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撒母耳記上 22-24
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
撒母耳記上 22-24
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
掃羅殘殺祭司
22 大衛離開迦特，逃到亞杜蘭洞。他的兄弟和親屬知道後，都來到他那裡， 2 所有受壓迫的、負債的和心懷不滿的人都紛紛來投奔他。大衛就做了他們的首領，跟隨他的有四百多人。 3 後來，大衛到摩押的米斯巴去，請求摩押王收留他的父母，直到他明白上帝給他的安排為止。 4 大衛把父母留在了摩押王那裡。在大衛住堡壘期間，他的父母一直住在摩押。 5 迦得先知吩咐大衛離開堡壘回猶大去，大衛就動身前往哈列的樹林。
6 當時，掃羅正在基比亞的拉瑪，坐在垂絲柳下，手中拿著矛，臣僕侍立在左右。他得知大衛一行人的行蹤後， 7 就對左右的臣僕說：「便雅憫人啊，你們聽著！難道耶西的兒子會給你們田地和葡萄園嗎？他能立你們做千夫長和百夫長嗎？ 8 為什麼你們一同謀害我？我的兒子跟耶西的兒子立約，沒有人告訴我。就是今天我的兒子鼓動我的臣僕來謀害我，也沒有人關心我，告訴我。」 9 以東人多益正站在掃羅的臣僕中，他說：「我在挪伯親眼看見耶西的兒子到了亞希突的兒子亞希米勒那裡。 10 亞希米勒為他求問耶和華，給他食物，還把非利士人歌利亞的刀給了他。」
11 於是，掃羅派人把挪伯的祭司——亞希突的兒子亞希米勒及其家人都召來。他們都來到王面前。 12 掃羅說：「亞希突的兒子，聽著！」亞希米勒答道：「我主啊，我在這裡。」 13 掃羅說：「你為什麼和耶西的兒子一同謀害我？你為什麼把食物和刀給他，又為他求問耶和華，使他像今天這樣背叛我，伺機害我呢？」 14 亞希米勒答道：「王的臣僕中有誰像大衛那樣忠心呢？他是王的女婿，又是王的護衛長，在王室中受尊重。 15 那也不是我第一次為他求問耶和華，求王不要因這事加罪於我或我的家人，因為我根本不知道謀反的事。」 16 王卻說：「亞希米勒啊，你和你全家都必死無疑！」 17 他就命令身旁的護衛，說：「把這些耶和華的祭司殺掉，因為他們跟大衛同謀，明知道大衛在潛逃，卻不來告訴我。」掃羅的臣僕不願意下手殺害耶和華的祭司。 18 掃羅就對多益說：「你去把祭司殺掉！」以東人多益就殺了他們。那天，他下手殺了八十五個穿細麻布以弗得的祭司。 19 他又把祭司城挪伯的男女老少、牛羊和驢全部殺掉。
20 只有亞希米勒的一個兒子亞比亞他逃出去，投奔了大衛。 21 亞比亞他把掃羅屠殺耶和華祭司的事告訴了大衛， 22 大衛說：「那天我見以東人多益在那裡，就知道他一定會告訴掃羅。是我連累了你父親一家。 23 你就放心留在我這裡，不要害怕，誰想殺你，就是想殺我。你在我這裡很安全。」
大衛營救基伊拉
23 一天，大衛得知非利士人正在攻打基伊拉，搶掠麥場， 2 便求問耶和華：「我可以去攻打非利士人嗎？」耶和華答道：「你可以去攻打非利士人，營救基伊拉。」 3 大衛的部下卻對他說：「我們在猶大這裡尚且膽戰心驚，何況去基伊拉攻打非利士軍隊呢！」 4 大衛再求問耶和華，耶和華答道：「到基伊拉去吧，我一定把非利士人交在你手裡。」 5 於是，大衛和部下到基伊拉去攻打非利士人，大敗敵人，奪取了他們的牲畜，救出基伊拉人。
6 亞希米勒的兒子祭司亞比亞他到基伊拉投奔大衛時，把以弗得也帶了去。 7 掃羅得知大衛在基伊拉，就說：「這一次是上帝把他交在我手中了，因為他竟然自投網羅，進入有門有閂的城。」 8 掃羅召集全軍準備攻打基伊拉，圍困大衛和他的部下。 9 大衛知道了掃羅的計謀，便吩咐祭司亞比亞他把以弗得帶來， 10 然後說：「耶和華，以色列的上帝啊，僕人聽說掃羅要來毀滅基伊拉，因為我在這裡。 11 基伊拉的人會不會把我交給掃羅呢？掃羅是不是像我聽說的那樣要來這裡呢？耶和華，以色列的上帝啊，求你告訴我。」耶和華說：「掃羅一定會來。」 12 大衛又問耶和華：「基伊拉的人會不會把我和我的部下交給掃羅呢？」耶和華說：「他們一定會。」 13 於是，大衛率領自己的六百部下離開基伊拉，到處流浪。掃羅得知大衛已經離開基伊拉，就不去了。
14 大衛住在曠野的堡壘或西弗曠野的山區。掃羅天天搜捕大衛，但上帝沒有把大衛交在他的手中。 15 大衛在西弗曠野的何利沙得知掃羅要來殺他。 16 掃羅的兒子約拿單去何利沙見大衛，鼓勵大衛堅定地信靠上帝。 17 他對大衛說：「不要害怕，我父親害不了你。你將做以色列的王，我將做你的宰相。我父親也明白這一點。」 18 二人在耶和華面前立了約。之後，大衛仍留在何利沙，約拿單則回家去了。
19 西弗人去基比亞見掃羅，說：「大衛就躲在我們那裡，在曠野南面哈基拉山上何利沙的堡壘裡。 20 王啊，你隨時都可以下來，我們一定把他交在王的手裡。」 21 掃羅說：「願耶和華賜福給你們！因為你們體恤我。 22 我聽說他非常狡猾，你們再回去弄清楚他的行蹤，誰在那裡見過他， 23 查明他的藏身之處，回來如實告訴我，然後我會與你們同去。如果他在猶大境內，我要搜遍千家萬戶，找到他。」 24 於是，西弗人先回去了。當時大衛和他的部下在曠野南面的亞拉巴，即瑪雲曠野。 25 大衛聽說掃羅和手下正在搜尋他，便率領部下前往瑪雲曠野的磐石，住在那裡。掃羅得知後，便去瑪雲曠野追趕大衛。 26 掃羅在山這邊走，大衛和他的部下在山那邊走，急急忙忙地躲避掃羅。掃羅和他的手下四面包圍過來，眼看就要抓住他們了。 27 這時，掃羅的信使前來稟報，說非利士人前來犯境，請王速回。 28 掃羅只好放棄追趕大衛，回師迎戰非利士人。因此，那地方叫「脫險岩」。 29 後來，大衛從那裡轉移到隱·基底的堡壘裡。
大衛不殺掃羅
24 掃羅追擊非利士人回來，得知大衛在隱·基底的曠野， 2 就率領三千以色列精兵去野羊岩附近搜索大衛和他的部下。 3 他們來到路旁的一處羊圈，那裡有一個山洞，掃羅進去大解。大衛和他的部下就躲在洞的深處。 4 大衛的部下對大衛說：「耶和華說過要把你的仇敵交在你手中，任你處置，今天機會來了。」大衛就爬過去，偷偷割了掃羅外袍的一角。 5 事後，大衛心裡不安， 6 他對部下說：「我不該做這樣的事，我主是耶和華所膏立的王，我絕不出手傷害他，因為他是耶和華所膏立的。」 7 大衛用這些話攔住他的部下，不讓他們殺掃羅。
掃羅起來離開山洞走了， 8 大衛隨後也來到洞外，在後面喊掃羅：「我主我王啊！」掃羅回頭一看，見大衛俯伏在地，向他下拜。 9 大衛對掃羅說：「你為什麼聽信讒言，認為我要謀害你呢？ 10 你現在親眼看見了，剛才在山洞裡，耶和華把你交在我手中，有人叫我殺你，我卻不肯，因為你是耶和華所膏立的王，我不會動手傷害你。 11 我父請看，你的這塊袍子在我手中。我割下了你的袍角，沒有殺你，現在你應該明白我並未圖謀背叛你。我沒有對不起你，你卻要置我於死地。 12 願耶和華在你我之間判定是非，替我伸冤，我卻不會動手傷害你。 13 俗語說，『惡事出於惡人』，所以我不會動手傷害你。 14 以色列王出來要捉拿誰呢？一條死狗嗎？一隻跳蚤嗎？ 15 願耶和華做我們的審判官，在你我之間判定是非。願耶和華鑒察，為我伸冤，從你手中拯救我。」
16 大衛說完了，掃羅問道：「我兒大衛啊！是你嗎？」便放聲大哭起來。 17 掃羅對大衛說：「你比我公義，因為你善待我，我卻惡待你。 18 你今天使我明白你善待了我，耶和華把我交在你手中，你卻沒有下手殺我。 19 有誰會讓自己手中的仇敵平安離去呢？願耶和華因你今日善待我而賜福你。 20 我知道你必做王，以色列國必在你手中得到堅固。 21 現在請你憑耶和華向我起誓，你不會殺害我的子孫，滅絕我的後代。」 22 大衛便向掃羅起誓。之後，掃羅回家了，大衛和部下也回堡壘去了。
撒母耳记上 22-24
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
撒母耳记上 22-24
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
扫罗残杀祭司
22 大卫离开迦特，逃到亚杜兰洞。他的兄弟和亲属知道后，都来到他那里， 2 所有受压迫的、负债的和心怀不满的人都纷纷来投奔他。大卫就做了他们的首领，跟随他的有四百多人。 3 后来，大卫到摩押的米斯巴去，请求摩押王收留他的父母，直到他明白上帝给他的安排为止。 4 大卫把父母留在了摩押王那里。在大卫住堡垒期间，他的父母一直住在摩押。 5 迦得先知吩咐大卫离开堡垒回犹大去，大卫就动身前往哈列的树林。
6 当时，扫罗正在基比亚的拉玛，坐在垂丝柳下，手中拿着矛，臣仆侍立在左右。他得知大卫一行人的行踪后， 7 就对左右的臣仆说：“便雅悯人啊，你们听着！难道耶西的儿子会给你们田地和葡萄园吗？他能立你们做千夫长和百夫长吗？ 8 为什么你们一同谋害我？我的儿子跟耶西的儿子立约，没有人告诉我。就是今天我的儿子鼓动我的臣仆来谋害我，也没有人关心我，告诉我。” 9 以东人多益正站在扫罗的臣仆中，他说：“我在挪伯亲眼看见耶西的儿子到了亚希突的儿子亚希米勒那里。 10 亚希米勒为他求问耶和华，给他食物，还把非利士人歌利亚的刀给了他。”
11 于是，扫罗派人把挪伯的祭司——亚希突的儿子亚希米勒及其家人都召来。他们都来到王面前。 12 扫罗说：“亚希突的儿子，听着！”亚希米勒答道：“我主啊，我在这里。” 13 扫罗说：“你为什么和耶西的儿子一同谋害我？你为什么把食物和刀给他，又为他求问耶和华，使他像今天这样背叛我，伺机害我呢？” 14 亚希米勒答道：“王的臣仆中有谁像大卫那样忠心呢？他是王的女婿，又是王的护卫长，在王室中受尊重。 15 那也不是我第一次为他求问耶和华，求王不要因这事加罪于我或我的家人，因为我根本不知道谋反的事。” 16 王却说：“亚希米勒啊，你和你全家都必死无疑！” 17 他就命令身旁的护卫，说：“把这些耶和华的祭司杀掉，因为他们跟大卫同谋，明知道大卫在潜逃，却不来告诉我。”扫罗的臣仆不愿意下手杀害耶和华的祭司。 18 扫罗就对多益说：“你去把祭司杀掉！”以东人多益就杀了他们。那天，他下手杀了八十五个穿细麻布以弗得的祭司。 19 他又把祭司城挪伯的男女老少、牛羊和驴全部杀掉。
20 只有亚希米勒的一个儿子亚比亚他逃出去，投奔了大卫。 21 亚比亚他把扫罗屠杀耶和华祭司的事告诉了大卫， 22 大卫说：“那天我见以东人多益在那里，就知道他一定会告诉扫罗。是我连累了你父亲一家。 23 你就放心留在我这里，不要害怕，谁想杀你，就是想杀我。你在我这里很安全。”
大卫营救基伊拉
23 一天，大卫得知非利士人正在攻打基伊拉，抢掠麦场， 2 便求问耶和华：“我可以去攻打非利士人吗？”耶和华答道：“你可以去攻打非利士人，营救基伊拉。” 3 大卫的部下却对他说：“我们在犹大这里尚且胆战心惊，何况去基伊拉攻打非利士军队呢！” 4 大卫再求问耶和华，耶和华答道：“到基伊拉去吧，我一定把非利士人交在你手里。” 5 于是，大卫和部下到基伊拉去攻打非利士人，大败敌人，夺取了他们的牲畜，救出基伊拉人。
6 亚希米勒的儿子祭司亚比亚他到基伊拉投奔大卫时，把以弗得也带了去。 7 扫罗得知大卫在基伊拉，就说：“这一次是上帝把他交在我手中了，因为他竟然自投网罗，进入有门有闩的城。” 8 扫罗召集全军准备攻打基伊拉，围困大卫和他的部下。 9 大卫知道了扫罗的计谋，便吩咐祭司亚比亚他把以弗得带来， 10 然后说：“耶和华，以色列的上帝啊，仆人听说扫罗要来毁灭基伊拉，因为我在这里。 11 基伊拉的人会不会把我交给扫罗呢？扫罗是不是像我听说的那样要来这里呢？耶和华，以色列的上帝啊，求你告诉我。”耶和华说：“扫罗一定会来。” 12 大卫又问耶和华：“基伊拉的人会不会把我和我的部下交给扫罗呢？”耶和华说：“他们一定会。” 13 于是，大卫率领自己的六百部下离开基伊拉，到处流浪。扫罗得知大卫已经离开基伊拉，就不去了。
14 大卫住在旷野的堡垒或西弗旷野的山区。扫罗天天搜捕大卫，但上帝没有把大卫交在他的手中。 15 大卫在西弗旷野的何利沙得知扫罗要来杀他。 16 扫罗的儿子约拿单去何利沙见大卫，鼓励大卫坚定地信靠上帝。 17 他对大卫说：“不要害怕，我父亲害不了你。你将做以色列的王，我将做你的宰相。我父亲也明白这一点。” 18 二人在耶和华面前立了约。之后，大卫仍留在何利沙，约拿单则回家去了。
19 西弗人去基比亚见扫罗，说：“大卫就躲在我们那里，在旷野南面哈基拉山上何利沙的堡垒里。 20 王啊，你随时都可以下来，我们一定把他交在王的手里。” 21 扫罗说：“愿耶和华赐福给你们！因为你们体恤我。 22 我听说他非常狡猾，你们再回去弄清楚他的行踪，谁在那里见过他， 23 查明他的藏身之处，回来如实告诉我，然后我会与你们同去。如果他在犹大境内，我要搜遍千家万户，找到他。” 24 于是，西弗人先回去了。当时大卫和他的部下在旷野南面的亚拉巴，即玛云旷野。 25 大卫听说扫罗和手下正在搜寻他，便率领部下前往玛云旷野的磐石，住在那里。扫罗得知后，便去玛云旷野追赶大卫。 26 扫罗在山这边走，大卫和他的部下在山那边走，急急忙忙地躲避扫罗。扫罗和他的手下四面包围过来，眼看就要抓住他们了。 27 这时，扫罗的信使前来禀报，说非利士人前来犯境，请王速回。 28 扫罗只好放弃追赶大卫，回师迎战非利士人。因此，那地方叫“脱险岩”。 29 后来，大卫从那里转移到隐·基底的堡垒里。
大卫不杀扫罗
24 扫罗追击非利士人回来，得知大卫在隐·基底的旷野， 2 就率领三千以色列精兵去野羊岩附近搜索大卫和他的部下。 3 他们来到路旁的一处羊圈，那里有一个山洞，扫罗进去大解。大卫和他的部下就躲在洞的深处。 4 大卫的部下对大卫说：“耶和华说过要把你的仇敌交在你手中，任你处置，今天机会来了。”大卫就爬过去，偷偷割了扫罗外袍的一角。 5 事后，大卫心里不安， 6 他对部下说：“我不该做这样的事，我主是耶和华所膏立的王，我绝不出手伤害他，因为他是耶和华所膏立的。” 7 大卫用这些话拦住他的部下，不让他们杀扫罗。
扫罗起来离开山洞走了， 8 大卫随后也来到洞外，在后面喊扫罗：“我主我王啊！”扫罗回头一看，见大卫俯伏在地，向他下拜。 9 大卫对扫罗说：“你为什么听信谗言，认为我要谋害你呢？ 10 你现在亲眼看见了，刚才在山洞里，耶和华把你交在我手中，有人叫我杀你，我却不肯，因为你是耶和华所膏立的王，我不会动手伤害你。 11 我父请看，你的这块袍子在我手中。我割下了你的袍角，没有杀你，现在你应该明白我并未图谋背叛你。我没有对不起你，你却要置我于死地。 12 愿耶和华在你我之间判定是非，替我申冤，我却不会动手伤害你。 13 俗语说，‘恶事出于恶人’，所以我不会动手伤害你。 14 以色列王出来要捉拿谁呢？一条死狗吗？一只跳蚤吗？ 15 愿耶和华做我们的审判官，在你我之间判定是非。愿耶和华鉴察，为我申冤，从你手中拯救我。”
16 大卫说完了，扫罗问道：“我儿大卫啊！是你吗？”便放声大哭起来。 17 扫罗对大卫说：“你比我公义，因为你善待我，我却恶待你。 18 你今天使我明白你善待了我，耶和华把我交在你手中，你却没有下手杀我。 19 有谁会让自己手中的仇敌平安离去呢？愿耶和华因你今日善待我而赐福你。 20 我知道你必做王，以色列国必在你手中得到坚固。 21 现在请你凭耶和华向我起誓，你不会杀害我的子孙，灭绝我的后代。” 22 大卫便向扫罗起誓。之后，扫罗回家了，大卫和部下也回堡垒去了。
1 Samuel 22-24
New International Version
1 Samuel 22-24
New International Version
David at Adullam and Mizpah
22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave(A) of Adullam.(B) When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered(C) around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
3 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” 4 So he left them with the king of Moab,(D) and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
5 But the prophet Gad(E) said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.(F)
Saul Kills the Priests of Nob
6 Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated,(G) spear in hand, under the tamarisk(H) tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. 7 He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders(I) of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8 Is that why you have all conspired(J) against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant(K) with the son of Jesse.(L) None of you is concerned(M) about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”
9 But Doeg(N) the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub(O) at Nob.(P) 10 Ahimelek inquired(Q) of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions(R) and the sword(S) of Goliath the Philistine.”
11 Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered.
13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired(T) against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”
14 Ahimelek answered the king, “Who(U) of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.(V)”
17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”
But the king’s officials were unwilling(W) to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.
18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.”(X) So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.(Y) 19 He also put to the sword(Z) Nob,(AA) the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.
20 But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub,(AB) named Abiathar,(AC) escaped and fled to join David.(AD) 21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg(AE) the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you(AF) is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”
David Saves Keilah
23 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah(AG) and are looting the threshing floors,”(AH) 2 he inquired(AI) of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”
4 Once again David inquired(AJ) of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines(AK) into your hand.(AL)” 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 6 (Now Abiathar(AM) son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod(AN) down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)
Saul Pursues David
7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands,(AO) for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”(AP) 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar(AQ) the priest, “Bring the ephod.(AR)” 10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”
And the Lord said, “He will.”
12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender(AS) me and my men to Saul?”
And the Lord said, “They will.”
13 So David and his men,(AT) about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.
14 David stayed in the wilderness(AU) strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph.(AV) Day after day Saul searched(AW) for him, but God did not(AX) give David into his hands.
15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that[a] Saul had come out to take his life.(AY) 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength(AZ) in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king(BA) over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant(BB) before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
19 The Ziphites(BC) went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us(BD) in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah,(BE) south of Jeshimon? 20 Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving(BF) him into your hands.”
21 Saul replied, “The Lord bless(BG) you for your concern(BH) for me. 22 Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty. 23 Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track(BI) him down among all the clans of Judah.”
24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon,(BJ) in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.(BK) 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.
26 Saul(BL) was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” 28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.[b] 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds(BM) of En Gedi.[c](BN)
David Spares Saul’s Life
24 [d]After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.(BO)” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look(BP) for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave(BQ) was there, and Saul went in to relieve(BR) himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke(BS) of when he said[e] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’”(BT) Then David crept up unnoticed and cut(BU) off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken(BV) for having cut off a corner of his robe. 6 He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed,(BW) or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.(BX) 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen(BY) when men say, ‘David is bent on harming(BZ) you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared(CA) you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut(CB) off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty(CC) of wrongdoing(CD) or rebellion. I have not wronged(CE) you, but you are hunting(CF) me down to take my life.(CG) 12 May the Lord judge(CH) between you and me. And may the Lord avenge(CI) the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,(CJ)’ so my hand will not touch you.
14 “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog?(CK) A flea?(CL) 15 May the Lord be our judge(CM) and decide(CN) between us. May he consider my cause and uphold(CO) it; may he vindicate(CP) me by delivering(CQ) me from your hand.”
16 When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice,(CR) David my son?” And he wept aloud. 17 “You are more righteous than I,”(CS) he said. “You have treated me well,(CT) but I have treated you badly.(CU) 18 You have just now told me about the good you did to me; the Lord delivered(CV) me into your hands, but you did not kill me. 19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward(CW) you well for the way you treated me today. 20 I know that you will surely be king(CX) and that the kingdom(CY) of Israel will be established in your hands. 21 Now swear(CZ) to me by the Lord that you will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s family.(DA)”
22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.(DB)
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 23:15 Or he was afraid because
- 1 Samuel 23:28 Sela Hammahlekoth means rock of parting.
- 1 Samuel 23:29 In Hebrew texts this verse (23:29) is numbered 24:1.
- 1 Samuel 24:1 In Hebrew texts 24:1-22 is numbered 24:2-23.
- 1 Samuel 24:4 Or “Today the Lord is saying
1 Samuel 22-24
King James Version
1 Samuel 22-24
King James Version
22 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
4 And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
5 And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
6 When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
8 That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
10 And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
12 And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
13 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
16 And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.
17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.
18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
19 And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
21 And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests.
22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.
23 Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
23 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
2 Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
3 And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
4 Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
10 Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.
12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up.
13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
18 And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me.
22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
24 And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.
11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
15 The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.
16 And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
18 And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the Lord had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.
19 For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.
20 And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
21 Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.
22 And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
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