Study Desk

So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.

So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.

So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name.

David said to his men, "Each of you strap on your sword!" So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

David had just said, "It's been useless—all my watching over this fellow's property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good.

May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!"

When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until daybreak.

So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David.

So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.

So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep.

As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble."

Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath.

So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.

Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life."

Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said.

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do."