Study Desk

Now therefore, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let us make an offering; but if it be of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out, that I should have no shelter in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth far off from the face of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as one who pursues a partridge in the mountain.

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.

The LORD renders to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not stretch forth my hand against the LORDS anointed.

AND David said in his heart, Now if I should fall some day into the hands of Saul, it would not be good for me, but it is better for me that I should escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of seeking me any more in the territory of Israel; so I shall escape out of his hands.

And David and his men went up and made raids upon the Geshurites and the Gadolites and the Amalekites; for these nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, and they raided Geshur as far as the land of Egypt.

And Achish believed David, saying, He has surely displeased his people Israel; therefore he has become my servant for ever.

AND it came to pass in those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together in the valley for war to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know assuredly that you shall go out with me to the host, you and your men.

And Saul disguised himself and put on other raiment, and he went and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and Saul said to her, Divine for me by the familiar spirit, and bring up for me him whom I shall tell you.

And the woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has removed those who have familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land. Why then are you laying a snare for my life to cause me to be put to death?

And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD lives, there shall no harm come upon you for this thing.

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and she said to Saul, Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.

And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines are making war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more although I have inquired by the prophets and also by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may tell me what I shall do.

And the LORD has done to him, as he spoke by me; for he has rent asunder the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David;

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.

But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and they said to him, Drive this fellow out of the camp, that he may return to his place which you have assigned him; and let him not go with us to the battle, lest he be an adversary to us there; for how could this man reconcile himself to his lord, except with our heads?

Then Achish called David and said to him, As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your coming in and your going out with me in the battle is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to us to this day; nevertheless you are not good in the sight of the lords.

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 inquired of the LORD, saying. Shall I pursue these raiders? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake them soon and deliver the captives.

And they gave him two cakes of figs, and when he had eaten, his spirit revived; for he had not eaten bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights.