Study Desk

This is what the Lord of All says. ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel in standing against them on the way, when they came up from Egypt.

Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, leave the Amalekites, or I might destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites left the Amalekites.

"I am sorry that I have made Saul king. For he has turned away from following Me. He has not done what I told him to do." Samuel was much troubled in his heart. He cried out to the Lord all night.

Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites. For the people saved the best of the sheep and cattle to give to the Lord your God. But we have destroyed all the rest."

But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you. For you have turned away from the Word of the Lord. And the Lord has turned away from you being king over Israel."

And the shining greatness of Israel will not lie or change His mind. For He is not a man that He should change His mind."

Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites." Agag was happy when he came to him. Agag said, "For sure the bad feelings of death are past."

The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you be filled with sorrow because of Saul, since I have turned away from him being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem. For I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons."

Ask Jesse to come when you give the gift, and I will show you what you should do. You will choose for Me the one I name to you."

When they had come, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, "For sure he is the Lord's chosen one who is standing before Him."

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at the way he looks on the outside or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. For the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. A man looks at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And Jesse said, "There is yet the youngest one. See, he is taking care of the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send for him. We will not sit down until he comes here."

So he sent for him and brought him in. His youngest son had good color in his skin, beautiful eyes and was good-looking. The Lord said, "Rise up and choose him. For this is the one."

Let our lord now tell your servants who are in front of you to look for a man who is a good player of the harp. When the bad spirit sent from God is upon you, he will play the harp, and you will be well."

Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Let David serve me, for he has found favor in my eyes."

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah. They set up their tents between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim.

Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and set up their tents in the valley of Elah. They came up dressed for battle to fight against the Philistines.

Goliath stood and called out to the army of Israel, saying, "Why have you come out dressed for battle? Am I not the Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.

If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I fight him and kill him, then you must become our servants and work for us."

The Philistine came out and showed himself morning and evening for forty days.