I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah
1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
1There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim named Elkanah. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
2And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
2He had two wives. One was named Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.
3Every year this man went up from his town to worship and offer sacrifices to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the LORD's priests there.
4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
4Whenever the day came for Elkanah to offer his sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
5But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, even though the LORD had kept her from having children.
6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
6Her rival kept taunting her cruelly to upset her, because the LORD had kept her from having children.
7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.
7This went on year after year. Every time Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, Peninnah provoked her, until Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.
8Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
8Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why is your heart so sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"
Hannah's Vow at Shiloh
9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
9After they had finished eating and drinking at Shiloh, Hannah got up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside the doorpost of the LORD's temple.
10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
10Deeply troubled in spirit, she prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
11She made a vow, saying, "O LORD of hosts, if you will truly look on the misery of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant but give your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD for his whole life, and no razor will ever touch his head."
Eli Mistakes Her for Drunk
12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
12As she kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.
13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
13Hannah was praying in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.
14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
14Eli said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Get rid of your wine!"
15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
15"No, my lord," Hannah answered. "I am a woman with a heavy heart. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink; I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.
16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
16Do not take your servant for a worthless woman. I have been praying all this time out of my deep trouble and grief."
17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
17Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him."
18And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
18She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went on her way and ate something, and her face was no longer sad.
Samuel Is Born
19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
19Early the next morning they got up, worshiped before the LORD, and went back home to Ramah. Elkanah lay with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.
20Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
20So in due time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."
Hannah Stays Behind
21And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
21When Elkanah and his whole household went up again to offer the yearly sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,
22But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
22Hannah did not go. She told her husband, "I will not go up until the boy is weaned. Then I will bring him to appear before the LORD, and he will stay there for good."
23And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
23Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Do what seems best to you. Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the LORD make his word come true." So the woman stayed home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
She Gives the Child to the LORD
24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
24After she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with three bulls, a bushel of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. The child was still very young.
25And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
25They slaughtered a bull and brought the boy to Eli.
26And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
26She said, "Oh, my lord, as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.
27For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
27I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me what I asked of him.
28Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
28So now I am giving him to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he belongs to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Hannah's Song Begins
1And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
1Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart is glad in the LORD; the LORD has lifted my head high. I can speak boldly against my enemies, because I rejoice in your saving help.
2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.
2No one is holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no rock like our God.
3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
3Stop talking so proudly; do not let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and he weighs every deed.
4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
4The bows of the mighty warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are belted with strength.
5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
5Those who were well fed now hire themselves out for bread, while those who were hungry are hungry no more. The childless woman has given birth to seven, but the mother of many has grown weak.
The LORD Brings Low and Lifts Up
6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
6The LORD brings death and gives life; he sends down to the grave and raises up again.
7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
7The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he lifts up.
8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.
8He raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap, to seat them among princes and give them a throne of honor. For the pillars of the earth belong to the LORD, and he has set the world upon them.
9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
9He will guard the steps of his faithful ones, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness, for no one wins by strength alone.
10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
10The LORD's enemies will be shattered; he will thunder against them from heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and lift high the head of his anointed one."
The Sins of Eli's Sons
11And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
11Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy stayed to serve the LORD under Eli the priest.
12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
12Now Eli's sons were worthless men; they had no regard for the LORD.
13And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
13This was how the priests treated the people: whenever anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come while the meat was still boiling, carrying a three-pronged fork in his hand.
14And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
14He would jab it into the pan, kettle, cauldron, or pot, and whatever the fork brought up, the priest took for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.
15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
15Even before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man making the sacrifice, "Give the priest some meat to roast. He won't take boiled meat from you, only raw."
16And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
16If the man answered, "Let the fat be burned first, and then take as much as you want," the servant would reply, "No, give it to me now. If you don't, I'll take it by force."
17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
17So the sin of these young men was very serious in the LORD's sight, because they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt.
Samuel Grows, and a Little Coat
18But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
18But Samuel served before the LORD, a young boy wearing a linen ephod.
19Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
19Each year his mother made him a little robe and brought it to him when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.
20Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she asked for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go back home.
21And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
21The LORD showed kindness to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
Eli's Failure to Restrain Them
22Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
22Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
23And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.
23He said to them, "Why do you do such things? I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people.
24Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.
24No, my sons. The report I hear spreading among the LORD's people is not good; you are leading them into sin.
25If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
25If one person sins against another, the judge can settle it. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can plead for him?" But they would not listen to their father, because the LORD had already decided to put them to death.
26And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
26And the boy Samuel kept growing, and he was well liked by the LORD and by people alike.
A Man of God Confronts Eli
27And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?
27A man of God came to Eli and said to him, "This is what the LORD says: Did I not clearly reveal myself to your ancestor's family when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh's rule?
28And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
28Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence? Did I not give your ancestor's family all the offerings the Israelites make by fire?
29Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
29Why then do you trample on my sacrifice and my offering, which I commanded for my dwelling place? Why do you honor your sons more than me, fattening yourselves on the best of every offering my people Israel bring?
30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
30"Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: I did say that your family and your ancestor's family would serve before me forever. But now the LORD says: Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be treated as nothing.
The Sentence on Eli's House
31Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father’s house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.
31Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your ancestor's family, so that no one in your house will live to old age.
32And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an old man in thine house for ever.
32You will see trouble in my dwelling place, even while good things are given to Israel, and no one in your family will ever reach old age.
33And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the flower of their age.
33Any of your line whom I do not cut off from my altar will be spared only to wear out your eyes with tears and break your heart, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.
34And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.
34What happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be the sign to you: they will both die on the same day.
35And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
35Then I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do what is in my heart and mind. I will build him a lasting house, and he will serve before my anointed one always.
36And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
36Everyone left in your family will come and bow down to him for a coin of silver and a crust of bread, and will say, 'Please give me a place among the priests so that I can have a piece of bread to eat.'"
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
No Open Vision in Those Days
1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
1The boy Samuel served the LORD under Eli. In those days a word from the LORD was rare; visions were not common.
2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
2One night Eli, whose eyes had grown so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
3The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
Speak, LORD, for Thy Servant Heareth
4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
4Then the LORD called Samuel, and he answered, "Here I am."
5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
5He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." So he went and lay down.
6And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
6The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; you called me." Eli answered, "I didn't call, my son. Go back to bed."
7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
8The LORD called Samuel a third time. He got up, went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.
9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
9So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Word Against Eli's House
10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
10Then the LORD came and stood there and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.
11The LORD said to Samuel, "Look, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it ring.
12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
12On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I have said about his family, from beginning to end.
13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
13I have told him that I will judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about: his sons made themselves contemptible, and he did not stop them.
14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.
14So I have sworn to the house of Eli that the guilt of Eli's family will never be wiped away by sacrifice or offering."
Samuel Tells Eli Everything
15And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
15Samuel lay there until morning, then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.
16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
16But Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son." He answered, "Here I am."
17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
17Eli asked, "What did the LORD say to you? Please don't hide it from me. May God punish you severely if you hide from me anything he told you."
18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
18So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him."
Samuel Established as Prophet
19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
19Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words go unfulfilled.
20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.
20All Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, recognized that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.
21And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
21The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, for there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Defeat, and a Plan to Fetch the Ark
1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
1And Samuel's word went out to all Israel. Now Israel marched out to fight the Philistines and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek.
2And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
2The Philistines lined up for battle against Israel, and when the fighting spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.
3And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
3When the soldiers came back to camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the LORD let the Philistines beat us today? Let's bring the ark of the LORD's covenant here from Shiloh, so that it can go with us and save us from our enemies."
4So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
4So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
A Shout in the Camp
5And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
5When the ark of the LORD's covenant came into the camp, all Israel gave such a loud shout that the ground shook.
6And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
6When the Philistines heard the roar, they asked, "What is all this shouting in the Hebrews' camp?" Then they learned that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.
7And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore.
7The Philistines were afraid. "A god has come into the camp," they said. "Oh no! Nothing like this has ever happened before.
8Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
8Oh no! Who can rescue us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every kind of plague in the wilderness.
9Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
9Be strong, Philistines, and act like men, or you will end up as slaves to the Hebrews the way they were slaves to you. Be men, and fight!"
The Ark Is Taken
10And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
10So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated. Every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was terrible: thirty thousand Israelite foot soldiers fell.
11And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
11The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were killed.
Eli Hears the News
12And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.
12That same day a man from Benjamin ran from the battle line to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head.
13And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.
13When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the roadside, keeping watch, because his heart was trembling for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told the news, the whole town cried out.
14And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily, and told Eli.
14Eli heard the sound of the outcry and asked, "What is all this commotion?" The man hurried over and told Eli.
15Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
15Eli was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were fixed so that he could not see.
16And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son?
16The man said to Eli, "I have just come from the battle; I fled from the battle line today." Eli asked, "What happened, my son?"
17And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
17The messenger answered, "Israel has fled from the Philistines, and the army has suffered a great slaughter. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured."
18And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
18As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his seat beside the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years.
Ichabod, the Glory Departed
19And his daughter in law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
19His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near her time. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and husband were dead, she doubled over and gave birth, for her labor pains came on suddenly.
20And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.
20As she was dying, the women attending her said, "Don't be afraid; you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer or pay any attention.
21And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.
21She named the boy Ichabod, saying, "The glory has left Israel," because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and husband.
22And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.
22She said, "The glory has left Israel, for the ark of God has been captured."
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Dagon Falls Before the Ark
1And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
1After the Philistines captured the ark of God, they carried it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
2They brought the ark of God into the temple of Dagon and set it beside Dagon.
3And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
3When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen face down on the ground before the ark of the LORD. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his place.
4And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
4But when they got up early the following morning, there was Dagon again, fallen face down on the ground before the ark of the LORD. This time his head and both his hands had broken off and lay on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left.
5Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
5That is why, to this day, neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone else who enters Dagon's temple in Ashdod steps on the threshold.
The Hand of the LORD on Ashdod
6But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.
6The LORD's hand came down hard on the people of Ashdod. He brought ruin on them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and the surrounding area.
7And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
7When the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god."
8They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath. And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.
8So they sent for all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, "What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Move the ark of the God of Israel to Gath." So they moved the ark of the God of Israel there.
Gath, Ekron, and a City's Cry
9And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand of the LORD was against the city with a very great destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
9But after they had moved it, the LORD's hand came against that city too, causing great panic. He struck the people of the city, young and old alike, with an outbreak of tumors.
10Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
10So they sent the ark of God on to Ekron. But as the ark of God arrived in Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought the ark of the God of Israel here to kill us and our people!"
11So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
11They sent for all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "Send the ark of the God of Israel away. Let it go back to its own place, so that it won't kill us and our people." For there was deadly panic throughout the whole city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
12And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.
12Those who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city rose up to heaven.
VI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Priests and Diviners Give Advice
1And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
1The ark of the LORD had been in Philistine territory for seven months.
2And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.
2Then the Philistines called for their priests and fortune-tellers and asked, "What should we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place."
3And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
3They answered, "If you send the ark of the God of Israel away, don't send it back empty. Be sure to return a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you."
4Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
4The Philistines asked, "What guilt offering should we send back to him?" They replied, "Five gold tumors and five gold mice, one for each of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague struck all of you and your rulers.
5Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
5Make models of your tumors and of the mice that are ruining the land, and give honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land.
6Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
6Why be stubborn, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh were? After he had done his mighty works among them, didn't they finally let the people go, and they left?
A Test Built Into the Cart
7Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
7So now, build a new cart and take two cows that have calved and have never worn a yoke. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away from them and pen them up at home.
8And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
8Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering in a box beside it. Then send it off and let it go.
9And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.
9Watch it. If it goes up the road toward its own country, to Beth-shemesh, then it is the LORD who has done this great harm to us. But if not, we will know that it was not his hand that struck us; it just happened to us by chance."
The Cows Go Straight
10And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
10So the men did this. They took two cows that had calved, hitched them to the cart, and shut their calves up at home.
11And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
11They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart, together with the box containing the gold mice and the models of their tumors.
12And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.
12The cows went straight up the road toward Beth-shemesh. They kept to the highway, mooing as they went, turning neither to the right nor to the left, and the Philistine rulers followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh.
Bethshemesh Receives the Ark
13And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
13The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley. When they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed at the sight.
14And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
14The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there beside a large rock. The people split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD.
15And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
15The Levites lifted down the ark of the LORD and the box beside it containing the gold objects and set them on the large rock. That day the people of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the LORD.
16And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
16When the five Philistine rulers had seen all this, they returned to Ekron the same day.
The Golden Offerings Counted
17And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
17These are the gold tumors the Philistines sent back as a guilt offering to the LORD: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron.
18And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
18The gold mice matched the number of all the Philistine towns belonging to the five rulers, both the walled cities and the country villages. The large rock of Abel, on which they set the ark of the LORD, stands to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.
Struck at Bethshemesh
19And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
19But God struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, fifty thousand men in all, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with such a heavy blow.
20And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
20The men of Beth-shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? And where should the ark go when it leaves us?"
21And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
21So they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, saying, "The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD. Come down and take it up to your town."
VII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Ark at Kiriath-jearim
1And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
1The men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the LORD up to the house of Abinadab on the hill, and they set apart his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
2And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
2The ark stayed at Kiriath-jearim a long time, twenty years in all, and the whole house of Israel mourned and longed for the LORD.
Israel Repents at Mizpah
3And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
3Then Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths you have among you. Set your hearts on the LORD and serve him alone, and he will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines."
4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
4So the Israelites got rid of their Baals and Ashtoreths and served the LORD alone.
5And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
5Then Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you."
6And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
6So they gathered at Mizpah. They drew water and poured it out before the LORD, and they fasted that day and confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.
Thunder Over the Philistines
7And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
7When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the Philistine rulers marched up against Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
8And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.
8The Israelites said to Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that he will save us from the hand of the Philistines."
9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
9Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it whole as a burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him.
10And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.
10While Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But that day the LORD thundered with a mighty roar against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were beaten before Israel.
11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
11The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah, chased the Philistines, and struck them down all the way to a place below Beth-car.
Ebenezer, the Stone of Help
12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
12Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "This far the LORD has helped us."
13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
13So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israel's territory again. The hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel's life.
14And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.
14The towns the Philistines had taken from Israel, from Ekron to Gath, were given back to Israel, and Israel freed the surrounding land from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.
Samuel's Yearly Circuit
15And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
15Samuel judged Israel for the rest of his life.
16And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
16Every year he traveled a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places.
17And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.
17Then he would return to Ramah, where his home was, and there too he judged Israel. And there he built an altar to the LORD.
VIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Samuel's Sons Take Bribes
1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
2Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
2His firstborn was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah; they served as judges in Beersheba.
3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
3But his sons did not follow his example. They chased after dishonest gain, took bribes, and twisted justice.
Give Us a King
4Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
5They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Now give us a king to judge us, like all the other nations have."
6But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
6Samuel was troubled when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD.
7And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
7And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to what the people are saying to you in everything they ask. It is not you they have rejected; they have rejected me from being their king.
8According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
8Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until now, abandoning me and serving other gods, so they are now doing to you.
9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
9So listen to what they ask. But warn them solemnly, and tell them how the king who will rule over them will behave."
The Manner of the King
10And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
10Samuel repeated all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.
11And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
11He said, "This is how the king who rules over you will behave: He will take your sons and assign them to himself, for his chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run ahead of his chariots.
12And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
12He will make some of them commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties; he will set others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and the gear for his chariots.
13And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
13He will take your daughters to be perfume makers, cooks, and bakers.
14And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
14He will take your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, the best of them, and give them to his officials.
15And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
15He will take a tenth of your grain and of your grapes and give it to his officers and his servants.
16And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
16He will take your male and female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to work for him.
17He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his servants.
18And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
18When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you chose for yourselves, and the LORD will not answer you on that day."
The People Insist
19Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us,
20That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
20so that we can be like all the other nations, with our king to judge us, to lead us out, and to fight our battles."
21And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
21Samuel heard everything the people said, and he repeated it in the hearing of the LORD.
22And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.
22The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to what they ask, and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go back, each of you, to your own town."
IX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Lost Donkeys of Kish
1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
1There was a man of Benjamin named Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite and a man of wealth and standing.
2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
2He had a son named Saul, a fine young man in his prime. There was no one among the people of Israel better-looking than he was, and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else.
3And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.
3Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish had wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you, get going, and look for the donkeys."
4And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.
4Saul went through the hill country of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they went through the land of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he went through the land of Benjamin, but they still did not find them.
A Man of God in the Town
5And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant with him, "Come on, let's go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us."
6And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.
6But the servant said to him, "Look, there is a man of God in this town, a man who is highly respected. Everything he says comes true. Let's go there now; maybe he can tell us which way we should go."
7Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?
7Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? The bread in our bags is gone, and we have no gift to bring the man of God. What do we have?"
8And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
8The servant answered Saul again, "Look, I have a quarter of a shekel of silver here. I will give it to the man of God so he will tell us our way."
9(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
9(In earlier days in Israel, when someone went to ask God a question, he would say, "Come, let's go to the seer," because the one who is now called a prophet used to be called a seer.)
10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.
10Saul said to his servant, "Good idea. Come on, let's go." So they went to the town where the man of God lived.
Directions at the Well
11And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?
11As they were climbing the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?"
12And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:
12The women answered, "Yes, he is just ahead of you. Hurry now, because he came to town today, since the people are holding a sacrifice today at the high place.
13As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
13As soon as you enter the town you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he arrives, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that the invited guests eat. So go on up; you should find him about now."
14And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.
14So they went up to the town, and just as they were entering it, there was Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.
The LORD Points Out Saul
15Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
15Now the day before Saul arrived, the LORD had quietly told Samuel,
16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
16"About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. You are to anoint him as leader over my people Israel, and he will rescue my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked on my people, because their cry has reached me."
17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.
17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I told you about. He is the one who will rule my people."
Saul Meets the Seer
18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.
18Saul walked up to Samuel in the gateway and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is."
19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
19Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer. Go on ahead of me to the high place, because today you will eat with me. In the morning I will send you on your way, and I will tell you everything that is on your heart.
20And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?
20As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, don't worry about them; they have been found. And who is it that all Israel is longing for? Isn't it you and your whole family?"
21And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
21Saul answered, "Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And isn't my family the least important of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? So why are you saying such things to me?"
The Portion Kept Back
22And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the dining hall, and he seated them at the head of the invited guests, about thirty people in all.
23And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
23Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion I gave you, the one I told you to set aside."
24And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
24So the cook picked up the thigh and what was attached to it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Look, here is what was saved for you. Set it before you and eat, for it has been kept for you until this moment, ever since I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
A Word Before Dawn
25And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
25When they came down from the high place into the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house.
26And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
26They got up early, and at about daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." Saul got up, and the two of them, he and Samuel, went outside together.
27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.
27As they were walking down toward the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us" (and he went on ahead), "but you stay here a moment, so I can tell you the word of God."
X
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Anointing and Three Signs
1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
1Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him, saying, "The LORD has anointed you to be leader over his own people, hasn't he?
2When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
2When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, 'The donkeys you went looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and is worried about you. He keeps saying, "What can I do about my son?"'
3Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:
3Then you will go on from there until you come to the great tree of Tabor. There three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
4And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you are to accept from them.
5After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:
5After that you will come to the hill of God, where the Philistine outpost is. As you approach the town there, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres playing ahead of them, and they will be prophesying.
6And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
6Then the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully on you, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into a different person.
7And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
7When these signs happen to you, do whatever the situation calls for, because God is with you.
8And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
8Then go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you there to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do."
Is Saul Also Among the Prophets
9And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
9As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave him a new heart, and all those signs came true that very day.
10And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
10When they arrived at the hill, a group of prophets met him. The Spirit of God came powerfully on him, and he prophesied along with them.
11And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
11When everyone who had known him before saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people asked one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul one of the prophets too?"
12And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?
12A man who lived there replied, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul one of the prophets too?"
13And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.
13When Saul finished prophesying, he went to the high place.
Saul Says Nothing of the Kingdom
14And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.
14Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" "To look for the donkeys," he said. "When we saw they were nowhere to be found, we went to Samuel."
15And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.
15Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."
16And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
16Saul answered his uncle, "He assured us that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him what Samuel had said about the kingship.
Samuel's Charge at Mizpah
17And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
17Samuel called the people together before the LORD at Mizpah,
18And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
18and he said to the people of Israel, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'
19And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.
19But today you have rejected your God, the one who saves you from all your troubles and hardships, and you have said to him, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and your clans."
Saul Chosen by Lot
20And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
20When Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.
21When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
21Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its families, and the family of Matri was chosen, and finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he could not be found.
22Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
22So they asked the LORD again, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD answered, "Look, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
23They ran and brought him out, and when he stood among the people, he was head and shoulders taller than anyone else.
24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
24Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!" And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
The Manner of the Kingdom Written Down
25Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
25Then Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of the kingship. He wrote them in a book and laid it before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each to his own home.
26And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
26Saul also went home to Gibeah, and a band of brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him.
27But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
27But some worthless troublemakers said, "How can this fellow save us?" They looked down on him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept quiet.
XI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Nahash Besieges Jabesh-gilead
1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
1Then Nahash the Ammonite marched up and set up camp against Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you."
2And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
2But Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "I will make a treaty with you on one condition: that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and bring disgrace on all Israel."
3And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
3The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days, so we can send messengers throughout all the territory of Israel. If no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you."
4Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
4When the messengers came to Gibeah, Saul's town, and reported the news to the people, all the people broke down and wept aloud.
Saul Musters Israel
5And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
5Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen, and he asked, "What is wrong with the people? Why are they crying?" So they told him what the men of Jabesh had said.
6And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
6When Saul heard this news, the Spirit of God came powerfully on him, and he burned with anger.
7And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
7He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout all the territory of Israel with this message: "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not come out and follow Saul and Samuel." Then the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one.
8And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
8When Saul counted them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
The Ammonites Routed
9And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
9They told the messengers who had come, "Say this to the men of Jabesh-gilead: 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.'" When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were overjoyed.
10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
10So the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you think best."
11And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
11The next day Saul divided his men into three groups. During the last watch of the night they broke into the enemy camp and cut down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.
The Kingdom Renewed at Gilgal
12And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
12Then the people said to Samuel, "Who was it that said, 'Should Saul rule over us?' Hand those men over, and we will put them to death."
13And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
13But Saul said, "No one is going to be put to death today, because today the LORD has brought rescue to Israel."
14Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
14Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let's go to Gilgal and confirm the kingship there."
15And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
15So all the people went to Gilgal, and there, before the LORD, they made Saul king. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel celebrated with great joy.
XII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Samuel Clears His Own Name
1And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.
1Samuel said to all Israel, "Look, I have listened to everything you said to me, and I have set a king over you.
2And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
2Now you have a king to lead you. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here among you. I have led you from my youth until this day.
3Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
3Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and of his anointed king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I mistreated? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to make me look the other way? Tell me, and I will make it right."
4And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.
4They replied, "You have not cheated us or mistreated us, and you have not taken anything from anyone's hand."
5And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
5Samuel said to them, "The LORD is a witness against you, and his anointed is a witness today, that you have found nothing in my hand." And they said, "He is witness."
A Recital of the LORD's Deeds
6And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
6Then Samuel said to the people, "It was the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors up out of the land of Egypt.
7Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
7Now stand here, so I can lay out before you, in the presence of the LORD, all the righteous things the LORD has done for you and for your ancestors.
8When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
8After Jacob went into Egypt, your ancestors cried out to the LORD, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
9And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
9But they forgot the LORD their God, so he handed them over to Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab, who all fought against them.
10And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
10Then they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned, because we have abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.'
11And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.
11So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and he rescued you from the hand of your enemies all around you, and you lived in safety.
The King You Asked For
12And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
12But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us,' even though the LORD your God was your king.
13Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
13So now, here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for. See, the LORD has set a king over you.
14If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
14If you fear the LORD, serve him, obey his voice, and do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and the king who rules over you will keep following the LORD your God.
15But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
15But if you do not obey the voice of the LORD and you rebel against his commands, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your ancestors.
Thunder in the Wheat Harvest
16Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.
16Now stand still and watch this great thing the LORD is about to do right before your eyes.
17Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.
17Isn't it the wheat harvest right now? I will call on the LORD, and he will send thunder and rain. Then you will understand and see how great an evil you did in the sight of the LORD when you asked for a king."
18So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
18So Samuel called on the LORD, and that same day the LORD sent thunder and rain. And all the people stood in great fear of the LORD and of Samuel.
19And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
19All the people said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we will not die. For on top of all our other sins we have added this evil of asking for a king."
Samuel's Final Charge
20And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
20Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from following the LORD. Serve the LORD with all your heart.
21And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
21Do not turn aside to follow empty things that cannot help you or rescue you, because they are worthless.
22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
22For the sake of his great name, the LORD will not abandon his people, because it has pleased the LORD to make you his own people.
23Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
23As for me, far be it from me to sin against the LORD by no longer praying for you. I will keep teaching you the way that is good and right.
24Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
24Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Think about the great things he has done for you.
25But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
25But if you keep on doing evil, you will be swept away, both you and your king."
XIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jonathan Strikes the Philistine Garrison
1Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
1Saul had reigned one year, and when he had reigned two years over Israel,
2Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
2Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand stayed with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home to their tents.
3And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
3Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"
4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.
4All Israel heard the report that Saul had struck the Philistine outpost and that Israel had now become hateful to the Philistines. So the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.
Israel Hides from the Philistine Army
5And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
5The Philistines gathered to fight Israel with thirty thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They came up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
6When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
6When the men of Israel saw how tight a spot they were in, for the people were hard pressed, they hid themselves in caves, in thickets, among the rocks, in holes, and in pits.
7And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
7Some of the Hebrews even crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the troops who followed him were trembling with fear.
Saul Offers the Sacrifice Himself
8And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
8He waited seven days, the time Samuel had set, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the men began to scatter from him.
9And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
9So Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings." And he offered up the burnt offering himself.
10And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
10Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to meet and greet him.
Samuel Confronts Saul
11And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
11Samuel asked, "What have you done?" Saul answered, "I saw that the men were scattering from me, that you had not come within the days you set, and that the Philistines were gathering at Michmash.
12Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
12So I thought, 'The Philistines will come down on me at Gilgal now, and I have not yet asked for the LORD's favor.' So I forced myself to go ahead and offer the burnt offering."
13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
13Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly. You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. If you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
14But now your kingdom will not last. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has appointed him leader over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."
Six Hundred Men and Three Raiding Parties
15And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
15Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul counted the men who were still with him, about six hundred in all.
16And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
16Saul, his son Jonathan, and the men with them stayed at Gibeah in Benjamin, while the Philistines camped at Michmash.
17And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
17Raiding parties went out from the Philistine camp in three groups. One group headed toward Ophrah, in the land of Shual;
18And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
18another group headed toward Beth-horon; and another group headed toward the border that overlooks the valley of Zeboim, toward the wilderness.
No Blacksmith in Israel
19Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
19Now there was not a single blacksmith to be found in all the land of Israel, because the Philistines had said, "Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears for themselves."
20But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
20So all the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines to get their plow blades, picks, axes, and hoes sharpened.
21Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
21They did have a file for the picks, the plow blades, the pitchforks, and the axes, and for sharpening the ox goads.
22So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
22So on the day of battle, not one of the soldiers with Saul and Jonathan had a sword or a spear in his hand; only Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
23And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
23Meanwhile a Philistine outpost had moved out to the pass at Michmash.
XIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jonathan Plans a Secret Raid
1Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
1One day Jonathan, Saul's son, said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;
2Saul was staying at the far edge of Gibeah, under a pomegranate tree at Migron, and about six hundred men were with him.
3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD’s priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
3With him was Ahijah, wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh. And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.
4And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.
4In the pass Jonathan meant to cross to reach the Philistine outpost, there was a sharp cliff on one side and a sharp cliff on the other. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.
5The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
5One cliff stood to the north, facing Michmash, and the other to the south, facing Gibeah.
A Sign at the Cliffs
6And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
6Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, "Come on, let's cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Maybe the LORD will act for us, because nothing stops the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."
7And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
7His armor-bearer answered him, "Do whatever is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you, whatever you decide."
8Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.
8Then Jonathan said, "All right, we will cross over to these men and let them see us.
9If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
9If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come to you,' then we will stay where we are and not go up to them.
10But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand: and this shall be a sign unto us.
10But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, because the LORD has handed them over to us. That will be our sign."
Twenty Men and a Trembling
11And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
11So the two of them let the Philistine outpost see them, and the Philistines said, "Look, the Hebrews are crawling out of the holes where they have been hiding."
12And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.
12The men of the outpost called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, "Come up to us, and we will show you a thing or two." Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Climb up behind me, because the LORD has handed them over to Israel."
13And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.
13Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer came behind him, killing them.
14And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow.
14In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about twenty men, in an area about the size of half an acre, the ground a pair of oxen could plow.
15And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
15Panic spread through the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The outpost and the raiding parties trembled too, and the earth shook. It was a very great panic.
Saul Sees the Camp Melting Away
16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.
16Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin looked out, and there was the crowd melting away, going in every direction and striking one another down.
17Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there.
17Then Saul said to the men with him, "Count everyone and see who has left us." When they counted, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were missing.
18And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.
18Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." At that time the ark of God was with the people of Israel.
19And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
19While Saul was still talking to the priest, the uproar in the Philistine camp kept growing louder and louder, and Saul said to the priest, "Hold back your hand."
20And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
20Then Saul and all the men with him gathered together and went into the battle, and there they found every Philistine's sword turned against his fellow soldier, in total confusion.
The LORD Saved Israel That Day
21Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
21The Hebrews who had earlier gone over to the Philistines and had come up with them into the camp from the surrounding countryside now switched sides and joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22Likewise all the men of Israel which had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.
22Likewise, all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running, and they too chased hard after them in the battle.
23So the LORD saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over unto Bethaven.
23So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the fighting moved on past Beth Aven.
Saul's Oath and the Honey
24And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
24The men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had bound the people with an oath, saying, "Cursed be anyone who eats any food before evening, before I have taken revenge on my enemies." So none of the people tasted any food.
25And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground.
25The whole army came into a forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath.
26When the people entered the forest, there was the honey dripping, but no one put a hand to his mouth, because the people were afraid of the oath.
27But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
27But Jonathan had not heard his father bind the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
Jonathan Judges His Father's Vow
28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
28Then one of the men spoke up and said, "Your father strictly bound the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who eats food today.'" And the people were faint with hunger.
29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
29Jonathan said, "My father has brought trouble on the land. Look how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.
30How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to day of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?
30How much better it would have been if the people had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Wouldn't the slaughter of the Philistines have been far greater?"
Eating with the Blood
31And they smote the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the people were very faint.
31That day they struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, and the people were exhausted.
32And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
32Then the people pounced on the plunder. They took sheep, oxen, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.
33Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
33Someone told Saul, "Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood in it." He said, "You have broken faith. Roll a large stone over to me right now."
34And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, Bring me hither every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and sin not against the LORD in eating with the blood. And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there.
34Then Saul said, "Spread out among the people and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your ox or your sheep, slaughter it here, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood in it.'" So that night everyone brought his ox with him and slaughtered it there.
35And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD.
35And Saul built an altar to the LORD. It was the first altar he had built to the LORD.
God Gives No Answer
36And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God.
36Saul said, "Let's go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until dawn, and not leave one of them alive." They said, "Do whatever seems best to you." But the priest said, "Let's come before God here first."
37And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.
37So Saul asked God, "Should I go down after the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?" But God gave him no answer that day.
38And Saul said, Draw ye near hither, all the chief of the people: and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day.
38Then Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people. Find out how this sin was committed today.
39For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.
39As surely as the LORD lives, the one who saves Israel, even if the guilt lies with my son Jonathan, he will certainly die." But not one of the people answered him.
The Lot Falls on Jonathan
40Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee.
40Then he said to all Israel, "You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other." The people said to Saul, "Do whatever seems best to you."
41Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
41So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Give a true answer." The lot fell on Saul and Jonathan, and the people went free.
42And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.
42Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan." And Jonathan was taken.
43Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in mine hand, and, lo, I must die.
43Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff in my hand. And now I must die."
44And Saul answered, God do so and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.
44Saul answered, "May God do so to me and even more, Jonathan, if you do not die."
45And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
45But the people said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die, the one who won this great victory for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, because he worked with God today." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.
Saul's Wars
46Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.
46Then Saul stopped chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went back to their own territory.
47So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
47So Saul took hold of the kingship over Israel and fought against all his enemies on every side: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he punished them.
48And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
48He gathered an army, defeated the Amalekites, and rescued Israel from the hands of those who had been raiding them.
Saul's Family and Commanders
49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
49Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.
50And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
50Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of his army was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
51And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
51Kish was Saul's father, and Ner, Abner's father, was the son of Abiel.
52And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.
52There was fierce war with the Philistines all through Saul's life, and whenever Saul saw a strong or brave man, he took him into his service.
XV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Command Against Amalek
1Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.
1Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people, over Israel. So now listen to what the LORD says.
2Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
2This is what the LORD of hosts says: 'I have not forgotten what Amalek did to Israel, how they ambushed them on the road when they came up out of Egypt.
3Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
3Now go and attack Amalek. Completely destroy everything they have, and spare no one. Kill men and women, children and babies, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"
Saul Spares Agag and the Best Livestock
4And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
4So Saul called the people together and counted them at Telaim: two hundred thousand foot soldiers, plus ten thousand men from Judah.
5And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
5Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.
6And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
6Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, leave, move away from the Amalekites, or I will destroy you along with them, for you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
7And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
7Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which faces Egypt.
8And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
8He captured Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive, and completely destroyed all the people with the sword.
9But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
9But Saul and the people spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fattened calves, and the lambs, and everything that was good. They were not willing to destroy these. But everything that was worthless and weak they destroyed completely.
The LORD Regrets Making Saul King
10Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
10Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:
11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
11"I am sorry that I made Saul king, because he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my commands." Samuel was deeply troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all night.
12And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
12Early in the morning Samuel got up to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul went to Carmel, and there he set up a marker for himself. Then he turned and went on down to Gilgal."
The Bleating of the Sheep
13And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
13When Samuel reached Saul, Saul said to him, "May the LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's command."
14And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
14But Samuel said, "Then what is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of oxen that I hear?"
15And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
15Saul said, "They brought them from the Amalekites. The people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but the rest we destroyed completely."
16Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
16Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." Saul said to him, "Go ahead."
Saul Defends Himself
17And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
17Samuel said, "Even though you were small in your own eyes, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.
18And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
18The LORD sent you on a mission and said, 'Go and completely destroy those sinners, the Amalekites, and fight them until they are wiped out.'
19Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
19Why then did you not obey the LORD's voice? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do what is evil in the LORD's sight?"
20And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
20Saul said to Samuel, "But I did obey the LORD's voice. I went on the mission the LORD sent me on. I brought back Agag, the king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites.
21But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
21The people took some of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of what was set apart for destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
22Samuel said, "Does the LORD take as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the LORD's voice? Listen: to obey is better than sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
23Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as wickedness and idol worship. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Saul Admits He Feared the People
24And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
24Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I have broken the LORD's command and your instructions, because I was afraid of the people and gave in to them.
25Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
25Now please forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I can worship the LORD."
26And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
26But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel."
The Torn Robe
27And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
27As Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe, and it tore.
28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
28Samuel said to him, "Today the LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you and given it to one of your neighbors, someone better than you.
29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
29And the Strength of Israel does not lie or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind."
30Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
30Then Saul said, "I have sinned. But please honor me now in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me, so that I can worship the LORD your God."
31So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
31So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
Samuel Kills Agag and Leaves Saul
32Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
32Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag, king of the Amalekites, here to me." Agag came to him cheerfully, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death has passed."
33And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
33But Samuel said, "As your sword has left women without children, so your mother will be left without a child among women." And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.
34Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
34Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.
35And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
35Samuel never went to see Saul again for the rest of his life, yet Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.
XVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Samuel Sent to Bethlehem
1And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
1The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul, when I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
2Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." The LORD said, "Take a young cow with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I point out to you."
4And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
4Samuel did what the LORD said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came trembling to meet him and asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
5He said, "In peace. I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Make yourselves holy and come with me to the sacrifice." He made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice.
Seven Sons Pass By
6And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
6When they arrived, he looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is standing here before him."
7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have turned him down. The LORD does not see the way people see. People look at the outside, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him walk past Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9Then Jesse had Shammah walk past. And Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."
10Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
10Jesse had seven of his sons walk past Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these."
David Anointed
11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
11Then Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" He answered, "There is still the youngest, but he is out watching the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send for him and bring him here. We will not sit down until he arrives."
12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
12So Jesse sent for him and had him brought in. He had a ruddy complexion and a lovely face, and he was handsome to look at. The LORD said, "Get up and anoint him. This is the one."
13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
13Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in front of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David. Then Samuel got up and went back to Ramah.
A Harp Player Sought for Saul
14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
14But the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and a evil spirit sent from the LORD tormented him.
15And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
15Saul's servants said to him, "Look, a evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
16Let our lord command your servants here to look for a man who plays the harp skillfully. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, he can play, and you will feel better."
17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
17Saul said to his servants, "Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
18One of the servants spoke up. "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who plays skillfully. He is a strong, brave man and a soldier, wise in what he says and good-looking, and the LORD is with him."
David Enters Saul's Service
19Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, "Send me your son David, the one who is with the sheep."
20And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
20Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them to Saul with his son David.
21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
21David came to Saul and stood before him, and Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.
22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
22Then Saul sent word to Jesse: "Please let David stay in my service, because I am pleased with him."
23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
23Whenever the evil spirit from God came on Saul, David would take the harp and play it. Then Saul would feel relief and be better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
XVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Two Armies in the Valley of Elah
1Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.
1Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They assembled at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah, and camped between Sochoh and Azekah, at Ephes-dammim.
2And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
2Saul and the men of Israel gathered too. They camped by the valley of Elah and lined up for battle against the Philistines.
3And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.
3The Philistines stood on a hill on one side, and Israel stood on a hill on the other side, with the valley between them.
Goliath's Challenge
4And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
4Then a champion came out of the Philistine camp. His name was Goliath, from Gath, and he was six cubits and a span tall.
5And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass.
5He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of armor that weighed five thousand shekels of bronze.
6And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders.
6He had bronze guards on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders.
7And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.
7The shaft of his spear was as thick as a weaver's beam, and its iron head weighed six hundred shekels. A man carrying a shield walked ahead of him.
8And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
8He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out and lined up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not Saul's servants? Pick a man for yourselves and let him come down to me.
9If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.
9If he can fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I beat him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us."
10And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.
10The Philistine said, "Today I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man, and let the two of us fight."
11When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.
11When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were shaken and very afraid.
Jesse Sends David to the Camp
12Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
12Now David was the son of that Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah whose name was Jesse. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul's day he was already an old man, advanced in years.
13And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
13Jesse's three oldest sons had gone off to follow Saul to the battle. The names of the three who went were Eliab the firstborn, Abinadab the second, and Shammah the third.
14And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
14David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,
15But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
15but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
16And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
16Morning and evening, for forty days, the Philistine came forward and took his stand.
17And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.
17Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers, and hurry to the camp to your brothers.
18And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
18And take these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit of a thousand. See how your brothers are doing, and bring back some token from them."
19Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
19Saul, David's brothers, and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah, fighting the Philistines.
David Hears the Defiance
20And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
20David got up early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, took the food, and set out as Jesse had told him. He reached the camp just as the army was marching out to its battle line, shouting the war cry.
21For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
21Israel and the Philistines had drawn up their lines, army facing army.
22And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
22David left his supplies with the keeper of the baggage, ran to the battle line, and went and greeted his brothers.
23And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
23While he was talking with them, the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, came up out of the Philistine ranks and shouted the same words as before, and David heard him.
24And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
24When the men of Israel saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.
25And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.
25The men of Israel were saying, "Have you seen this man who keeps coming up? He comes up to defy Israel. The king will make the man who kills him very rich, give him his daughter, and free his father's family from taxes in Israel."
26And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
26David said to the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes this disgrace away from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
27And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
27The people gave him the same answer: "That is what will be done for the man who kills him."
Eliab's Anger
28And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
28When his oldest brother Eliab heard him talking with the men, he burned with anger at David and said, "Why did you come down here? And who did you leave those few sheep with in the wilderness? I know how proud you are and how wicked your heart is. You came down just to watch the battle."
29And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
29David said, "What have I done now? Can't I even ask a question?"
30And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
30He turned away from him to someone else and asked the same thing, and the people gave him the same answer as before.
31And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
31What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
David Speaks to Saul
32And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
32David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart because of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him."
33And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
33Saul said to David, "You cannot go and fight this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man since he was young."
34And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
34David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,
35And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
35I went after it, struck it, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. And when it turned on me, I grabbed it by its mane, struck it, and killed it.
36Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
36Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will end up like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God."
37David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
37David went on, "The LORD, who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and may the LORD be with you."
Five Smooth Stones
38And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
38Then Saul dressed David in his own armor. He put a bronze helmet on his head and fitted him with a coat of armor.
39And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
39David strapped Saul's sword on over the armor and tried to walk, because he had never tested it. Then David said to Saul, "I can't go in these. I've never tested them." So David took them off.
40And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
40He took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag. With his sling in his hand, he walked toward the Philistine.
Words Before the Fight
41And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
41The Philistine came on, moving closer to David, with the man carrying his shield walking ahead of him.
42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
42When the Philistine looked and saw David, he sneered at him, because David was only a boy, ruddy and handsome.
43And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
43The Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
44The Philistine said to David, "Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the wild animals."
45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
45Then David said to the Philistine, "You come at me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come at you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
46Today the LORD will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head, and today I will give the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, so that the whole earth will know there is a God in Israel.
47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.
47And everyone gathered here will know that the LORD does not save by sword and spear. The battle belongs to the LORD, and he will hand you over to us."
The Stone and the Sword
48And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
48As the Philistine moved in to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
49And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
49David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it. It struck the Philistine on the forehead and sank in, and he fell face down on the ground.
50So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
50So David beat the Philistine with a sling and a stone. He struck the Philistine down and killed him, without a sword in his hand.
51Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
51Then David ran and stood over the Philistine. He took the Philistine's sword, pulled it from its sheath, killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they ran.
The Philistines Flee
52And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
52The men of Israel and Judah rose up with a shout and chased the Philistines as far as the valley and the gates of Ekron. The Philistine dead lay strewn along the road to Shaaraim, all the way to Gath and Ekron.
53And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
53When the Israelites came back from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.
54And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
54David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, but he kept the Philistine's weapons in his own tent.
Whose Son Is This Youth
55And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
55When Saul had watched David go out against the Philistine, he had asked Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is that boy?" Abner replied, "As surely as you live, O king, I don't know."
56And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
56The king said, "Find out whose son the young man is."
57And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
57So when David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the Philistine's head still in his hand.
58And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
58Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem."
XVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jonathan's Covenant with David
1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
1When David had finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan's heart was bound to David's heart, and Jonathan loved him as he loved himself.
2And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
2From that day Saul kept David with him and would not let him go home to his father's house anymore.
3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.
4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
4Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt.
5And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
5David went out wherever Saul sent him and did well, so Saul put him in charge of the fighting men. This pleased all the people, and Saul's officials too.
The Women's Song
6And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
6As the men were coming home after David had killed the Philistine, women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with joy, with tambourines and other instruments.
7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
7As they danced, the women sang back and forth: "Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."
8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
8Saul was furious. The song upset him, and he said, "They have credited David with tens of thousands, and me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"
9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
9From that day on, Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
Saul Throws His Spear
10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.
10The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved inside the house while David played the harp, as he did every day. Saul had a spear in his hand,
11And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
11and he hurled it, thinking, "I'll pin David to the wall." But David dodged him twice.
12And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.
12Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David and had left Saul.
All Israel Loves David
13Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
13So Saul sent him away from his presence and made him a commander over a thousand men, and David led the troops out to battle and back.
14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
14David did well in everything he undertook, because the LORD was with him.
15Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.
15When Saul saw how well he was doing, he was afraid of him.
16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
16But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them out to battle and back.
Merab Promised and Withheld
17And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.
17Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife. Only be brave for me and fight the LORD's battles." For Saul was thinking, "I won't lay a hand on him. Let the Philistines do it."
18And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?
18David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my family or my father's clan in Israel, that I should become the king's son-in-law?"
19But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.
19But when the time came for Saul's daughter Merab to be given to David, she was given instead to Adriel of Meholah as a wife.
Michal Offered as a Trap
20And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.
20Now Saul's daughter Michal loved David. When Saul was told, he was pleased.
21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.
21Saul thought, "I will give her to him so that she can be a trap for him, and the Philistines can get their hands on him." So Saul said to David, "Today you have a second chance to become my son-in-law."
22And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law.
22Then Saul ordered his officials, "Speak to David privately and say, 'Look, the king is pleased with you, and all his officials love you. So become the king's son-in-law now.'"
23And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
23Saul's officials repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small thing to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor man and of no importance."
24And the servants of Saul told him, saying, On this manner spake David.
24Saul's officials told him, "This is what David said."
25And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
25Saul said, "Tell David this: 'The king wants no bride price except a hundred Philistine foreskins, as revenge on the king's enemies.'" But Saul's plan was to have David fall at the hands of the Philistines.
David Marries Michal
26And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired.
26When his officials told David these words, David was glad to become the king's son-in-law. Before the time was up,
27Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.
27David set out with his men and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and counted out the full number before the king so that he could become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.
28And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.
28When Saul saw and realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved him,
29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.
29Saul was even more afraid of David, and he stayed David's enemy for the rest of his life.
30Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.
30The Philistine commanders kept coming out to fight, and every time they did, David succeeded more than all of Saul's other officers, so his name became famous.
XIX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Jonathan Speaks for David
1And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
1Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials to kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, was very fond of David,
2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
2so Jonathan warned David, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Please be careful tomorrow morning. Go to a secret place and stay hidden.
3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
3I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are hiding, and I will talk with him about you. Whatever I find out, I will tell you."
4And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
4Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him, "The king should not sin against his servant David. He has not sinned against you; in fact, what he has done has been a great help to you.
5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
5He risked his life when he killed the Philistine, and the LORD won a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and were glad. So why would you sin against innocent blood and kill David for no reason?"
6And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
6Saul listened to Jonathan and swore, "As surely as the LORD lives, he will not be put to death."
7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
7Jonathan called David and told him everything. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
The Spear in the Wall
8And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
8War broke out again, and David went out and fought the Philistines. He struck them down with a great slaughter, and they ran from him.
9And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.
9Then a harmful spirit from the LORD came on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, while David was playing the harp.
10And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
10Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but David slipped away from him, and the spear stuck in the wall. That night David ran and got away.
Michal Lowers David From a Window
11Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
11Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and kill him in the morning. But David's wife Michal warned him, "If you don't get away tonight, tomorrow you will be killed."
12So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
12So Michal let David down through a window, and he ran off and escaped.
13And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
13Then Michal took a household idol, laid it in the bed, put a pillow of goat hair at its head, and covered it with a blanket.
14And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
14When Saul sent men to arrest David, she said, "He is sick."
15And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
15Saul sent the men back to see David for themselves, saying, "Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him."
16And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.
16But when the men came in, there was the idol in the bed, with the goat-hair pillow at its head.
17And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
17Saul said to Michal, "Why did you trick me like this and let my enemy get away?" Michal answered Saul, "He told me, 'Let me go, or I will kill you.'"
Saul Among the Prophets at Naioth
18So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
18So David ran away and escaped. He went to Samuel at Ramah and told him everything Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.
19And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
19Saul was told, "David is at Naioth in Ramah."
20And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
20Saul sent men to arrest David. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul's men, and they began prophesying too.
21And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
21When Saul heard about it, he sent other men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they prophesied as well.
22Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
22Finally Saul went to Ramah himself. He came to the great well at Secu and asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "They are at Naioth in Ramah."
23And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
23So he went on toward Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came on him too. He walked along prophesying until he reached Naioth in Ramah.
24And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?
24He even stripped off his clothes and prophesied in front of Samuel like the others, and he lay there naked all that day and all that night. That is why people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
XX
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
What Have I Done
1And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
1Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and went to Jonathan. He said, "What have I done? What wrong have I committed? How have I sinned against your father, that he wants to take my life?"
2And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
2Jonathan said to him, "Never! You are not going to die. My father does nothing, great or small, without telling me about it. Why would my father hide this from me? It isn't so."
3And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
3But David swore, "Your father knows very well that you think highly of me, and he has said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this, or he will be upset.' But as surely as the LORD lives and as surely as you live, there is only a step between me and death."
4Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
4Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you want me to do, I will do it for you."
A Test at the New Moon Feast
5And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
5David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon festival, and I am expected to sit and eat with the king. But let me go and hide in the field until the evening of the third day.
6If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
6If your father misses me at all, say, 'David begged me for permission to hurry home to Bethlehem, his town, because his whole family is holding its yearly sacrifice there.'
7If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
7If he says, 'Fine,' then your servant is safe. But if he flies into a rage, you can be sure he has made up his mind to harm me.
8Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
8So show kindness to your servant, because you have brought your servant into a covenant with you before the LORD. But if I am guilty of anything, kill me yourself. Why hand me over to your father?"
9And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
9Jonathan said, "Never! If I knew for certain that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?"
10Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
10David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me? What if your father answers you harshly?"
11And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
11Jonathan said to David, "Come, let's go out to the field." So the two of them went out to the field.
A Covenant for Jonathan's House
12And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
12Then Jonathan said to David, "By the LORD, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow, or the day after. If he is well disposed toward David and I do not send word to let you know,
13The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
13may the LORD punish Jonathan severely. But if my father intends to harm you, I will tell you and send you away so that you can go in safety. May the LORD be with you as he has been with my father.
14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:
14While I am still alive, show me the faithful kindness of the LORD, so that I am not killed.
15But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
15And never cut off your kindness from my family, not even when the LORD has wiped every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth."
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
16So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account."
17And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
17Jonathan had David swear again, out of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.
The Sign of the Arrows
18Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
18Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the new moon festival. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.
19And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
19On the third day go quickly down to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel.
20And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
20I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as if I were shooting at a target.
21And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
21Then I will send a boy and say, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I call out to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; pick them up,' then come out, because as surely as the LORD lives, you are safe and there is no danger.
22But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.
22But if I say to the boy, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go on your way, because the LORD has sent you away.
23And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
23And about the matter you and I have talked about, the LORD is witness between you and me forever."
The Empty Seat
24So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
24So David hid in the field. When the new moon festival came, the king sat down to eat.
25And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.
25The king sat in his usual place by the wall. Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat beside Saul, but David's place was empty.
26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
26Saul said nothing that day, because he thought, "Something must have happened to him. He must be unclean; surely he is not clean."
27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
27But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty again. Saul asked his son Jonathan, "Why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal, either yesterday or today?"
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
28Jonathan answered Saul, "David begged me for permission to go to Bethlehem.
29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.
29He said, 'Please let me go, because our family is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has ordered me to be there. So if I have found favor with you, let me slip away and see my brothers.' That is why he has not come to the king's table."
Saul Turns on His Son
30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
30Then Saul's anger blazed against Jonathan. He said to him, "You son of a twisted, rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse, to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
31As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be secure. Now send for him and bring him to me, because he must die!"
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
32Jonathan answered his father Saul, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"
33And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
33Then Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father had made up his mind to kill David.
34So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
34Jonathan got up from the table in a fierce anger and ate nothing that second day of the month, because he was grieved for David and because his father had humiliated him.
The Arrow Beyond the Boy
35And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
35In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David, and a small boy went with him.
36And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
36He said to his boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
37And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
37When the boy reached the place where Jonathan's arrow had landed, Jonathan called after him, "Isn't the arrow beyond you?"
38And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
38Then Jonathan shouted after the boy, "Hurry! Quick! Don't stop!" The boy picked up the arrows and came back to his master.
39But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
39The boy knew nothing about it; only Jonathan and David knew what it meant.
40And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
40Jonathan handed his weapons to the boy and said, "Go, carry these back to town."
The Parting in the Field
41And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
41As soon as the boy had gone, David came out from the south side of the stone, fell face down on the ground, and bowed three times. Then they kissed each other and wept together, and David wept the most.
42And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
42Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, for we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine, forever.'" Then David got up and left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
XXI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Holy Bread at Nob
1Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
1Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met David and asked him, "Why are you by yourself, with no one along with you?"
2And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
2David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has given me a task, and he told me, 'Let no one know anything about the errand I am sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.' I have arranged to meet my men at a certain place.
3Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
3So now, what do you have on hand? Put five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever you can find."
4And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
4The priest answered David, "I have no ordinary bread here, but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least stayed away from women."
5And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
5David answered the priest, "Truly, women have been kept away from us for about three days now, ever since I set out. The bodies of the young men are clean, and the bread is more or less ordinary anyway, even though it was set apart as holy today."
6So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
6So the priest gave him the holy bread, because there was no bread there except the showbread that had been taken from before the LORD so that warm bread could be put in its place the day it was removed.
Doeg the Edomite and Goliath's Sword
7Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
7Now one of Saul's servants happened to be there that day, kept before the LORD. His name was Doeg, an Edomite, the head of Saul's herdsmen.
8And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.
8David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or a sword here? I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business was urgent."
9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
9The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, the one you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it, for there is no other here but that one." David said, "There is none like it. Give it to me."
David Feigns Madness Before Achish
10And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
10David got up that day and fled from Saul, and he went to Achish, the king of Gath.
11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
11Achish's servants said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Didn't they sing about him as they danced, 'Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"
12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
12David took these words to heart and became very afraid of Achish, the king of Gath.
13And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
13So he changed the way he acted in front of them and pretended to be insane while they held him. He scratched marks on the doors of the gate and let his spit run down his beard.
14Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
14Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you can see the man is mad. Why have you brought him to me?
15Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
15Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to act like a madman in front of me? Should someone like this come into my house?"
XXII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Cave of Adullam
1David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.
1So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there.
2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
2Everyone who was in trouble, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter at heart gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
3And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
3From there David went to Mizpeh in Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come and stay with you until I know what God is going to do for me."
4And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
4He brought them to the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
5And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
5Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah." So David left and went into the forest of Hareth.
Saul's Complaint and Doeg's Report
6When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
6Saul heard that David and the men with him had been found. At the time Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under a tree on the high ground, spear in hand, with all his servants standing around him.
7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
7Saul said to the servants standing around him, "Listen now, you men of Benjamin. Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?
8That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
8Is that why all of you have plotted against me? No one tells me that my own son has made a pact with the son of Jesse. Not one of you feels sorry for me or tells me that my son has stirred up my servant to lie in wait for me, as he is doing today."
9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
9Then Doeg the Edomite, who was in charge of Saul's servants, spoke up. "I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
10And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
10Ahimelech asked the LORD for guidance for him, gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."
Ahimelech Answers the King
11Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
11So the king sent for Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's household, the priests who were at Nob, and all of them came to the king.
12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
12Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." He answered, "Here I am, my lord."
13And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
13Saul said to him, "Why have you plotted against me, you and the son of Jesse? You gave him bread and a sword, and you asked God for guidance for him, so that he could rise up against me and lie in wait, as he is doing today."
14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
14Ahimelech answered the king, "Who among all your servants is as trustworthy as David? He is the king's son-in-law, he goes wherever you send him, and he is honored in your house.
15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
15Was that the first time I asked God for guidance for him? Certainly not! Let the king not accuse his servant or any of my father's household of anything, for your servant knew nothing at all about this, great or small."
16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
16But the king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's household."
The Priests of Nob Are Killed
17And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
17Then the king said to the guards standing around him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too are on David's side. They knew he was running away and did not tell me." But the king's servants would not lift a hand to strike down the priests of the LORD.
18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
18So the king said to Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.
19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
19He also put Nob, the town of the priests, to the sword, men and women, children and nursing babies, oxen, donkeys, and sheep, all of them killed with the sword.
Abiathar Escapes to David
20And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
20But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, whose name was Abiathar, escaped and fled to David.
21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD’s priests.
21Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the LORD's priests.
22And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
22David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am the cause of the death of everyone in your father's household.
23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
23Stay with me. Don't be afraid, for the one who wants my life wants your life too. You will be safe with me."
XXIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
David Saves Keilah
1Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
1Then David was told, "Look, the Philistines are attacking Keilah and robbing the threshing floors."
2Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
2So David asked the LORD, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD said to David, "Go, attack the Philistines, and rescue Keilah."
3And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
3But David's men said to him, "Look, we are afraid even here in Judah. How much worse will it be if we go to Keilah against the Philistine armies?"
4Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
4So David asked the LORD once again, and the LORD answered him, "Get up and go down to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you."
5So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
5So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. They drove off their livestock and struck them down with heavy losses. So David rescued the people of Keilah.
The Ephod and the Flight From Keilah
6And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
6Now when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
7Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and Saul said, "God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by going into a town with gates and bars."
8And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
8So Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah and lay siege to David and his men.
9And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
9David learned that Saul was secretly plotting harm against him, and he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."
10Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
10Then David said, "O LORD God of Israel, your servant has heard for certain that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me.
11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
11Will the men of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant." The LORD said, "He will come down."
12Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.
12Then David asked, "Will the men of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?" The LORD said, "They will hand you over."
13Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
13So David and his men, about six hundred of them, got up and left Keilah, moving from place to place wherever they could. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.
Jonathan Strengthens David in the Wood
14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
14David stayed in the wilderness, in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand him over to Saul.
15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
15David saw that Saul had come out to take his life, and David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wooded place.
16And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
16Then Jonathan, Saul's son, set out and went to David in the woods, and he encouraged him to trust in God.
17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
17He said to him, "Don't be afraid, for my father Saul's hand will not find you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this."
18And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
18The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went home.
The Ziphites Offer David Up
19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
19Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Isn't David hiding among us in the strongholds in the woods, on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon?
20Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
20So now, O king, come down whenever your heart desires to come, and it will be our part to hand him over to the king."
21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
21Saul said, "May the LORD bless you, for you have taken pity on me.
22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
22Go now and make further preparations. Find out and see exactly where he stays and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is very cunning.
23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
23Look carefully and learn all the hiding places where he conceals himself, and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you, and if he is in the land, I will hunt him down among all the clans of Judah."
24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
24So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. But David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain south of Jeshimon.
The Rock of Escape
25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
25Saul and his men went to search for him. When David was told, he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard this, he chased after David into the wilderness of Maon.
26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
26Saul went along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. David was hurrying to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were closing in around David and his men to capture them.
27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
27But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have raided the land."
28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
28So Saul turned back from chasing David and went to face the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.
29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
29David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En-gedi.
XXIV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Saul Enters the Cave
1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
1When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "Look, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi."
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men near the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
3He came to the sheep pens along the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting far back in the cave.
4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.
4David's men said to him, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he told you, 'I will hand your enemy over to you, and you may do to him whatever seems right to you.'" Then David got up and quietly cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
David's Heart Smote Him
5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
5But afterward David's conscience troubled him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe.
6And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, and raise my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed."
7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
7With these words David held his men back and did not let them rise up against Saul. Saul got up, left the cave, and went on his way.
David Calls After Saul
8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
8Afterward David also got up, went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down with his face to the ground.
9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
9David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to people who say, 'Look, David is out to harm you'?
10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.
10Today you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD handed you over to me in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not raise my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed.'
11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
11Look, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you can know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in me. I have not sinned against you, yet you are hunting me down to take my life.
12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
12May the LORD judge between me and you, and may the LORD avenge me on you, but my hand will not touch you.
13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13As the old saying goes, 'Wickedness comes from the wicked,' but my hand will not touch you.
14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
14Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who are you chasing? A dead dog! A single flea!
15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
15So may the LORD be the judge and decide between me and you. May he see this, take up my cause, and rescue me from your hand."
Saul Weeps and Asks an Oath
16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
16When David had finished saying these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" And Saul wept aloud.
17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I am, for you have treated me well, while I have treated you badly.
18And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
18Today you have shown how well you have dealt with me, because when the LORD handed me over to you, you did not kill me.
19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me today.
20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
20Now I know for certain that you will be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be firmly established in your hands.
21Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father’s house.
21So swear to me now by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me and will not wipe out my name from my father's household."
22And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
22David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
XXV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Samuel Dies
1And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
1Then Samuel died, and all Israel gathered to mourn for him, and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
David Sends Word to Nabal
2And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
2There was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was very wealthy, with three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.
3Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
3The man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail. She was a wise and beautiful woman, but the man was harsh and wicked in the way he acted. He was a descendant of Caleb.
4And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
4While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep.
5And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
5So David sent ten young men, and he told them, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.
6And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
6Say this to him who lives in such plenty: 'Peace to you, peace to your household, and peace to all that you have.
7And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
7I have heard that you have shearers at work. Now, when your shepherds were with us, we did them no harm, and nothing of theirs went missing the whole time they were in Carmel.
8Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
8Ask your young men and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you have on hand to your servants and to your son David.'"
Nabal's Insult and David's Anger
9And when David’s young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.
9When David's young men arrived, they said all this to Nabal in David's name, and then they waited.
10And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
10Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? These days there are lots of servants breaking away from their masters.
11Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
11Should I take my bread and my water and the meat I have butchered for my shearers and give it to men who come from who knows where?"
12So David’s young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
12So David's young men turned around and went back, and when they arrived they told him everything Nabal had said.
13And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
13David said to his men, "Every one of you, strap on your sword!" So each of them strapped on his sword, and David strapped on his sword too. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed behind with the supplies.
A Servant Warns Abigail
14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, "Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, and he hurled insults at them.
15But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
15Yet those men were very good to us. We were not mistreated, and we never missed anything the whole time we were out in the fields with them.
16They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
16They were like a wall around us, night and day, all the time we were with them tending the sheep.
17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
17Now think it over and decide what you are going to do, because disaster is settled against our master and his whole household. He is such a worthless man that no one can talk to him."
Abigail Rides Out to Meet David
18Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
18Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already butchered, five measures of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and she loaded them on donkeys.
19And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.
19She said to her servants, "Go on ahead of me. I am coming right behind you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
20And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.
20As she rode her donkey down the hidden side of the hill, there were David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them.
21Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
21Now David had just been saying, "It was all for nothing that I guarded everything this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing of his went missing. He has paid me back evil for good.
22So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
22May God deal with David's enemies, and worse, if by morning light I leave alive even one male of all who belong to him!"
Abigail's Plea
23And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
23When Abigail saw David, she quickly got down from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed to the ground.
24And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
24She fell at his feet and said, "My lord, let the blame be on me, on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you, and listen to what your servant has to say.
25Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
25Please, my lord, pay no attention to that worthless man Nabal. He is just like his name: Nabal is his name, and foolishness goes with him. But I, your servant, did not see the young men my lord sent.
26Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
26Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and as surely as you live, the LORD has kept you from shedding blood and from taking revenge with your own hand. So may your enemies, and all who want to harm my lord, be like Nabal.
27And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
27And now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.
28I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
28Please forgive your servant's offense, for the LORD will surely give my lord a lasting house, because my lord fights the LORD's battles, and no wrong has been found in you all your days.
29Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.
29Even though someone has risen up to chase you and take your life, the life of my lord will be tied up safely in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God, while he flings away the lives of your enemies like stones from the pocket of a sling.
30And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
30When the LORD has done for my lord all the good he has promised you, and has made you ruler over Israel,
31That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
31then my lord will have no regret or troubled conscience over having shed blood for no reason or having taken revenge for himself. And when the LORD has treated my lord well, remember your servant."
David Blesses Her Judgment
32And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
32David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me.
33And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
33Blessed be your good sense, and blessed be you, for you have kept me today from shedding blood and from taking revenge with my own hand.
34For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
34For as surely as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light."
35So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
35Then David accepted from her what she had brought him and said to her, "Go home in peace. See, I have listened to you and granted your request."
Nabal's Heart Fails
36And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
36Abigail went back to Nabal, and there he was, holding a feast in his house like the feast of a king. Nabal was in high spirits and very drunk, so she told him nothing at all until morning light.
37But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
37But in the morning, when the wine had worn off, his wife told him these things, and his heart failed inside him and he became like a stone.
38And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.
38About ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died.
David Marries Abigail
39And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
39When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has taken up my cause against the insult from Nabal and has kept his servant from doing wrong. The LORD has brought Nabal's wickedness back on his own head." Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.
40And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
40When David's servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, "David has sent us to you to take you to be his wife."
41And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.
41She got up, bowed with her face to the ground, and said, "Here is your servant, ready to wash the feet of my lord's servants."
42And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.
42Abigail quickly got up and rode on a donkey, with her five maids following her. She went with David's messengers and became his wife.
43David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
43David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and both of them were his wives.
44But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.
44But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was from Gallim.
XXVI
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Ziphites Betray David Again
1And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?
1The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Isn't David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, which faces Jeshimon?"
2Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
2So Saul set out and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph.
3And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
3Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, facing Jeshimon, beside the road. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul had come after him there.
4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
4So David sent out spies and learned that Saul had certainly arrived.
5And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
5Then David went to the place where Saul had camped. David saw the spot where Saul was lying, along with Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Saul lay inside the camp, with the troops camped around him.
The Spear and the Water Jug
6Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
6David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and asked, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai said, "I will go down with you."
7So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
7So David and Abishai went to the troops by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head, while Abner and the troops lay around him.
8Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
8Abishai said to David, "Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear. I will not need to strike him twice."
9And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?
9But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him. Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be without guilt?"
10David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
10David went on, "As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike him down. Either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and be killed.
11The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
11The LORD forbid that I should raise my hand against the LORD's anointed. But please take the spear that is by his head, and the jug of water, and let's go."
12So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
12So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul's head, and they slipped away. No one saw it, no one knew, and no one woke up, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
David Calls Across the Valley
13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
13Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of a hill some distance away, with a wide gap between them.
14And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?
14David shouted to the troops and to Abner the son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who are you, shouting at the king?"
15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
15David said to Abner, "Aren't you a brave man? Who in Israel is your equal? Then why haven't you guarded your lord the king? Someone from the people came in to destroy the king, your lord.
16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
16What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you all deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Now look and see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head."
David Pleads With Saul
17And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
17Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord the king."
18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
18Then he said, "Why is my lord chasing his servant like this? What have I done? What wrong am I guilty of?
19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
19Now please let my lord the king hear what his servant has to say. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering. But if it is people who have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD, for today they have driven me out of my share in the LORD's inheritance, saying, 'Go and serve other gods.'
20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
20So now, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a single flea, the way someone hunts a partridge in the mountains."
Saul's Last Words to David
21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
21Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son David. I will not harm you again, because today you treated my life as precious. Look, I have acted like a fool and have made a terrible mistake."
22And David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.
22David answered, "Here is the king's spear! Let one of the young men come over and get it.
23The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed.
23The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The LORD handed you over to me today, but I would not raise my hand against the LORD's anointed.
24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
24And just as I valued your life highly today, so may the LORD value my life highly, and may he rescue me from every trouble."
25Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
25Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David. You will do great things, and you will surely succeed." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.
XXVII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
David Goes Over to Gath
1And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
1David said to himself, "One of these days Saul is going to kill me. The best thing I can do is get away quickly into the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up hunting for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his reach."
2And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
2So David set out and crossed over, with the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
3And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.
3David settled in Gath with Achish, he and his men, each man with his family, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel, who had been Nabal's wife.
4And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
4When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he stopped searching for him.
Ziklag
5And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
5David said to Achish, "If I have won your favor, give me a place in one of the country towns where I can live. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?"
6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
6So that day Achish gave him Ziklag, which is why Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.
7And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
7David lived in Philistine country for a full year and four months.
Raids and a Cover Story
8And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
8David and his men went out and raided the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, peoples who had lived in that land from ancient times, all the way toward Shur and the border of Egypt.
9And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
9Whenever David attacked a region he left no man or woman alive, but he took the sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing, and then came back to Achish.
10And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
10Achish would ask, "Where did you raid today?" And David would say, "The southern part of Judah," or "the south where the Jerahmeelites live," or "the south where the Kenites live."
11And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
11David never left a man or woman alive to be brought back to Gath, because he thought, "They might tell on us and say, 'This is what David did, and this is how he has behaved the whole time he has lived among the Philistines.'"
12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
12Achish trusted David, thinking, "He has made his own people Israel hate him completely, so he will be my servant forever."
XXVIII
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Achish Calls David to Battle
1And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
1In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel, and Achish said to David, "Understand this: you and your men will march out with me to the battle."
2And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.
2David said to Achish, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Very well, I will make you my personal bodyguard for life."
Saul Can Get No Answer
3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own town. And Saul had driven out of the land everyone who called up spirits of the dead and everyone who practiced sorcery.
4And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
4The Philistines gathered and came and set up camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
5When Saul saw the Philistine army he was afraid, and his heart shook with fear.
6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
6Saul asked the LORD what to do, but the LORD gave him no answer, not by dreams, not by the Urim, and not by prophets.
The Woman at Endor
7Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
7So Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who calls up spirits of the dead, so I can go and ask her." His servants told him, "There is a woman like that at Endor."
8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
8Saul disguised himself, put on different clothes, and went with two of his men to the woman at night. He said, "Use your spirit to tell my fortune, and bring up for me the one I name to you."
9And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
9The woman said to him, "You know what Saul has done, how he has wiped out everyone who calls up the dead and everyone who practices sorcery. Why are you setting a trap to get me killed?"
10And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
10Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment will come to you for this."
11Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
11Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
Samuel Appears
12And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
12When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and she said to Saul, "Why have you tricked me? You are Saul!"
13And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
13The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a godlike being rising up out of the earth."
14And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
14"What does he look like?" he asked. She said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe." Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down with his face to the ground.
Samuel's Verdict
15And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
15Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in terrible trouble. The Philistines are making war on me, and God has left me and no longer answers me, not by prophets and not by dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do."
16Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
16Samuel said, "Why are you asking me, when the LORD has left you and become your enemy?
17And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
17The LORD has done exactly what he said through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.
18Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.
19Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
19What is more, the LORD will hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines."
A Last Meal
20Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
20At once Saul fell full length on the ground, terrified by Samuel's words. He had no strength left, because he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.
21And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
21The woman came to Saul and saw how badly shaken he was, and she said to him, "Look, your servant has done what you asked. I risked my life and did what you told me.
22Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.
22Now please listen to your servant in turn. Let me set a little food in front of you, and eat, so you will have strength for your journey."
23But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
23But he refused and said, "I won't eat." His servants and the woman kept urging him, though, until he gave in. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
24The woman had a fattened calf at the house, and she quickly killed it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.
25And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
25She set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that same night.
29
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
The Philistine Lords Object
1Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
1The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, while the Israelites camped by the spring in Jezreel.
2And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
2As the Philistine rulers marched past in their companies of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched at the rear with Achish.
3Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
3The Philistine commanders asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish said to the Philistine commanders, "This is David, who served Saul king of Israel. He has been with me for a year or more now, and I have found nothing wrong with him from the day he came over to me until today."
4And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
4But the Philistine commanders were angry with him. They said, "Send this man back to the place you assigned him. He must not go into battle with us, or he may turn against us in the fighting. What better way could he win back his master's favor than with the heads of our men?
5Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
5Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: 'Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"
Achish Sends David Home
6Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
6So Achish called David and said to him, "As surely as the LORD lives, you have been honest, and I would be glad to have you marching in and out with me in the army. I have found nothing wrong in you from the day you came to me until today. But the rulers don't approve of you.
7Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
7So turn back now and go in peace, so you don't upset the Philistine rulers."
8And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
8David said to Achish, "But what have I done? What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until today, that I can't go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?"
9And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
9Achish answered David, "I know you are as good in my eyes as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, 'He is not going up with us to the battle.'
10Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
10So get up early in the morning, you and your master's servants who came with you, and as soon as it is light, leave."
11So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
11So David and his men rose early in the morning to head back to Philistine country, and the Philistines went on up to Jezreel.
30
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Ziklag Burned
1And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
1When David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day, they found that the Amalekites had raided the south and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it to the ground,
2And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
2and they had taken captive the women who were there. They had killed no one, young or old, but had carried them off and gone on their way.
3So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
3So when David and his men came to the town, they found it burned, and their wives, sons, and daughters taken captive.
4Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
4David and the people with him cried aloud and wept until they had no strength left to weep.
5And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
5David's two wives had been taken captive too, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.
6And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
6David was in great distress, because the people were talking about stoning him. Everyone was bitter over their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
David Asks God and Pursues
7And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
7David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Please bring me the ephod." And Abiathar brought the ephod to David.
8And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
8David asked the LORD, "Should I go after this raiding band? Will I catch up with them?" The answer came, "Go after them. You will certainly catch them, and you will certainly get everything back."
9So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
9So David set out with the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where some of them stopped and stayed behind.
10But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
10David kept up the chase with four hundred men, while two hundred stayed behind because they were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.
The Abandoned Egyptian
11And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
11They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him bread, and he ate, and they gave him water to drink.
12And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
12They also gave him a piece of pressed figs and two bunches of raisins. When he had eaten, he revived, because he had had no food or water for three days and three nights.
13And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
13David asked him, "Who do you belong to, and where are you from?" He said, "I am an Egyptian, the servant of an Amalekite. My master left me behind when I got sick three days ago.
14We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
14We raided the southern land of the Cherethites, the territory of Judah, and the south where Caleb's people live, and we burned Ziklag."
15And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
15David said to him, "Can you lead me down to this band?" He said, "Swear to me by God that you won't kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will lead you down to them."
The Raiders Destroyed
16And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
16When he led David down, there they were, scattered all over the countryside, eating, drinking, and celebrating over the huge haul they had taken from Philistine land and from Judah.
17And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
17David attacked them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and not one of them got away except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and escaped.
18And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
18David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives.
19And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
19Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought it all back.
20And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.
20David also took all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, saying, "This is David's plunder."
The Rule About the Spoil
21And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
21Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and had been left at the brook Besor. They came out to meet David and the people with him, and as David came near, he greeted them.
22Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
22But all the mean and worthless men among those who had gone with David spoke up. "They didn't go with us," they said, "so we won't give them any of the plunder we recovered, except each man's wife and children. They can take those and go."
23Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
23David said, "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and handed over to us the band that came against us.
24For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
24Who would listen to you on this? The share of the man who stays with the supplies is the same as the share of the man who goes down to the fight. They all share alike."
25And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
25From that day on David made this a rule and a law for Israel, and it still stands today.
Gifts to the Elders of Judah
26And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;
26When David got back to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, his friends, with the message, "Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD's enemies."
27To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,
27He sent it to those in Bethel, to those in Ramoth in the south, to those in Jattir,
28And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,
28to those in Aroer, to those in Siphmoth, to those in Eshtemoa,
29And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
29to those in Rachal, to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites, to those in the towns of the Kenites,
30And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,
30to those in Hormah, to those in Chorashan, to those in Athach,
31And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
31to those in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men had roamed.
31
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
Saul and His Sons Die at Gilboa
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel ran from them and fell dead on Mount Gilboa.
2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul’s sons.
2The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons.
3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
3The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and the archers found him and wounded him badly.
4Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
4Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and make sport of me." But his armor-bearer would not do it, because he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
5And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
5When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.
6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
6So Saul died, along with his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men, all on that same day.
The Philistines Display Saul's Body
7And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
7When the Israelites across the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the army of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and ran, and the Philistines came and lived in them.
8And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
8The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons lying fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
9They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers all through Philistine country to spread the news in the temples of their idols and among the people.
10And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
10They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
The Men of Jabesh-gilead
11And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
11When the people of Jabeshgilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
12all their brave men set out and marched through the night. They took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall of Bethshan, brought them to Jabesh, and burned them there.
13And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13Then they took their bones and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.