Study Desk

But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."

Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "Yahweh has not chosen these."

But Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah and arranged themselves for battle to meet the Philistines.

If he is able to fight with me and strike me down, then we will become your slaves; but if I prevail against him and strike him down, then you shall become our slaves and serve us."

But David was the youngest. Now the three oldest had gone after Saul,

but David went back and forth from Saul to shepherd his father's flock at Bethlehem.

But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a word?"

Then Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth."

But David said to Saul, "Your servant was shepherding his father's sheep. And a lion and a bear would come and take a lamb from the flock,

And the Philistine looked and saw David. And he despised him; for he was but a youth and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have reproached.

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and put him to death; but there was no sword in David's hand.

But the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as far as the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay fallen along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and Ekron.

And David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his weapons in his tent.

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying was displeasing in his eyes; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?"

Then Saul hurled the spear for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from his presence twice.

And Saul was afraid of David, for Yahweh was with him but had turned away from Saul.

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; only be a man of valor for me and fight Yahweh's battles." For Saul thought, "My hand shall not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him."

But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life or my father's family in Israel, that I should be the king's son-in-law?"