The Death of Saul and His Sons

10 The Philistines(A) fought against Israel, and Israel’s men fled from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers spotted him and severely wounded him. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me.” But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died. So Saul and his three sons died—his whole house died together.

When all the men of Israel in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. So the Philistines came and settled in them.

The next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa. They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news to their idols and the people. 10 Then they put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung his skull in the temple of Dagon.(B)

11 When all Jabesh-gilead heard of everything the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their brave men set out and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak[a] in Jabesh(C) and fasted seven days.

13 Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep the Lord’s word.(D) He even consulted a medium for guidance,(E) 14 but he did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.(F)

David’s Anointing as King

11 All Israel(G) came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.[b] Even previously when Saul was king, you were leading Israel out to battle and bringing us back. The Lord your God also said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over my people Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the Lord’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the Lord’s word through Samuel.(H)

David’s Capture of Jerusalem

David(I) and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there.(J) The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become chief commander.” Joab(K) son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.

Then David took up residence in the stronghold; therefore, it was called the city of David. He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city. David steadily grew more powerful,(L) and the Lord of Armies was with him.

Exploits of David’s Warriors

10 The following were the chiefs of David’s warriors who, together with all Israel, strongly supported him in his reign to make him king according to the Lord’s word about Israel.(M) 11 This(N) is the list of David’s warriors:

Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief(O) of the Thirty;[c] he wielded his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.

12 After him, Eleazar son of Dodo(P) the Ahohite was one of the three warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. There was a portion of a field full of barley, where the troops had fled from the Philistines.(Q) 14 But Eleazar and David[d] took their stand in the middle of the field and defended it. They killed the Philistines, and the Lord gave them a great victory.

15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam,(R) while the Philistine army was encamped in Rephaim Valley.(S) 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(T) and a Philistine garrison(U) was at Bethlehem. 17 David was extremely thirsty[e] and said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 David said, “I would never do such a thing in the presence of my God! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” For they brought it at the risk of their lives. So he would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

20 Abishai,(V) Joab’s brother, was the leader of the Three.[f] He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three. 21 He was more honored than the Three and became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada(W) was the son of a brave man[g] from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sons of Ariel of Moab,[h] and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 23 He also killed an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall.[i] Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand like a weaver’s beam,(X) Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear. 24 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors. 25 He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The best soldiers(Y) were

Joab’s brother Asahel,(Z)

Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

Abiezer the Anathothite,

29 Sibbecai the Hushathite,

Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite,

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites,

Benaiah the Pirathonite,

32 Hurai from the wadis of Gaash,

Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 the sons of[j](AA) Hashem the Gizonite,

Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35 Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite,

Eliphal son of Ur,

36 Hepher the Mecherathite,

Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite,

Naarai son of Ezbai,

38 Joel the brother of Nathan,

Mibhar son of Hagri,

39 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah,

40 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah the Hethite,

Zabad son of Ahlai,

42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,

43 Hanan son of Maacah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite,

Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45 Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite,

46 Eliel the Mahavite,

Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam,

Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 10:12 Or terebinth, or large tree
  2. 11:1 Lit your bone and your flesh
  3. 11:11 Alt Hb tradition reads Three
  4. 11:14 Lit But they
  5. 11:17 Lit And David craved
  6. 11:20 Syr reads Thirty
  7. 11:22 Or was a valiant man
  8. 11:22 Or He killed two Moabite warriors
  9. 11:23 Lit who measured five cubits
  10. 11:34 LXX omits the sons of; 2Sm 23:32

Saul Takes His Life(A)

10 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua. The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him.

Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and abuse me.”

But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died. So Saul and his three sons died, and all his house died together.

When all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news among their idols and their people. 10 They put his armor in the temple of their gods and hung up his head in the temple of Dagon.(B)

11 When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead(C) heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

13 Saul died(D) because he was unfaithful(E) to the Lord; he did not keep(F) the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium(G) for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned(H) the kingdom(I) over to David son of Jesse.

David Becomes King Over Israel(J)

11 All Israel(K) came together to David at Hebron(L) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(M) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd(N) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(O)’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(P) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem(Q)

David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites(R) who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab(S) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terraces[a](T) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful,(U) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

David’s Mighty Warriors(V)

10 These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel,(W) gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised(X) 11 this is the list of David’s mighty warriors:(Y)

Jashobeam,[b] a Hakmonite, was chief of the officers[c]; he raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.

12 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors. 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At a place where there was a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. 14 But they took their stand in the middle of the field. They defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.(Z)

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley(AA) of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold,(AB) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured(AC) it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.

20 Abishai(AD) the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 21 He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.

22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(AE) performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.(AF) 23 And he struck down an Egyptian who was five cubits[d] tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s rod(AG) in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 24 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 25 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

26 The mighty warriors were:

Asahel(AH) the brother of Joab,

Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,

27 Shammoth(AI) the Harorite,

Helez the Pelonite,

28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,

Abiezer(AJ) from Anathoth,

29 Sibbekai(AK) the Hushathite,

Ilai the Ahohite,

30 Maharai the Netophathite,

Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite,

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin,

Benaiah(AL) the Pirathonite,(AM)

32 Hurai from the ravines of Gaash,

Abiel the Arbathite,

33 Azmaveth the Baharumite,

Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite,

Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite,

35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite,

Eliphal son of Ur,

36 Hepher the Mekerathite,

Ahijah the Pelonite,

37 Hezro the Carmelite,

Naarai son of Ezbai,

38 Joel the brother of Nathan,

Mibhar son of Hagri,

39 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,

40 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

41 Uriah(AN) the Hittite,

Zabad(AO) son of Ahlai,

42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, who was chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him,

43 Hanan son of Maakah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite,

44 Uzzia the Ashterathite,(AP)

Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

45 Jediael son of Shimri,

his brother Joha the Tizite,

46 Eliel the Mahavite,

Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam,

Ithmah the Moabite,

47 Eliel, Obed and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or the Millo
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Possibly a variant of Jashob-Baal
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:11 Or Thirty; some Septuagint manuscripts Three (see also 2 Samuel 23:8)
  4. 1 Chronicles 11:23 That is, about 7 feet 6 inches or about 2.3 meters

The Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your heart be troubled.(A) Believe[a] in God; (B) believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going (C) to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again(D) and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.(E) You know the way to where I am going.”[b](F)

“Lord,” Thomas(G) said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am(H) the way,(I) the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know[c] my Father.(J) From now on you do know him(K) and have seen him.”

Jesus Reveals the Father

“Lord,” said Philip,(L) “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father.(M) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?(N) The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own.(O) The Father who lives in me does his works.(P) 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe[d] because of the works themselves.(Q)

Praying in Jesus’s Name

12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me(R) will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these,(S) because I am going to the Father.(T) 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified(U) in the Son.(V) 14 If you ask me[e] anything in my name,(W) I will do it.[f](X)

Another Counselor Promised

15 “If you love me, you will keep[g] my commands.(Y) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor[h](Z) to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit(AA) of truth.(AB) The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be[i] in you.(AC)

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me,(AD) but you will see me.(AE) Because I live, you will live(AF) too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father,(AG) you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.(AH) And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father.(AI) I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

22 Judas(AJ) (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” (AK)

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.(AL) 24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.(AM)

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,(AN) whom the Father will send(AO) in my name, will teach you all things(AP) and remind you of everything I have told you.(AQ)

Jesus’s Gift of Peace

27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.(AR) 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away(AS) and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father,(AT) because the Father is greater than I.(AU) 29 I have told you now before it happens(AV) so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world(AW) is coming. He has no power over me.[j](AX) 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.

“Get up; let’s leave this place.

Footnotes

  1. 14:1 Or You believe
  2. 14:4 Other mss read this verse: And you know where I am going, and you know the way
  3. 14:7 Other mss read If you had known me, you would have known
  4. 14:11 Other mss read believe me
  5. 14:14 Other mss omit me
  6. 14:14 Other mss omit all of v. 14
  7. 14:15 Other mss read “If you love me, keep (as a command)
  8. 14:16 Or advocate, or comforter, also in v. 26
  9. 14:17 Other mss read and is
  10. 14:30 Lit He has nothing in me

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.(A) You believe(B) in God[a];(C) believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there(D) to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back(E) and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.(F) You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

Thomas(G) said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am(H) the way(I) and the truth(J) and the life.(K) No one comes to the Father except through me.(L) If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well.(M) From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip(N) said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.(O) How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?(P) The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.(Q) Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.(R) 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes(S) in me will do the works I have been doing,(T) and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask(U) in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.(V) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate(W) to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.(X) The world cannot accept him,(Y) because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans;(Z) I will come to you.(AA) 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.(AB) Because I live, you also will live.(AC) 20 On that day(AD) you will realize that I am in my Father,(AE) and you are in me, and I am in you.(AF) 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.(AG) The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,(AH) and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas(AI) (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”(AJ)

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.(AK) My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.(AL) 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.(AM)

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate,(AN) the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,(AO) will teach you all things(AP) and will remind you of everything I have said to you.(AQ) 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.(AR) I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled(AS) and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’(AT) If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father,(AU) for the Father is greater than I.(AV) 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.(AW) 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world(AX) is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.(AY)

“Come now; let us leave.

Footnotes

  1. John 14:1 Or Believe in God
  2. John 14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know
  3. John 14:17 Some early manuscripts and is

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)

Psalm 73

God’s Ways Vindicated

A psalm of Asaph.(A)

God is indeed good to Israel,
to the pure in heart.(B)
But as for me, my feet almost slipped;
my steps nearly went astray.(C)
For I envied the arrogant;
I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(D)

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BOOK III

Psalms 73–89

Psalm 73

A psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.(A)

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;(B)
    I had nearly lost my foothold.(C)
For I envied(D) the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.(E)

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15 A gentle answer turns away anger,(A)
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.(B)

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)

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15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(D)

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