David sent to the camp. CHAP. XVII. He accepteth Goliath's challenge. and a target of brass between his shoulders. kindled against David, and he said, Why camest 7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went pride, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou before him. art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner. 31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. 32 ¶ And David said to Saul, Let no man's 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of heart fail because of him; thy servant will go Israel this day; give me a man, that we may and fight with this Philistine. fight together. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words to go against this Philistine to fight with him: of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and great- for thou art but a youth, and he a man of wa ly afraid. from his youth. 12¶ Now David was the son of that Ephrathite 34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and μ and he had eight sons: and the man went bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: anong men for an old man in the days of Saul. 35 And I went out after him and smote him, 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he followed Saul to the battle: and the names of arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab smote him, and slew him. the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest: and the three cklest followed Saul. 15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. 17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched curn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren: 36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. 37 David said morcover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee. 38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. 18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain 39 And David girded his sword upon his arof their thousand, and look how thy brethren mour, and he assayed to go; for he had not fare, and take their pledge. proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Is-go with these, for I have not proved them. Aшì rael, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with David put them off him. the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle, 24 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. 40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on, and drew near unto David; aud the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? and the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel and with a shield: but I come to thee in the is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the arkilleth him, the king will enrich him with great mies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. riches, and will give him his daughter, and make 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into my his father's house free in Israel. hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head 26 And David spake to the men that stood by from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the him, saying, What shall be done to the man that host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the re- the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth: that all proach from Israel? for who is this uncircum-the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. cised Philistine, that he should defy the armies 47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD of the living God? saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is 27 And the people answered him after this the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man 48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine that killeth him. arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, 8 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when that David hasted, and ran toward the army to, he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was meet the Philistine. David killeth Goliath. I. SAMUEL. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. Saul offereth David his daughter 12 ¶ And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. 14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. 15 Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. 17 ¶ And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only 52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's batand shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until tles. For Saul said, Let not my hand be upon him, thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ek- but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. ron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell 18 And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, and unto Ekron. that I should be son-in-law to the king? 19 But it came to pass at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to Da vid, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. 53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. 20 And Michal. Saul's daughter, loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 And Saul said, I will give hini 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 sonin-law, in the one of the twain. 55 11 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. 56 And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is. 22 ¶ And Saul commanded his servants, saying, 57 And as David returned from the slaughter of Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his love thee: now therefore be the king's son-in-law. hand. 23 And Saul's servants spake those words in 58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, the cars of David. And David said, Seemeth it to thou young man? And David answered, I am you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law, seethe son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite. ing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed? CHAP. XVIII. 24 And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David. Saul's envy against David. 2 And Saul took him that day, and would let 25 And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, the king desireth not any dowry, but a 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. 26 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. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe 27 Wherefore David arose and went, he and that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, men; and David brought their foreskins, and and to his girdle. 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. 28 1 And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daugh ter, loved him. 5 1 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. 6 And it came to pass as they came, when David 29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, and Saul became David's enemy continually. that the women came out of all the cities of Is- 30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: rael, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with and it came to pass, after they went forth, that tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. David behaved himself more wisely than all the 7 And the women answered one another as they servants of Saul: so that his name was much played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, set by. and David his ten thousands. 8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have inore but the kingdom? CHAP. XIX. 4 Jonathan's friendship for David. AND Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and in all his servants, that they should kill David. 2 But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul 9AndSauleyed David from that day and forward. my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I 101 And it came to pass on the morrow, that pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself: prophesied in the midst of the house: and David 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father played with his hand, as at other times: and there in the field where thou art, and I will commune was a javelin in Saul's hand. with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. !1 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. 4 T And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the 1 Saul seeketh to kill David. CHAP. XX. Jonathan and David's covenant king sin against his servant, against David; be-my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life? cause he hath not sinned against thee, and be- 2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt cause his works have been to thee-ward very good: not die: behold, my father will do nothing either 5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew great or small, but that he will shew it me: and the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great why should my father hide this thing from me? salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst it is not so. rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against in- 3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy nocent blood, to slay David without a cause? father certainly knoweth that I have found grace 6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jona-in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan than and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he know this, lest he be grieved: But truly as the shall not be slain. LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan a step between me and death. shewed him all those things. And Jonathan 4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever brought David to Saul, and he was in his pre- thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee. sence, as in times past. 5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to8¶ And there was war again: and David went morrow is the new-moon, and I should not fail to out,and fought with the Philistines, and slew them sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may with a great slaughter; and they fled from him. hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon 6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in earnestly asked leave of me, that he might run his hand and David played with his hand. to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly 10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the sacritice there for all the family. 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. 11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, 8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy serto watch him, and to slay him in the morning vant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a and Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, If covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstandthou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thouing, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; shalt be slain. for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father? 12 ¶ So Michal let David down through a win- 9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for dow: and he went, and fled, and escaped. if I knew certainly that evil were determined by 13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in my father to come upon thee, then would not I the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his tell it thee? bolster, and covered it with a cloth. 7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him. 10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell 14 And when Sau! sent messengers to take Da-me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly? vid, she said, Ile is sick. 11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, 15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see and let us go out into the field. And they went David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, out both of them into the field. that I may slay him. 16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with pillow of goats' hair for his bolster. a 12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to-morrow any time, or the third day, and behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; 17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that 13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonahe is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He than; but if it please my father to do thee evil, said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee ? then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, 18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul with thee, as he hath been with my father. had done to him. And he and Samuel went 14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew and dwelt in Naioth. me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: 19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David 15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness is at Naioth in Ramah. from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD 20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: hath cut off the enemies of David every one from and when they saw the company of the prophets the face of the earth. prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed 16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house over them, the Spirit of God was upon the mes-of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it sengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. at the hand of David's enemies. 21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other, 17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again. messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And because he loved him: for he loved him as he Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. 22 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. 23 And he went thither to Naioth in, Ramah and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and ne went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah. : 24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that dayand all that night. Where fore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets ? CHAP. XX. David consulteth with Jonathan. loved his own soul. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, To-morrow is the new-moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty. 19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel. 20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 21 And behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If1 expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no burt; as the LORD liveth. 22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away. 23 And as touching the matter which thou and Saul seeketh to kill Jonathan. I. SAMUEL. David goeth to Gath. I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between 2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, thee and me for ever. The king hath commanded me a business, and 24 So David hid himself in the field: and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing when the new-moon was come, the king sat him of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have ap down to eat meat. 25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other pointed my servants to such and such a place. times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jona-3 Now therefore what is under thy hand? give than arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and me five loaves of bread in my hand, or what David's place was empty. there is present. 26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that 4 And the priest answered David, and said, day: for he thought, Something hath befallen There is no common bread under my hand, but him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean. there is hallowed bread; if the young men have £7 And it came to pass on the morrow, which kept themselves at least from women. was the second day of the month, that David's 5 And David answered the priest, and said unto place was empty and Saul said unto Jonathan him, Of a truth women have been kept from us his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse about these three days, since I came out, and the 10 meat, neither yesterday, nor to-day? vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread 29 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earn-is in a manner common, yea, though it were estly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem: sanctified this day in the vessel. 29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our 6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my bro-there was no bread there but the shew-bread ther he hath commanded me to be there: and that was taken from before the LORD, to put hos now if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me bread in the day when it was taken away. get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. 7 Now a certain man of the servants of Sail Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table was there that day, detained before the LORD; 30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jona- and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefthan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the est of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that 8 T And David said unto Ahimelech, And is Thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own there not here under thy hand spear or sword? confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's for I have neither brought my sword nor my nakedness? weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. 31 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 Jim unto me, for he shall surely die. 32 And Jonathan answerd Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? 33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. 34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the anonth: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame. 35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. 36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. 37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee? 38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. 39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter. 40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. 41 1 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. 42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city. CHAP. XXI. Ahimelech receiveth David. THEN came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ak'melech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art hou alone, and no man with thee? 9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the 12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. 14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? 15 Have I need of mad-men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad-man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? CHAP. XXII. DA Doeg accuseth Ahimelech to Saul. AVID therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. 3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. 4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. 511 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. Doeg killeth the priests. CHAP. XXIII. Jonathan visits David. 6 When Saul heard that David was disco-ing, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And vered, and the men that were with him, (now the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, Philistines, and save Keilah. having his spear in his hand, and all his ser- 3 And David's men said unto him, Behold, we vants were standing about him;) be afraid here in Judah: how much more then 7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood if we come to Keilah against the armies of the about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the Philistines? son of Jesse give every one of you fields and 4 Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. vineyards, and make you all captains of thou-And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go sands, and captains of hundreds; down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines 8 That all of you have conspired against me, into thy hand. and there is none that sheweth me that my son 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away there is none of you that is sorry for me, or shew-their cattle, and smote them with a great slaugh eth unto me that my son hath stirred up my ser-ter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilahi. vant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the sou 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I came down with an ephod in his hand. saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Alime- 7 ¶ And it was told Saul that David was come lech the son of Ahitub. to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered 10 Aud he inquired of the LORD for him, and him into my hand; for he is shut*in, by entering gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of into a town that hath gates and bars. Goliath the Philistine. 8 And Saul called all the people together to war,to 11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's 9 And David knew that Saul secretly prachouse, the priests that were in Nob: and they tised mischief against him; and he said to Abiacame all of them to the king. thar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. 12 And Saul said, fear now, thou son of Ahi-10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy tub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseechi thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, lle will come down. 13 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 inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as 12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deDavid, which is the king's son-in-law, and goeth liver me and my men into the hand of Saul? at thy bidding, and is honourable in thy house? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. 15 Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? 131 Then David and his men, which were about be it far from me. Let not the king impute any six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my and went whithersoever they could go. And it father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, was told Saul that David was escaped fron Keilab and he forbare to go forth. less or more. 16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. 14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wil17 And the king said unto the footmen that derness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of day, but God delivered him not into his hand. the LORD; because their hand also is with Da- 15 And David saw that Saul was come out to vid, and because they knew when he fled, and seek his life: and David was in the wilderness did not shew it to me. But the servants of the of Ziph in a wood. king would not put forth their hand to fall upon 16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to the priests of the LORD. David into the wood, and strengthened his hand 18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and in God. fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite 17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. 19 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. 20 ¶ And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests. 22 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. 23 Abide you with me, fear not: for he tha: seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safe-guard. CHAP. XXIII. David rescueth Keilah. shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto 19 1 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gi- 22 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 subtiiely. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and THEN they told David, saying. Behold, the come ve again to me with the certainty, and Philistines fight against Keilah, and they will go with you and it shall come to pass, it rob the threshing-floors. he be in the land, that I will search him out 2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, say-throughout all the thousands of Judalı. |