Study Desk

As for me, the Lord forbid that I should sin against him by no longer praying for you. Instead, I will teach you what is good and right for you to do.

Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.

He waited seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him to do, but Samuel still had not come to Gilgal. The people began to desert Saul,

the charge was one small coin for sharpening axes and for fixing goads, and two coins for sharpening plows or hoes.)

If they tell us to wait for them to come to us, then we will stay where we are.

But the people said to Saul, "Will Jonathan, who won this great victory for Israel, be put to death? No! We promise by the living Lord that he will not lose even a hair from his head. What he did today was done with God's help." So the people saved Jonathan from being put to death.

So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel, "This is the one—anoint him!"

So give us the order, sir, and we will look for a man who knows how to play the harp. Then when the evil spirit comes on you, the man can play his harp, and you will be all right again."

The Philistines gathered for battle in Socoh, a town in Judah; they camped at a place called Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.

Goliath stood and shouted at the Israelites, "What are you doing there, lined up for battle? I am a Philistine, you slaves of Saul! Choose one of your men to fight me.

Goliath challenged the Israelites every morning and evening for forty days.

The Philistine and the Israelite armies took positions for battle, facing each other.

They told him what would be done for the man who killed Goliath.

Some men heard what David had said, and they told Saul, who sent for him.

He gave his own armor to David for him to wear: a bronze helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armor.

and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy.

He said to David, "What's that stick for? Do you think I'm a dog?" And he called down curses from his god on David.

Jonathan swore eternal friendship with David because of his deep affection for him.

Saul did not like this, and he became very angry. He said, "For David they claim tens of thousands, but only thousands for me. They will be making him king next!"

But when the time came for Merab to be given to David, she was given instead to a man named Adriel from Meholah.