Study Desk

So he changed his behavior before them; he pretended to be mad when in their presence. He scratched marks on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle run down his beard.

Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not remain in the stronghold; leave, and go into the land of Judah." So David left, and went into the forest of Hereth.

Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, by giving him bread and a sword, and by inquiring of God for him, so that he has risen against me, to lie in wait, as he is doing today?"

Then Ahimelech answered the king, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David? He is the king's son-in-law, and is quick to do your bidding, and is honored in your house.

So David and his men went to Keilah, fought with the Philistines, brought away their livestock, and dealt them a heavy defeat. Thus David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.

He said to him, "Do not be afraid; for the hand of my father Saul shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; my father Saul also knows that this is so."

Now, O king, whenever you wish to come down, do so; and our part will be to surrender him into the king's hand."

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

So Saul stopped pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.

So David scolded his men severely and did not permit them to attack Saul. Then Saul got up and left the cave, and went on his way.

For who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

So David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home; but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

So David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.

So David's young men turned away, and came back and told him all this.

Now therefore know this and consider what you should do; for evil has been decided against our master and against all his house; he is so ill-natured that no one can speak to him."

Now David had said, "Surely it was in vain that I protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him; but he has returned me evil for good.

God do so to David and more also, if by morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him."

My lord, do not take seriously this ill-natured fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent.

Please forgive the trespass of your servant; for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord ; and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live.

For as surely as the Lord the God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there would not have been left to Nabal so much as one male."