Elijah. Man of Courage, Man of Faith, Man of God.

The Gospel of Mark (Part Seven)

Fully Devoted

Unapologetically Sold Out: 7 Days of Prayers for Millennials to Live Whole-Heartedly Committed to Jesus Christ

FruitFULL - Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control - the Mature Expression of Faith

Ruth | Chapter Summaries + Study Questions

Judges | Chapter Summaries + Study Questions

Let Us Pray

Faith in Hard Times

The Lies We Believe: Beyond Quick Fixes to Real Freedom Part 2

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch26" data-usfm="1SA.26">
         <div class="label">26</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David Again Spares Saul&#8217;s Life</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.26.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, &#8220;Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.26.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.26.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.26.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there, </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.26.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.26.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.26.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.26.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.26.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab&#8217;s brother, &#8220;Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.26.6"><span class="content">&#8220;I&#8217;ll go with you,&#8221; said Abishai.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.26.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.26.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.26.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.26.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Abishai said to David, &#8220;Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won&#8217;t strike him twice.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.26.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.26.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But David said to Abishai, &#8220;Don&#8217;t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed and be guiltless? </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.26.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives,&#8221; he said, &#8220;the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.26.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> forbid that I should lay a hand on the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let&#8217;s go.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.26.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.26.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">So David took the spear and water jug near Saul&#8217;s head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> had put them into a deep sleep.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.26.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.26.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.26.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, &#8220;Aren&#8217;t you going to answer me, Abner?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.26.14"><span class="content">Abner replied, &#8220;Who are you who calls to the king?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.26.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.26.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">David said, &#8220;You&#8217;re a man, aren&#8217;t you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn&#8217;t you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1SA.26.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">What you have done is not good. As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives, you and your men must die, because you did not guard your master, the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed. Look around you. Where are the king&#8217;s spear and water jug that were near his head?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1SA.26.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1SA.26.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Saul recognized David&#8217;s voice and said, &#8220;Is that your voice, David my son?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1SA.26.17"><span class="content">David replied, &#8220;Yes it is, my lord the king.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="1SA.26.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">And he added, &#8220;Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1SA.26.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Now let my lord the king listen to his servant&#8217;s words. If the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">! They have driven me today from my share in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s inheritance and have said, &#8216;Go, serve other gods.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.26.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea&#8212;as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.26.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1SA.26.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then Saul said, &#8220;I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1SA.26.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1SA.26.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;Here is the king&#8217;s spear,&#8221; David answered. &#8220;Let one of your young men come over and get it. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1SA.26.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s anointed. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1SA.26.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">As surely as I valued your life today, so may the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> value my life and deliver me from all trouble.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1SA.26.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1SA.26.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Then Saul said to David, &#8220;May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1SA.26.25"><span class="content">So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch27" data-usfm="1SA.27">
         <div class="label">27</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David Among the Philistines</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.27.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">But David thought to himself, &#8220;One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.27.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.27.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.27.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.27.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.27.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.27.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then David said to Achish, &#8220;If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.27.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.27.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.27.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.27.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.27.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.27.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.27.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.27.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">When Achish asked, &#8220;Where did you go raiding today?&#8221; David would say, &#8220;Against the Negev of Judah&#8221; or &#8220;Against the Negev of Jerahmeel&#8221; or &#8220;Against the Negev of the Kenites.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.27.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, &#8220;They might inform on us and say, &#8216;This is what David did.&#8217;&#8198;&#8221; And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.27.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Achish trusted David and said to himself, &#8220;He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.&#8221;</span></span></div>
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   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch28" data-usfm="1SA.28">
         <div class="label">28</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.28.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, &#8220;You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.28.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.28.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">David said, &#8220;Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.28.2"><span class="content">Achish replied, &#8220;Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Saul and the Medium at Endor</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.28.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.28.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.28.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.28.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.28.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.28.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">He inquired of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, but the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.28.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Saul then said to his attendants, &#8220;Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.28.7"><span class="content">&#8220;There is one in Endor,&#8221; they said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.28.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.28.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. &#8220;Consult a spirit for me,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and bring up for me the one I name.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.28.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.28.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But the woman said to him, &#8220;Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.28.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.28.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Saul swore to her by the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives, you will not be punished for this.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.28.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.28.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Then the woman asked, &#8220;Whom shall I bring up for you?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.28.11"><span class="content">&#8220;Bring up Samuel,&#8221; he said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.28.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.28.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, &#8220;Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.28.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.28.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">The king said to her, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid. What do you see?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.28.13"><span class="content">The woman said, &#8220;I see a ghostly figure</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">28:13 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">see spirits</span><span class="ft">; or </span><span class="fqa">see gods</span></span></span><span class="content"> coming up out of the earth.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.28.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.28.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;What does he look like?&#8221; he asked.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.28.14"><span class="content">&#8220;An old man wearing a robe is coming up,&#8221; she said.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.28.14"><span class="content">Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.28.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.28.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Samuel said to Saul, &#8220;Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.28.15"><span class="content">&#8220;I am in great distress,&#8221; Saul said. &#8220;The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.28.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1SA.28.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Samuel said, &#8220;Why do you consult me, now that the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has departed from you and become your enemy? </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1SA.28.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has done what he predicted through me. The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors&#8212;to David. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="1SA.28.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Because you did not obey the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has done this to you today. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1SA.28.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1SA.28.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.28.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel&#8217;s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.28.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1SA.28.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, &#8220;Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1SA.28.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1SA.28.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1SA.28.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">He refused and said, &#8220;I will not eat.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1SA.28.23"><span class="content">But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1SA.28.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1SA.28.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1SA.28.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch29" data-usfm="1SA.29">
         <div class="label">29</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.29.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.29.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.29.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">The commanders of the Philistines asked, &#8220;What about these Hebrews?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.29.3"><span class="content">Achish replied, &#8220;Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.29.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.29.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, &#8220;Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master&#8217;s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.29.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Isn&#8217;t this the David they sang about in their dances:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.29.5"><span class="content">&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Saul has slain his thousands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.29.5"><span class="content">and David his tens of thousands&#8217;?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.29.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.29.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So Achish called David and said to him, &#8220;As surely as the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don&#8217;t approve of you. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.29.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.29.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.29.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;But what have I done?&#8221; asked David. &#8220;What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can&#8217;t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.29.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.29.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Achish answered, &#8220;I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, &#8216;He must not go up with us into battle.&#8217; </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.29.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Now get up early, along with your master&#8217;s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.29.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.29.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch30" data-usfm="1SA.30">
         <div class="label">30</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">David Destroys the Amalekites</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.30.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.30.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.30.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.30.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.30.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.30.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">David&#8217;s two wives had been captured&#8212;Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.30.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> his God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.30.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.30.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, &#8220;Bring me the ephod.&#8221; Abiathar brought it to him, </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.30.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">and David inquired of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.30.8"><span class="content">&#8220;Pursue them,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.30.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.30.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.30.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.30.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.30.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.30.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.30.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.30.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">David asked him, &#8220;Who do you belong to? Where do you come from?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.30.13"><span class="content">He said, &#8220;I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.30.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="1SA.30.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.30.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">David asked him, &#8220;Can you lead me down to this raiding party?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.30.15"><span class="content">He answered, &#8220;Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="1SA.30.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="1SA.30.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="1SA.30.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="1SA.30.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="1SA.30.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.30.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, &#8220;This is David&#8217;s plunder.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="1SA.30.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="1SA.30.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1SA.30.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">But all the evil men and troublemakers among David&#8217;s followers said, &#8220;Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="1SA.30.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="1SA.30.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">David replied, &#8220;No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="1SA.30.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1SA.30.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="1SA.30.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="1SA.30.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, &#8220;Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s enemies.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="1SA.30.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="1SA.30.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">David sent it to those who were in Bethel, Ramoth Negev and Jattir; </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="1SA.30.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="1SA.30.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">and Rakal; to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites; </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="1SA.30.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">to those in Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athak </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="1SA.30.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where he and his men had roamed.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk1SA">
      <div class="chapter ch31" data-usfm="1SA.31">
         <div class="label">31</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Saul Takes His Life</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="1SA.31.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="1SA.31.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.31.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="1SA.31.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.31.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Saul said to his armor-bearer, &#8220;Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="1SA.31.4"><span class="content">But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="1SA.31.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.31.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="1SA.31.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.31.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="1SA.31.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="1SA.31.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="1SA.31.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.31.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="1SA.31.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="1SA.31.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="1SA.31.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="1SA.31.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch57" data-usfm="PSA.57">
         <div class="label">57</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 57</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft"><span class="heading">In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">For the director of music. To the tune of &#8220;Do Not Destroy.&#8221; Of David. A </span><span class="tl"><span class="content">miktam.</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">Title: Probably a literary or musical term</span></span></span><span class="content"> When he had fled from Saul into the cave.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.57.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.57.1"><span class="content">for in you I take refuge.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.57.1"><span class="content">I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.57.1"><span class="content">until the disaster has passed.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.57.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.57.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">I cry out to God Most High,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.57.2"><span class="content">to God, who vindicates me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.57.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.57.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He sends from heaven and saves me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.57.3"><span class="content">rebuking those who hotly pursue me&#8212;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">57:3 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew has </span><span class="fqa">Selah </span><span class="ft">(a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.57.3"><span class="content">God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.57.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.57.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">I am in the midst of lions;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.57.4"><span class="content">I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.57.4"><span class="content">men whose teeth are spears and arrows,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.57.4"><span class="content">whose tongues are sharp swords.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.57.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.57.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.57.5"><span class="content">let your glory be over all the earth.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.57.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.57.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">They spread a net for my feet&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.57.6"><span class="content">I was bowed down in distress.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.57.6"><span class="content">They dug a pit in my path&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.57.6"><span class="content">but they have fallen into it themselves.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.57.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.57.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">My heart, O God, is steadfast,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.57.7"><span class="content">my heart is steadfast;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.57.7"><span class="content">I will sing and make music.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.57.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.57.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Awake, my soul!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.57.8"><span class="content">Awake, harp and lyre!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.57.8"><span class="content">I will awaken the dawn.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.57.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.57.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.57.9"><span class="content">I will sing of you among the peoples.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.57.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.57.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.57.10"><span class="content">your faithfulness reaches to the skies.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.57.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.57.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.57.11"><span class="content">let your glory be over all the earth.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

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