Study Desk

Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take for your brothers a basket of this baked grain and these ten loaves. Hurry and carry them to your brothers among the army.

So David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd. He took the food and went, as Jesse had told him. And he came to the tents as the army was going out dressed for battle, calling out the war cry.

Israel and the Philistines came near each other dressed for battle, army against army.

Then David said to the men standing by him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away Israel's shame? For who is this Philistine who has not gone through the religious act of the Jews? Who is he, that he should make fun of the armies of the living God?"

And the people answered him in the same way, "This is what will be done for the man who kills him."

When David's words were heard, they were told to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. And this Philistine who has not gone through our religious act will be like one of them. For he has made fun of the armies of the living God."

David put on his sword over his heavy battle-clothes and tried to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these, for I am not used to them." And David took them off.

When the Philistine looked and saw David, he thought nothing of him. For he was only a young man, with good color in his skin, and good-looking.

All these people gathered here may know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands."

Then Saul became very angry. This saying did not please him. He said, "They have given David honor for ten thousands, but for me only thousands. Now what more can he have but to be king?"

But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.

Then Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife, if you only work for me with strength of heart and fight the Lord's battles." For Saul thought, "I will not go against him. Let the Philistines go against him."

But at the time when Saul's daughter Merab should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite for a wife.

David and his men went and killed 200 Philistine men. Then David brought their pieces of flesh and gave all of them to the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him his daughter Michal for a wife.

Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, saying, "Do not let the king sin against his servant David. He has not sinned against you. What he has done has been good for you.

He put his life in danger and killed the Philistine. And the Lord helped all Israel with His saving power. You saw it and were glad. Why then will you sin against him who has done no wrong, by killing David for no reason?"

When Saul heard this, he sent other men, and they began saying what was going to happen. So Saul sent men for the third time, and they began saying what was going to happen.

Then Jonathan said to David, "I will do for you whatever you say."

If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David asked me to let him leave to run to his city Bethlehem. It is the time for the whole family to gather there for the gift given on the altar in worship each year.'