Study Desk

So Jonathan climbed up the hill with his hands and feet, and his helper was right behind him. Jonathan and his helper attacked them. In the first attack, they killed 20 Philistines in an area about one-half acre in size. Jonathan fought the men who attacked from the front. His helper came behind him and killed the men who were only wounded.

Saul said to the army with him, "Count the men. I want to know who left camp." They counted the men. Jonathan and his helper were gone.

Saul gathered his army together and went to the battle. The Philistine soldiers were very confused. They were even fighting each other with their swords.

But Jonathan didn't know about the oath. He didn't hear his father make the soldiers promise not to eat. Jonathan had a stick in his hand, so he dipped the end of the stick into the honeycomb and pulled out some honey. He ate the honey and began to feel much better.

Then Saul said, "Go to the men and tell them that each one must bring his bull and sheep to me. Then the men must kill their bulls and sheep here. Don't sin against the Lord ! Don't eat meat that still has blood in it." That night everyone brought their animals and killed them there.

Saul was brave all his life. He fought hard against the Philistines. Any time Saul saw a man who was strong or brave, he took that man and put him into the group of soldiers who stayed near the king and protected him.

One day Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel. Now listen to his message.

But Samuel answered, "Which pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the Lord than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams.

The one who lives forever, the God of Israel, does not lie and will not change his mind. He is not like a man who is always changing his mind."

Then Samuel left and went to Ramah. And Saul went up to his home in Gibeah.

The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you feel sorry for Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. Fill your horn with oil and go to Bethlehem. I am sending you to Jesse who lives in Bethlehem, because I have chosen one of his sons to be the new king."

Samuel answered, "Yes, I come in peace. I come to make a sacrifice to the Lord . Prepare yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Samuel prepared Jesse and his sons. Then he invited them to come and share the sacrifice.

When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the man who the Lord has chosen."

Then Jesse called his second son, Abinadab. Abinadab walked by Samuel. But Samuel said, "No, this is not the man who the Lord chose."

Jesse showed seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen any of these men."

Jesse sent someone to get his youngest son. This son was a good-looking, healthy young man. He was very handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, "Get up and anoint him. He is the one."

Samuel took the horn with the oil in it, and poured the special oil on Jesse's youngest son in front of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord came on David with great power from that day on. Then Samuel went back home to Ramah.

So Saul said to his servants, "Find someone who plays music well and bring him to me."

Any time the evil spirit from God came on Saul, David would take his harp and play it. The evil spirit would leave Saul and he would begin to feel better.

He had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a coat of armor that was made like the scales on a fish. This armor was made of bronze and weighed about 125 pounds.