Study Desk

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."

David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart become weak because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

Then Jonathan made an agreement with David, because he loved him as himself.

Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had left Saul.

David did well in all that he did, because the Lord was with him.

But David answered, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. He has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, because it would fill him with sorrow.' But it is true. As the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is only a step between me and death."

Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon. You will be missed because your seat will be empty.

Jonathan rose from the table very angry. He did not eat any food on the second day of the new moon. For he was filled with sorrow for David, because his father had brought shame upon him.

David said to Ahimelech, "Do you have a spear or a sword? I did not bring my sword or any spears with me, because I had to hurry to do the king's work."

The king said to the soldiers who stood around him, "Turn and put the religious leaders of the Lord to death. Because they are on David's side. They knew he was running away, and did not tell me." But the servants of the king were not willing to go against the religious leaders of the Lord.

Then David said, "O Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard for sure that Saul is planning to come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me.

He said to him, "Do not be afraid, because my father Saul will not find you. You will be king of Israel, and I will be next to you. My father Saul knows this also."

After this, David felt guilty in his heart because he had cut off a piece of Saul's clothing.

I beg you, forgive the sin of your woman servant. For the Lord will be sure to make my lord a family that will last. Because my lord is fighting the Lord's battles. Sin will not be found in you as long as you live.

Then my lord will have no reason to feel sorry or guilty because of killing without cause or punishing by my lord's own hand. When the Lord does good things for my lord, remember your woman servant."

Abigail came to Nabal and saw that he was having a special supper in his house, like the special supper of a king. Nabal's heart was full of joy, because he was very drunk. So she did not tell him anything until the morning.

This thing you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, all of you must die for sure. Because you did not watch over your lord, the Lord's chosen one. Now see where the king's spear is, and the bottle of water that was beside his head."

Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not hurt you again. Because my life was of great worth in your eyes this day. See, I have played the fool, and have made a big mistake."

At once Saul fell to the ground with his whole body. He was very afraid because of Samuel's words. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.

And David was very troubled because the people talked about killing him with stones. For all the people were very angry in their sorrow for their sons and daughters. But David got his strength from the Lord his God.