Study Desk

And David rose up early in the morning and left the sheep with the keeper, and took and went as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the camp in the valley which goes up to the battle array, and the army shouted for the battle.

And David said to the men who stood by him, What shall be done for the man who kills this uncircumcised Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?

And Eliab his eldest brother heard him when he spoke to the men; and Eliabs anger was kindled against David, and he said to him, Why have you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your boldness and the evil of your heart; for you have come down to see the battle.

And when the words which David spoke were reported to Saul, he sent for him.

And Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a boy, and he has been a man of war from his youth.

And David girded his sword upon his armor, but he was unwilling to go; for he had not tried them out. So David took them off.

And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORDS, and he will deliver you into our hands.

And Saul threw the javelin; for he said, I will pin David to the wall. But David evaded it twice.

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Nadab, I will give her to you to wife, but you must become a commander-in-chief for me and fight the LORDS battles. For Saul said, Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.

And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Let not the king sin against his servant David; for he has not sinned against you, and his works are sufficient proof of his loyalty to you;

For he put his life at your disposal, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel by his hand; you saw it and rejoiced; and now, why then will you sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Then Jonathan said to David, Whatever you desire, I will do for you.

If your father should miss me, then say to him. David earnestly asked leave of me that he might go to Beth-lehem his city; for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Therefore you shall deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the LORD with you; but if there is folly in me, slay me yourself; why should you bring me to your father?

And Jonathan said, God forbid; for if I knew of a certainty that evil were determined by my father to come upon you, then I would come to you and tell you.

And also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house for ever, when the LORD destroys the enemies of David from the face of the earth;

And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

But if I say thus to the lad, Behold, the arrows are beyond you; then go your way; for the LORD has sent you away.

And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever.