul unto his armour-bear-seven days.

I ¶ The Second Book of SAMUEL, otherwise called, The Second Book of the KINGS.

NOW

CHAP. I.

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

OW it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and Da- 6 And the young man that told him said, vid had abode two days in Ziklag; As I happened by chance upon mount Gil2 It came even to pass on the third day, boa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; that behold, a man came out of the camp and lo, the chariots and horsemen followfrom Saul with his clothes rent, and earth ed hard after him.

upon his head: and so it was, when he came 7 And when he looked behind him, he to David, that he fell to the earth, and did saw me, and called unto me. And I anobeisance. swered, Here am I. 3 And David said unto him, From 8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? whence comest thou? And he said unto And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray

4 And David said unto him, How went thee, upon me, and slay me for anguish the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he is come upon me, because my life is yet answered, That the people are fled from whole in me. the battle, and many of the people also are 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan because I was sure that he could not live his son are dead also. after that he was fallen: and I took the

David laments for Saul.

II. SAMUEL. He is made king of Judah.

crown that was upon his head, and the

CHAP. II.

bracelet that was on his arm, and have AND it came to pass after this, that

brought them hither unto my lord.

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

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

David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Julah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did 13 ¶ And David said unto the young David bring up, every man with his houseman that told him, Whence art thou? And hold: and they dwelt in the cities of Hehe answered, I am the son of a stranger, bron.

an Amalekite.

4 And the men of Judah came, and 14 And David said unto him, How wast there they anointed David king over the thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand house of Judah. And they told David, to destroy the LORD's anointed? saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.

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

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

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

6 And now the LORD shew kindness and 17 And David lamented with this la-truth unto you: and I also will requite you mentation over Saul, and over Jonathan this kindness, because ye have done this his son: thing.

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

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

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

8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, over all Israel. nor fields of offerings: for there the shield 10 Ish-bosheth Saul's son was forty of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield years old when he began to reign over of Saul, as though he had not been anoint- Israel, and reigned two years: but the house of Judah followed David.

ed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from 11 And the time that David was king the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan in Hebron, over the house of Judah, was turned not back, and the sword of Saul seven years and six months.

returned not empty.

12 And Abner the son of Ner, and 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, pleasant in their lives, and in their death went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. they were not divided: they were swifter 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and than eagles, they were stronger than the servants of David went out, and met lions. together by the pool of Gibeon: and they 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over sat down, the one on the one side of the Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with pool, and the other on the other side of other delights; who put on ornaments of the pool. gold upon your apparel.

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

14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

15 Then there arose, and went over by 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother number, twelve of Benjamin, which perJonathan: very pleasant hast thou been tained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, twelve of the servants of David.

passing the love of women.

16 And they caught every one his fel

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the low by the head, and thrust his sword in weapons of war perished! his fellow's side: so they fell down to