Study Desk

And David swore moreover, and said, It is because your father knows that I have found favor in your eyes; therefore he has said. Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved; but truly as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

Then Jonathan said to him. Tomorrow is the new moon; and you shall be missed, because your seat will be empty.

So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did not eat food the second day of the month; for he was grieved for David, because his father had determined evil against him.

And David said to Ahimeleck, Is there not here in your possession a sword or a spear? For I have brought neither my sword nor my javelin with me, because the kings business required haste.

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him. Turn, and slay the priests of God; because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he fled, and did not reveal it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hands and harm the priests of God.

And David said to the men who were with him, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORDS anointed, to stretch forth my hand against him, because he is the anointed of the LORD.

Moreover, turn back, and see that even the skirt of your robe is in my hand; because when I cut off the skirt of your robe I did not kill you; now you should know and see that there is neither evil nor fault in my hand, and I have not sinned against you; yet you hunt me to take my life.

Forgive this trespass of your handmaid; for the LORD will certainly make for my lord a sure house; because my lord is fighting the battles of the LORD, and evil has not been found in you all your days.

So David took the spear and the jug of water from Sauls bedside; and they went away, and no man saw it nor knew it, neither awaked, for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.

This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORDS anointed. And now see where the kings spear is, and the jug of water that was at his bedside.

Then Saul said to David, I have sinned; return, my son David: for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.

Then Saul fell straightway upon his face on the ground, and was exceedingly afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all that day, nor all that night.

Now therefore, listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, because you are going on a journey.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

And David said to him, To whom do you belong? And where do you come from? And the young man said, I am an Egyptian, a servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me because I have been sick for three days,

And David swore to him, and when he had brought him down, behold, they were scattered upon the ground, eating and drinking and rejoicing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Then answered some of Davids men who were evil and wicked, and said, Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any portion of the spoil which we have recovered, save that every man may take his wife and his children.

Then he said to me, Stand over me and slay me; for anguish has seized me because my life is still whole in me.