Study Desk

From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and spoke to the king of Moab. He said, "Please let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God is going to do for me."

Ahimelech prayed to the Lord for David and gave him food and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and for all of Ahimelech's relatives who were priests at Nob. And they all came to the king.

Saul said, "Why are you and Jesse's son against me? You gave him bread and a sword! You prayed to God for him. David has turned against me and is waiting to attack me even now!"

That was not the first time I prayed to God for David. Don't blame me or any of my relatives. I, your servant, know nothing about what is going on."

Then David told him, "Doeg the Edomite was there at Nob that day. I knew he would surely tell Saul. So I am responsible for the death of all your father's family.

Saul called all his army together for battle, and they prepared to go down to Keilah to attack David and his men.

David stayed in the desert hideouts and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Every day Saul looked for David, but the Lord did not surrender David to him.

Saul answered, "The Lord bless you for helping me.

Saul and his men went to look for David, but David heard about it and went down to a rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard that, he followed David into the Desert of Maon.

So he took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and began looking for David and his men near the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

May the Lord judge between us, and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me! But I am not against you.

Now Samuel died, and all the Israelites met and had a time of sadness for him. Then they buried him at his home in Ramah. David moved to the Desert of Maon.

So he sent ten young men and told them, "Go to Nabal at Carmel, and greet him for me.

Ask your servants, and they will tell you. We come at a happy time, so be kind to my young men. Please give anything you can find for them and for your son David.'"

I have bread and water, and I have meat that I killed for my servants who cut the wool. But I won't give it to men I don't know."

Night and day they protected us. They were like a wall around us while we were with them caring for the sheep.

I have brought a gift to you for the men who follow you.

The Lord will keep all his promises of good things for you. He will make you leader over Israel.

May you be blessed for your wisdom. You have kept me from killing or punishing people today.