Study Desk

So Saul returned from going after David, and went against the Philistines. So they called that place the Rock of Getting Away.

So he said to his men, "May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord's chosen one."

David stopped his men with these words. He did not let them go against Saul. So Saul stood up and left the cave, and went on his way.

Now, my father, see the piece of your clothing in my hand. I cut off the piece of your clothing but did not kill you. So know and understand that I have no desire to do wrong to you. I have not sinned against you, yet you come wanting to kill me.

So promise to me by the Lord that you will not destroy my children after me. Promise that you will not destroy my name from my father's family."

So David sent ten young men, saying to them, "Go up to Carmel. Visit Nabal and greet him for me.

Ask your young men and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a special day. I ask you to give whatever you have ready to your servants and to your son David.'"

So David's young men turned away and returned to David and told him all this.

David said to his men, "Every man put on his sword!" So every man put on his sword, and David put on his sword also. About 400 men went up behind David, while 200 stayed with their things.

So know this and think about what you should do. For bad plans have been made against our owner and all his family. He is such a sinful man that no one can speak to him."

Now David had said, "It was for nothing that I have watched over all this man has in the desert, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him. He has paid me bad for good.

So now, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, let the Lord keep you from being guilty of blood. Let Him keep you from punishing with your own hand. And let those who hate you and those who want to hurt my lord be like Nabal.

So David received what she had brought him. He said to her, "Go up to your house in peace. See, I have listened to you and have done what you asked."

Abigail came to Nabal and saw that he was having a special supper in his house, like the special supper of a king. Nabal's heart was full of joy, because he was very drunk. So she did not tell him anything until the morning.

But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things. And his heart died within him so that he became like a stone.

So Saul got ready and went down to the desert of Ziph. He had 3,000 chosen men of Israel with him, to look for David in the desert of Ziph.

So David and Abishai came to the people during the night. Saul lay sleeping in the center of the tents, with his spear in the ground at his head. Abner and the people were lying around him.

So David took the spear and the bottle of water from beside Saul's head, and they went away. But no one saw it, or knew it, and no one woke, for they were all sleeping. A deep sleep from the Lord had come upon them.

So do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to look for one little bug, just as one looks for a partridge in the mountains."

Now see, as your life was of great worth in my eyes today, so may my life be of great worth in the eyes of the Lord. May He save me from all trouble."