Bible in 90 Days

³⁰ “Therefore, this is the declaration of the Lord, the God of Israel:

³¹ “‘Look, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your ancestral family, so that none in your family will reach old age.^{(D) 32} You will see distress in the place of worship,^(E) in spite of all that is good in Israel, and no one in your family will ever again reach old age.^{(F) 33} Any man from your family I do not cut off from My altar will bring grief^[a] and sadness to you. All your descendants will die violently.^{[b][c] 34} This will be the sign that will come to you concerning your two sons Hophni and Phinehas:^(G) both of them will die on the same day.^(H)

³⁵ “‘Then I will raise up a faithful priest^(I) for Myself. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. I will establish a lasting dynasty for him,^(J) and he will walk before My anointed one for all time.^{(K) 36} Anyone who is left in your family will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread. He will say: Please appoint me to some priestly office so I can have a piece of bread to eat.’”

Samuel’s Call

3 The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence.^(L) In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread.^(M)

² One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing,^(N) was lying in his room. ³ Before the lamp of God had gone out,^(O) Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was located.

⁴ Then the Lord called Samuel,^[d] and he answered, “Here I am.” ⁵ He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

⁶ Once again the Lord called, “Samuel!”

Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

“I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.”

⁷ Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ⁸ Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

¹¹ The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that everyone who hears about it will shudder.^{(P) 12} On that day I will carry out against Eli everything I said about his family, from beginning to end.^{(Q) 13} I told him that I am going to judge his family forever because of the iniquity he knows about: his sons are defiling the sanctuary,^[e] and he has not stopped them.^{(R) 14} Therefore, I have sworn to Eli’s family: The iniquity of Eli’s family will never be wiped out by either sacrifice or offering.”^(S)

¹⁵ Samuel lay down until the morning; then he opened the doors of the Lord’s house. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, ¹⁶ but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”

“Here I am,” answered Samuel.

¹⁷ “What was the message He gave you?” Eli asked. “Don’t hide it from me. May God punish you and do so severely if you hide anything from me that He told you.”^{(T) 18} So Samuel told him everything and did not hide anything from him. Eli responded, “He is the Lord. He will do what He thinks is good.”^[f](U)

¹⁹ Samuel grew,^(V) and the Lord was with him,^(W) and He fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied.^{[g](X) 20} All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a confirmed prophet of the Lord.^{(Y) 21} The Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.^(Z) 4 ¹ And Samuel’s words came to all Israel.

The Ark Captured by the Philistines

Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and^[h] camped at Ebenezer^(AA) while the Philistines camped at Aphek.^{(AB) 2} The Philistines lined up in battle formation against Israel, and as the battle intensified, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about 4,000 men on the battlefield.

³ When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord let us be defeated today by the Philistines?^(AC) Let’s bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh. Then it^[i] will go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”^{(AD) 4} So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.^(AE) Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. ⁵ When the ark of the covenant of the Lord entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a loud shout that the ground shook.^(AF)

⁶ The Philistines heard the sound of the war cry and asked, “What’s this loud shout in the Hebrews’ camp?” When the Philistines discovered that the ark of the Lord had entered the camp, ⁷ they panicked. “The gods have entered their camp!” they said. “Woe to us, nothing like this has happened before.^{[j] 8} Woe to us, who will rescue us from the hand of these magnificent gods? These are the gods that slaughtered the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. ⁹ Show some courage and be men, Philistines!^(AG) Otherwise, you’ll serve the Hebrews just as they served you.^(AH) Now be men and fight!”

¹⁰ So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated,^(AI) and each man fled to his tent.^(AJ) The slaughter was severe—30,000 of the Israelite foot soldiers fell. ¹¹ The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.^(AK)

Eli’s Death and Ichabod’s Birth

¹² That same day, a Benjaminite man ran^(AL) from the battle and came to Shiloh. His clothes were torn,^(AM) and there was dirt on his head. ¹³ When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair beside the road watching,^(AN) because he was anxious about the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the entire city cried out.

¹⁴ Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” The man quickly came and reported to Eli. ¹⁵ At that time Eli was 98 years old, and his gaze was fixed^[k] because he couldn’t see.^(AO)

¹⁶ The man said to Eli, “I’m the one who came from the battle.^[l] I fled from there today.”

“What happened, my son?”^(AP) Eli asked.

¹⁷ The messenger answered, “Israel has fled from the Philistines, and also there was a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” ¹⁸ When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off the chair by the city gate,^(AQ) and since he was old and heavy, his neck broke and he died. Eli had judged Israel 40 years.

¹⁹ Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news about the capture of God’s ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth because her labor pains came on her. ²⁰ As she was dying,^[m] the women taking care of her said, “Don’t be afraid. You’ve given birth to a son!”^(AR) But she did not respond or pay attention. ²¹ She named the boy Ichabod,^[n] saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,”^(AS) referring to the capture of the ark of God^(AT) and to the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. ²² “The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “because the ark of God has been captured.”

The Ark in Philistine Hands

5 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer^(AU) to Ashdod,^{(AV) 2} brought it into the temple of Dagon^[o](AW) and placed it next to his statue.^{[p] 3} When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord.^(AX) So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. ⁴ But when they got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. This time, both Dagon’s head and the palms of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso remained.^{[q] 5} That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and everyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod do not step on Dagon’s threshold.

⁶ The Lord’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod,^(AY) terrorizing^(AZ) and afflicting the people of Ashdod and its territory with tumors.^{[r][s](BA) 7} When the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of Israel’s God must not stay here with us, because His hand is strongly against us and our god Dagon.” ⁸ So they called all the Philistine rulers together^(BB) and asked, “What should we do with the ark of Israel’s God?”

“The ark of Israel’s God should be moved to Gath,” they replied. So the men of Ashdod moved the ark. ⁹ After they had moved it, the Lord’s hand was against the city of Gath,^(BC) causing a great panic. He afflicted the men of the city, from the youngest to the oldest, with an outbreak of tumors.^(BD)

¹⁰ The Gittites then sent the ark of God to Ekron, but when it got there, the Ekronites cried out, “They’ve moved the ark of Israel’s God to us to kill us and our people!”^[t]

¹¹ The Ekronites called all the Philistine rulers together.^(BE) They said, “Send the ark of Israel’s God away. It must return to its place so it won’t kill us and our people!”^[u] For the fear of death pervaded the city; God’s hand was oppressing them.^{(BF) 12} The men who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.^(BG)

The Return of the Ark

6 When the ark of the Lord had been in the land of the Philistines for seven months, ² the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners^(BH) and pleaded, “What should we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we can send it back to its place.”

³ They replied, “If you send the ark of Israel’s God away, you must not send it without an offering.^(BI) You must send back a restitution offering to Him,^(BJ) and you will be healed. Then the reason His hand hasn’t been removed from you will be revealed.”^[v]

⁴ They asked, “What restitution offering should we send back to Him?”

And they answered, “Five gold tumors and five gold mice^(BK) corresponding to the number of Philistine rulers,^(BL) since there was one plague for both you^[w] and your rulers. ⁵ Make images of your tumors and of your mice that are destroying the land. Give glory to Israel’s God,^(BM) and perhaps He will stop oppressing you,^[x](BN) your gods, and your land.^{(BO) 6} Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs?^(BP) When He afflicted them, didn’t they send Israel away, and Israel left?^(BQ)

⁷ “Now then, prepare one new cart and two milk cows that have never been yoked.^(BR) Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. ⁸ Take the ark of the Lord, place it on the cart, and put the gold objects that you’re sending Him as a restitution offering in a box^(BS) beside the ark.^(BT) Send it off and let it go its way. ⁹ Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh,^(BU) it is the Lord who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn’t, we will know that it was not His hand that punished^(BV) us—it was just something that happened to us by chance.”

¹⁰ The men did this: They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and confined their calves in the pen. ¹¹ Then they put the ark of the Lord on the cart, along with the box containing the gold mice and the images of their tumors. ¹² The cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh.^(BW) They stayed on that one highway,^(BX) lowing as they went; they never strayed to the right or to the left. The Philistine rulers were walking behind them to the territory of Beth-shemesh.

¹³ The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed to see it. ¹⁴ The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there near a large rock. The people of the city chopped up the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord.^{(BY) 15} The Levites^(BZ) removed the ark of the Lord, along with the box containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord. ¹⁶ When the five Philistine rulers^(CA) observed this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

¹⁷ As a restitution offering to the Lord, the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city:^(CB) Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. ¹⁸ The number of gold mice also corresponded to the number of Philistine cities of the five rulers, the fortified cities and the outlying villages.^(CC) The large rock^[y](CD) on which the ark of the Lord was placed is in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh to this day.

¹⁹ God struck down the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the Lord.^[z](CE) He struck down 70 men out of 50,000 men.^[aa] The people mourned because the Lord struck them with a great slaughter. ²⁰ The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who is able to stand in the presence of this holy Lord God?^(CF) Who should the ark go to from here?”

²¹ They sent messengers to the residents of Kiriath-jearim,^(CG) saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and get it.”^[ab]

7 So the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the Lord and took it to Abinadab’s house on the hill.^(CH) They consecrated his son Eleazar to take care of it.

Victory at Mizpah

² Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the Lord. ³ Samuel told them, “If you^(CI) are returning to the Lord^(CJ) with all your heart,^(CK) get rid of the foreign gods^(CL) and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to^[ac] the Lord, and worship only Him.^(CM) Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” ⁴ So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths^(CN) and only worshiped the Lord.

⁵ Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah,^(CO) and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”^{(CP) 6} When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence.^(CQ) They fasted that day,^(CR) and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”^(CS) And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

⁷ When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. ⁸ The 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.”

⁹ Then Samuel took a young lamb^(CT) and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord answered him.^{(CU) 10} Samuel was offering the burnt offering as the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. The Lord thundered loudly^(CV) against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.^{(CW) 11} Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines striking them down all the way to a place below Beth-car.

¹² Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright^(CX) between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,^[ad] explaining, “The Lord has helped us to this point.” ¹³ So the Philistines were subdued^(CY) and^[ae] did not invade Israel’s territory again.^(CZ) The Lord’s hand was against the Philistines all of Samuel’s life. ¹⁴ The cities from Ekron to Gath, which they had taken from Israel, were restored; Israel even rescued their surrounding territories from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.

¹⁵ Samuel judged Israel throughout his life.^{(DA) 16} Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations. ¹⁷ Then he would return to Ramah^(DB) because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the Lord there.

Israel’s Demand for a King

8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.^{(DC) 2} His firstborn son’s name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.^{(DD) 3} However, his sons did not walk in his ways—they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.^(DE)

⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.^{(DF) 5} They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.”^(DG)

⁶ When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord. ⁷ But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king.^{(DH) 8} They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me,^[af] since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. ⁹ Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them^(DI) and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.”

¹⁰ Samuel told all the Lord’s words to the people who were asking him for a king. ¹¹ He said, “These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots. ¹² He can appoint them for his use as commanders of thousands or commanders of fifties,^(DJ) to plow his ground or reap his harvest, or to make his weapons of war or the equipment for his chariots. ¹³ He can take your daughters to become perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ¹⁴ He can take your best fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his servants.^{(DK) 15} He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants. ¹⁶ He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men,^[ag] and your donkeys and use them for his work. ¹⁷ He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants. ¹⁸ When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you’ve chosen for yourselves,^(DL) but the Lord won’t answer you on that day.”^(DM)

¹⁹ The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. ²⁰ Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us,^(DN) and fight our battles.”

²¹ Samuel listened to all the people’s words and then repeated them to the Lord.^{[ah] 22} “Listen to them,” the Lord told Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.”^(DO)

Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Each of you, go back to your city.”

Saul Anointed King

9 There was an influential man of Benjamin named Kish^(DP) son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite. ² He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man.^(DQ) There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else.^[ai](DR)

³ One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off. Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the attendants with you and go look for the donkeys.” ⁴ Saul and his attendant went through the hill country of Ephraim^(DS) and then through the region of Shalishah,^(DT) but they didn’t find them. They went through the region of Shaalim^(DU)—nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn’t find them.

⁵ When they came to the land of Zuph,^(DV) Saul said to the attendant who was with him, “Come on, let’s go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”^(DW)

⁶ “Look,” the attendant said, “there’s a man of God^(DX) in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true.^(DY) Let’s go there now. Maybe he’ll tell us which way we should go.”^(DZ)

⁷ “Suppose we do go,” Saul said to his attendant, “what do we take the man? The food from our packs is gone, and there’s no gift to take to the man of God.^(EA) What do we have?”

⁸ The attendant answered Saul: “Here, I have a piece^[aj] of silver. I’ll give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

⁹ Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, “Come, let’s go to the seer,” for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.^(EB)

¹⁰ “Good,” Saul replied to his attendant. “Come on, let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. ¹¹ As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water^(EC) and asked, “Is the seer here?”

¹² The women answered, “Yes, he is ahead of you. Hurry, he just now came to the city, because there’s a sacrifice^(ED) for the people at the high place^(EE) today. ¹³ If you go quickly, you can catch up with him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won’t eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately—you can find him now.” ¹⁴ So they went up toward the city.

Saul and his attendant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place. ¹⁵ Now the day before Saul’s arrival, the Lord had informed Samuel,^{[ak](EF) 16} “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel.^(EG) He will save them from the hand of the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of My people,^(EH) for their cry has come to Me.” ¹⁷ When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man I told you about;^(EI) he will rule over My people.”

¹⁸ Saul approached Samuel in the gate area and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

¹⁹ “I am the seer,” Samuel answered.^[al] “Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. When I send you off in the morning, I’ll tell you everything that’s in your heart. ²⁰ As for the donkeys that wandered away from you three days ago,^(EJ) don’t worry about them because they’ve been found. And who does all Israel desire^(EK) but you and all your father’s family?”

²¹ Saul responded, “Am I not a Benjaminite^(EL) from the smallest of Israel’s tribes and isn’t my clan the least important of all the clans of the Benjaminite tribe?^(EM) So why have you said something like this to me?”

²² Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30^[am] or so men who had been invited. ²³ Then Samuel said to the cook, “Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside.”

²⁴ The cook picked up the thigh^(EN) and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, ‘I’ve invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ²⁵ Afterward, they went down from the high place to the city, and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.^[an](EO)

²⁶ They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I’ll send you on your way!” Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside. ²⁷ As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the attendant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I’ll reveal the word of God to you.” So the attendant went on.

10 Samuel took the flask of oil,^(EP) poured it out on Saul’s head,^(EQ) kissed him, and said, “Hasn’t the Lord anointed you^(ER) ruler over His inheritance?^{[ao](ES) 2} Today when you leave me, you’ll find two men at Rachel’s Grave^(ET) at Zelzah in the land of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found,^(EU) and now your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worried about you, asking: What should I do about my son?’

³ “You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor.^(EV) Three men going up to God at Bethel^(EW) will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a skin of wine. ⁴ They will ask how you are and give you two loaves^[ap] of bread, which you will accept from them.

⁵ “After that you will come to the Hill of God^[aq](EX) where there are Philistine garrisons.^[ar] When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets^(EY) coming down from the high place prophesying.^(EZ) They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres. ⁶ The Spirit of the Lord will control you,^(FA) you will prophesy with them,^(FB) and you will be transformed into a different person.^{(FC) 7} When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require^[as](FD) because God is with you. ⁸ Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do.”

⁹ When Saul turned around^[at] to leave Samuel, God changed his heart,^[au] and all the signs came about that day. ¹⁰ When Saul and his attendant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God took control of him, and he prophesied along with them.

¹¹ Everyone who knew him previously and saw him prophesy with the prophets asked each other, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”^(FE)

¹² Then a man who was from there asked, “And who is their father?”^(FF)

As a result, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” became a popular saying. ¹³ Then Saul finished prophesying and went to the high place.

¹⁴ Saul’s uncle^(FG) asked him and his attendant, “Where did you go?”

“To look for the donkeys,” Saul answered. “When we saw they weren’t there, we went to Samuel.”^(FH)

¹⁵ “Tell me,” Saul’s uncle asked, “what did Samuel say to you?”

¹⁶ Saul told him, “He assured us the donkeys had been found.” However, Saul did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.

Saul Received as King

¹⁷ Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah^{(FI) 18} and said to the Israelites, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:^(FJ) ‘I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ ¹⁹ But today you have rejected your God,^(FK) who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions. You said to Him, ‘You^[av] must set a king over us.’^(FL) Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”^(FM)

²⁰ Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. ²¹ Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the Matrite clan was selected.^[aw] Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected.^(FN) But when they searched for him, they could not find him. ²² They again inquired of the Lord,^(FO) “Has the man come here yet?”

The Lord replied, “There he is, hidden among the supplies.”

²³ They ran and got him from there. When he stood among the people, he stood a head taller than anyone else.^{[ax](FP) 24} Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the Lord has chosen?^(FQ) There is no one like him among the entire population.”

And all the people shouted,^[ay] “Long live the king!”^(FR)

²⁵ Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship.^(FS) He wrote them on a scroll, which he placed in the presence of the Lord.^(FT) Then Samuel sent all the people away, each to his home.

²⁶ Saul also went to his home in Gibeah,^(FU) and brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him. ²⁷ But some wicked men said, “How can this guy save us?” They despised him and did not bring him a gift,^(FV) but Saul said nothing.^[az][ba]

Saul’s Deliverance of Jabesh-gilead

11 Nahash^[bb](FW) the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead.^(FX) All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty^(FY) with us, and we will serve you.”

² Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I’ll make one with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye^(FZ) and humiliate all Israel.”^(GA)

³ “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.”

⁴ When the messengers came to Gibeah,^(GB) Saul’s hometown, and told the terms to^[bc] the people, all wept aloud.^{(GC) 5} Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. “What’s the matter with the people? Why are they weeping?” Saul inquired, and they repeated to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

⁶ When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly took control of him,^(GD) and his anger burned furiously. ⁷ He took a team of oxen, cut them in pieces,^(GE) and sent them throughout the land of Israel by messengers who said, “This is what will be done to the ox of anyone who doesn’t march behind Saul and Samuel.”^(GF) As a result, the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they went out united.^(GG)

⁸ Saul counted them at Bezek.^(GH) There were 300,000^[bd](GI) Israelites and 30,000^[be] men from Judah. ⁹ He told the messengers who had come, “Tell this to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” So the messengers told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.

¹⁰ Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do whatever you want^[bf] to us.”

¹¹ The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions.^(GJ) During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Saul’s Confirmation as King

¹² Afterward, the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not^[bg] reign over us?^(GK) Give us those men so we can kill them!”^(GL)

¹³ But Saul ordered, “No one will be executed this day, for today the Lord has provided deliverance in Israel.”^(GM)

¹⁴ Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let’s go to Gilgal, so we can renew the kingship there.” ¹⁵ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there in the Lord’s presence^(GN) they made Saul king. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings^(GO) in the Lord’s presence, and Saul and all the men of Israel greatly rejoiced.

Samuel’s Final Public Speech

12 Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you.^{(GP) 2} Now you can see that the king is leading you. As for me, I’m old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have led you from my youth until today. ³ Here I am. Bring charges against me before the Lord and His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken?^(GQ) Whom have I wronged or mistreated? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to overlook something?^[bh][bi](GR) I will return it to you.”

⁴ “You haven’t wronged us, you haven’t mistreated us, and you haven’t taken anything from anyone’s hand,” they responded.

⁵ He said to them, “The Lord is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today that you haven’t found anything^(GS) in my hand.”^(GT)

“He is a witness,” they said.

⁶ Then Samuel said to the people, “The Lord, who appointed Moses and Aaron^(GU) and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt, is a witness.^{[bj] 7} Now present yourselves, so I may confront you before the Lord about all the righteous acts He has done for you and your ancestors.

⁸ “When Jacob went to Egypt,^[bk] your ancestors cried out to the Lord,^(GV) and He sent them Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place.^{(GW) 9} But they forgot the Lord their God, so He handed them over to Sisera^(GX) commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab.^(GY) These enemies fought against them. ¹⁰ Then they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, for we abandoned the Lord and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the power of our enemies,^(GZ) and we will serve You.’ ¹¹ So the Lord sent Jerubbaal,^(HA) Barak,^[bl](HB) Jephthah,^(HC) and Samuel.^(HD) He rescued you from the power of the enemies around you, and you lived securely. ¹² But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king rule over us’—even though the Lord your God is your king.

¹³ “Now here is the king you’ve chosen,^(HE) the one you requested.^(HF) Look, this is the king the Lord has placed over you. ¹⁴ If you fear the Lord,^(HG) worship and obey Him, and if you don’t rebel against the Lord’s command, then both you and the king who rules over you will follow the Lord your God. ¹⁵ However, if you disobey the Lord^(HH) and rebel against His command, the Lord’s hand will be against you^(HI) and against your ancestors.^[bm](HJ)

¹⁶ “Now, therefore, present yourselves and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.^{(HK) 17} Isn’t the wheat harvest today?^(HL) I will call on the Lord and He will send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you committed in the Lord’s sight by requesting a king for yourselves.”^{(HM) 18} Samuel called on the Lord, and on that day the Lord sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.^(HN)

¹⁹ They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants,^(HO) so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”^(HP)

²⁰ Samuel replied, “Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord.^(HQ) Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart. ²¹ Don’t turn away to follow worthless^[bn] things that can’t profit or deliver you; they are worthless.^{(HR) 22} The Lord will not abandon His people,^(HS) because of His great name and because He has determined to make you His own people.^(HT)

²³ “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.^(HU) I will teach you the good and right way. ²⁴ Above all, fear the Lord and worship Him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things He has done for you.^{(HV) 25} However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”^(HW)

Saul’s Failure

13 Saul was 30 years^[bo] old when he became king, and he reigned 42 years^[bp] over Israel.^{[bq] 2} He chose 3,000 men from Israel for himself: 2,000 were with Saul at Michmash^(HX) and in Bethel’s hill country, and 1,000 were with Jonathan in Gibeah^(HY) of Benjamin. He sent the rest of the troops away, each to his own tent.

³ Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison^[br](HZ) that was in Geba,^(IA) and the Philistines heard about it. So Saul blew the ram’s horn throughout the land^(IB) saying, “Let the Hebrews hear!”^{[bs](IC) 4} And all Israel heard the news, “Saul has attacked the Philistine garrison,^[bt] and Israel is now repulsive to the Philistines.” Then the troops were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

⁵ The Philistines also gathered to fight against Israel: 3,000^[bu] chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore.^(ID) They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.^[bv](IE)

⁶ The men of Israel saw that they were in trouble because the troops were in a difficult situation. They hid in caves, thickets, among rocks, and in holes and cisterns.^{(IF) 7} Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead.

Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. ⁸ He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set,^(IG) but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. ⁹ So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering.

¹⁰ Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, ¹¹ and Samuel asked, “What have you done?”

Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, ¹² I thought: The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor. So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”

¹³ Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish.^(IH) You have not kept the command which the Lord your God gave you.^(II) It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel,^{(IJ) 14} but now your reign will not endure.^(IK) The Lord has found a man loyal to Him,^[bw](IL) and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.” ¹⁵ Then Samuel went^[bx] from Gilgal to Gibeah in Benjamin. Saul registered the troops who were with him, about 600 men.

¹⁶ Saul, his son Jonathan, and the troops who were with them were staying in Geba^(IM) of Benjamin, and the Philistines were camped at Michmash. ¹⁷ Raiding parties^(IN) went out from the Philistine camp in three divisions. One division headed toward the Ophrah^(IO) road leading to the land of Shual. ¹⁸ The next division headed toward the Beth-horon^(IP) road, and the last division headed down the border road that looks out over the Valley of Zeboim^(IQ) toward the wilderness.

¹⁹ No blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel,^(IR) because the Philistines had said, “Otherwise, the Hebrews will make swords or spears.” ²⁰ So all the Israelites went to the Philistines to sharpen their plows, mattocks, axes, and sickles.^{[by] 21} The price was two-thirds of a shekel^[bz] for plows and mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for pitchforks and axes, and for putting a point on an oxgoad. ²² So on the day of battle not a sword or spear could be found in the hand of any of the troops who were with Saul^(IS) and Jonathan; only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons.

Jonathan’s Victory over the Philistines

²³ Now a Philistine garrison^(IT) took control of the pass at Michmash. 14 ¹ That same day Saul’s son Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” However, he did not tell his father.

² Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron^(IU) on the outskirts of Gibeah.^[ca](IV) The troops with him numbered about 600.^{(IW) 3} Ahijah,^(IX) who was wearing an ephod,^(IY) was also there. He was the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod^(IZ) son of Phinehas, son of Eli the Lord’s priest at Shiloh.^(JA) But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

⁴ There were sharp columns^[cb] of rock on both sides of the pass^(JB) that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine garrison. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh; ⁵ one stood to the north in front of Michmash and the other to the south in front of Geba. ⁶ Jonathan said to the attendant who carried his weapons, “Come on, let’s cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men.^(JC) Perhaps the Lord will help us. Nothing can keep the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”^(JD)

⁷ His armor-bearer responded, “Do what is in your heart. You choose. I’m right here with you whatever you decide.”

⁸ “All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. ⁹ If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. ¹⁰ But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us—that will be our sign.”

¹¹ They let themselves be seen by the Philistine garrison, and the Philistines said, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they’ve been hiding!” ¹² The men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor-bearer. “Come on up, and we’ll teach you a lesson!” they said.

“Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.”^{(JE) 13} Jonathan climbed up using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. Jonathan cut them down, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. ¹⁴ In that first assault Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about 20 men in a half-acre field.

A Defeat for the Philistines

¹⁵ Terror spread through the Philistine camp and the open fields to all the troops. Even the garrison and the raiding parties^(JF) were terrified. The earth shook,^(JG) and terror spread from God.^{[cc](JH) 16} When Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, they saw the panicking troops scattering in every direction. ¹⁷ So Saul said to the troops with him, “Call the roll and determine who has left us.” They called the roll and saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone.

¹⁸ Saul told Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God,” for it was with the Israelites^[cd] at that time. ¹⁹ While Saul spoke to the priest,^(JI) the panic in the Philistine camp increased in intensity. So Saul said to the priest, “Stop what you’re doing.”^[ce]

²⁰ Saul and all the troops with him assembled and marched to the battle, and there, the Philistines were fighting against each other in great confusion!^{(JJ) 21} There were Hebrews from the area who had gone earlier into the camp to join the Philistines, but even they joined the Israelites^(JK) who were with Saul and Jonathan. ²² When all the Israelite men who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim^(JL) heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle. ²³ So the Lord saved Israel that day.^(JM)

Saul’s Rash Oath

The battle extended beyond Beth-aven, ²⁴ and the men of Israel were worn out that day, for Saul had^[cf] placed the troops under an oath:^(JN) “The man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies is cursed.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

²⁵ Everyone^[cg] went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ When the troops entered the forest, they saw the flow of honey, but none of them ate any of it^[ch] because they feared the oath. ²⁷ However, Jonathan had not heard his father make the troops swear the oath. He reached out with the end of the staff he was carrying and dipped it into the honeycomb.^(JO) When he ate the honey,^[ci] he had renewed energy.^{(JP) 28} Then, one of the troops said, “Your father made the troops solemnly swear, ‘The man who eats food today is cursed,’ and the troops are exhausted.”

²⁹ Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land.^(JQ) Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey. ³⁰ How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

³¹ The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash^(JR) all the way to Aijalon.^(JS) Since the Israelites were completely exhausted, ³² they rushed to the plunder,^(JT) took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it. ³³ Some reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood still in it.”^(JU)

Saul said, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once.” ³⁴ He then said, “Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don’t sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.’” So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. ³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first time he had built an altar to the Lord.^(JV)

³⁶ Saul said, “Let’s go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don’t let even one remain!”

“Do whatever you want,”^[cj] the troops replied.

But the priest^(JW) said, “We must consult God here.”^(JX)

³⁷ So Saul inquired of God,^(JY) “Should I go after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.^(JZ)

³⁸ Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. ³⁹ As surely as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die!” Not one of the troops answered him.

⁴⁰ So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.”^[ck]

⁴¹ So Saul said to the Lord, “God of Israel, give us the right decision.”^[cl](KA) Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge.

⁴² Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected. ⁴³ Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.”^(KB)

Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey^(KC) with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die!”

⁴⁴ Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely^(KD) if you do not die, Jonathan!”

⁴⁵ But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the Lord lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground,^(KE) for he worked with God’s help today.”^(KF) So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die. ⁴⁶ Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Summary of Saul’s Kingship

⁴⁷ When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites,^(KG) Edom, the kings of Zobah,^(KH) and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc.^{[cm] 48} He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites,^(KI) and delivered Israel from the hand of those who plundered them.

⁴⁹ Saul’s sons^(KJ) were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: Merab,^(KK) his firstborn, and Michal,^(KL) the younger. ⁵⁰ The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul’s uncle Ner.^{(KM) 51} Saul’s father was Kish.^(KN) Abner’s father was Ner son of Abiel.

⁵² The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul’s days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him.^(KO)

Saul Rejected as King

15 Samuel told Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you as king over His people Israel.^(KP) Now, listen to the words of the Lord. ² This is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed^[cn] what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt.^{(KQ) 3} Now go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have.^(KR) Do not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”^(KS)

⁴ Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah. ⁵ Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi. ⁶ He warned the Kenites,^(KT) “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt,^(KU) go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I’ll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

⁷ Then Saul struck down the Amalekites^(KV) from Havilah^(KW) all the way to Shur,^(KX) which is next to Egypt. ⁸ He captured Agag^(KY) king of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.^{(KZ) 9} Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle, and choice animals,^[co] as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.

¹⁰ Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel, ¹¹ “I regret that I made Saul king,^(LA) for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.”^(LB) So Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all night.^(LC)

¹² Early in the morning Samuel got up to confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel^(LD) where he set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and went down to Gilgal.”^{(LE) 13} When Samuel came to him, Saul said, “May the Lord bless you.^(LF) I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

¹⁴ Samuel replied, “Then what is this sound of sheep^[cp] and cattle I hear?”

¹⁵ Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord your God,^(LG) but the rest we destroyed.”^(LH)

¹⁶ “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”

“Tell me,” he replied.

¹⁷ Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant,^(LI) have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel ¹⁸ and then sent you on a mission and said: ‘Go and completely destroy the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have annihilated them.’ ¹⁹ So why didn’t you obey the Lord? Why did you rush on the plunder^(LJ) and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?”

²⁰ “But I did obey the Lord!” Saul answered.^[cq] “I went on the mission the Lord gave me: I brought back Agag, king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. ²¹ The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder—the best of what was set apart for destruction—to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”^(LK)

²² Then Samuel said:

²⁴ Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned.^(LQ) I have transgressed the Lord’s command^(LR) and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them. ²⁵ Now therefore, please forgive my sin^(LS) and return with me so I can worship the Lord.”

²⁶ Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the Lord,^(LT) the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” ²⁷ When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore. ²⁸ Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today^(LU) and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.^{(LV) 29} Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel^(LW) does not lie or change His mind, for He is not man who changes his mind.”^(LX)

³⁰ Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor me^(LY) now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the Lord your God.”^{(LZ) 31} Then Samuel went back, following Saul, and Saul bowed down to the Lord.

³² Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of Amalek.”

Agag came to him trembling,^[cr] for he thought, “Certainly the bitterness of death has come.”^[cs][ct]

³³ Samuel declared:

Then he hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

³⁴ Samuel went to Ramah,^(MB) and Saul went up to his home in Gibeah^(MC) of Saul. ³⁵ Even to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul.^(MD) Samuel mourned for Saul,^(ME) and the Lord regretted He had made Saul king over Israel.