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1 Samuel 23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
1 Samuel 23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 23
Keilah Liberated. 1 David was informed that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and plundering the threshing floors.(A) 2 So he consulted the Lord, asking, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered, Go, attack them, and free Keilah.(B) 3 But David’s men said to him: “Even in Judah we have reason to fear. How much more so if we go to Keilah against the forces of the Philistines!” 4 Again David consulted the Lord, who answered: Go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your power.(C) 5 So David went with his men to Keilah and fought against the Philistines. He drove off their cattle and inflicted a severe defeat on them, and freed the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, who had fled to David, went down with David to Keilah, taking the ephod with him.(D)
Flight from Keilah. 7 When Saul was told that David had entered Keilah, he thought: “God has put him in my hand, for he has boxed himself in by entering a city with gates and bars.” 8 Saul then called all the army to war, in order to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men. 9 When David found out that Saul was planning to harm him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”(E) 10 “Lord God of Israel,” David prayed, “your servant has heard that Saul plans to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will they hand me over? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, tell your servant.” The Lord answered: He will come down. 12 David then asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord answered: They will deliver you. 13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and wandered from place to place. When Saul was informed that David had fled from Keilah, he did not go forth.
David and Jonathan in Horesh. 14 David now lived in the strongholds in the wilderness, or in the barren hill country near Ziph. Though Saul sought him continually, the Lord did not deliver David into his hand. 15 While David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh he was afraid that Saul had come out to seek his life. 16 Then Saul’s son, Jonathan, came down to David at Horesh and encouraged him in the Lord.(F) 17 He said to him: “Have no fear, my father Saul shall not lay a hand to you. You shall be king of Israel[a] and I shall be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”(G) 18 The two of them made a covenant before the Lord in Horesh, where David remained, while Jonathan returned to his home.(H)
Treachery of the Ziphites. 19 Some of the Ziphites went up to Saul in Gibeah and said, “David is hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon.(I) 20 Therefore, whenever the king wishes to come down, let him do so. It will be our task to deliver him into the king’s hand.” 21 Saul replied: “The Lord bless you for your compassion toward me.(J) 22 Go now and make sure once more! Take note of the place where he sets foot for I am told that he is very cunning. 23 Look around and learn in which of all the various hiding places he is holding out. Then come back to me with reliable information, and I will go with you. If he is in the region, I will track him down out of all the families of Judah.” 24 So they went off to Ziph ahead of Saul. At this time David and his men were in the wilderness below Maon, in the Arabah south of the wasteland.(K)
Escape from Saul. 25 When Saul and his men came looking for him, David got word of it and went down to the gorge in the wilderness below Maon. Saul heard of this and pursued David into the wilderness below Maon. 26 As Saul moved along one side of the gorge, David and his men took to the other. David was anxious to escape Saul, while Saul and his men were trying to outflank David and his men in order to capture them. 27 Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have invaded the land.” 28 Saul interrupted his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. This is how that place came to be called the Rock of Divisions.
Footnotes
- 23:17 King of Israel: to emphasize the inevitability of the Lord’s plan, the narrator frames Jonathan’s statement with two accounts of David’s mercy toward Saul.
1 Samuel 23
New International Version
1 Samuel 23
New International Version
David Saves Keilah
23 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah(A) and are looting the threshing floors,”(B) 2 he inquired(C) 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(D) of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines(E) into your hand.(F)” 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(G) son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod(H) 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,(I) for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”(J) 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(K) the priest, “Bring the ephod.(L)” 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(M) me and my men to Saul?”
And the Lord said, “They will.”
13 So David and his men,(N) 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(O) strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph.(P) Day after day Saul searched(Q) for him, but God did not(R) 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.(S) 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength(T) in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king(U) over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant(V) before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
19 The Ziphites(W) went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us(X) in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah,(Y) south of Jeshimon? 20 Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving(Z) him into your hands.”
21 Saul replied, “The Lord bless(AA) you for your concern(AB) 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(AC) 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,(AD) in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.(AE) 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(AF) 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(AG) of En Gedi.[c](AH)
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 23
King James Version
1 Samuel 23
King James Version
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.
1 Samuelsboken 23
nuBibeln (Swedish Contemporary Bible)
1 Samuelsboken 23
nuBibeln (Swedish Contemporary Bible)
David räddar staden Keila
23 En dag fick David reda på att filistéerna hade anfallit Keila och nu var i färd med att plundra tröskplatserna. 2 Då frågade David Herren: ”Ska jag anfalla dem?” Herren svarade: ”Ja, gå till attack mot filistéerna och rädda Keila!” 3 Men Davids män hade invändningar: ”Vi lever i fruktan redan här i Juda. Ska vi nu bli tvungna att gå till Keila för att strida mot hela den filistéiska armén?”
4 David frågade då Herren än en gång, men Herren svarade på samma sätt: ”Gå ner till Keila, så ska jag överlämna filistéerna åt dig!” 5 Då gick David och hans män ner till Keila och stred mot filistéerna. De förde bort filistéernas boskap och räddade Keilas befolkning. 6 Evjatar, Achimeleks son som hade flytt till David följde också med till Keila och han hade efoden[a] med sig.
7 Men Saul fick reda på att David var i Keila och sa: ”Gud har överlämnat David åt mig eftersom han har stängt in sig i en stad med starka portar!” 8 Sedan mobiliserade Saul hela sin armé för att belägra Keila och omringa David och hans män.
9 När David fick reda på Sauls plan mot honom, bad han prästen Evjatar att ta fram efoden. 10 ”Herre Israels Gud”, sa David. ”Jag har hört att Saul tänker komma och förgöra Keila för min skull. 11 Kommer Keilas män att överlämna mig åt honom? Och tänker verkligen Saul komma hit som jag har hört? Herre Israels Gud, svara mig, din tjänare!” Herren svarade: ”Ja, han kommer.” 12 ”Och kommer Keilas män att utlämna mig till Saul?” frågade David. ”Ja, de kommer att utlämna dig”, svarade Herren.
David gömmer sig ute i vildmarken
13 David och hans cirka 600 man lämnade därför Keila och vandrade från plats till plats. Men när Saul fick veta att David hade flytt från Keila, brydde han sig inte om att dra ut. 14 David bodde sedan i bergfästena i bergslandet Sif. Saul sökte efter honom ständigt, men Gud lät honom inte hitta David.
15 När David var i Horsha i Sifs öken, fick han höra att Saul var på väg för att döda honom. 16 Men Jonatan, Sauls son, gick för att leta reda på David och när han fann honom, uppmuntrade han David att lita på Gud. 17 ”Var inte rädd”, sa Jonatan. ”Min far kommer aldrig att få tag i dig! Du ska bli Israels kung och jag kommer att bli din närmaste man. Det vet min far Saul också.” 18 De slöt sedan ett förbund med varandra inför Herren. Och efter det återvände Jonatan hem, medan David stannade kvar i Horsha.
19 Men några av Sifs män gick till Saul i Giva och sa: ”David gömmer sig bland bergfästena vid Horsha på Hakilahöjden söder om Jeshimon. 20 Kom ner dit, konung, så ska vi se till att gripa honom åt dig!”
21 ”Herren ska välsigna er för er omtanke om mig”, sa Saul. 22 ”Gå genast och gör er beredda! Ta reda på var han rör sig och visar sig, för jag vet hur listig han är. 23 Kartlägg alla hans gömställen och kom sedan tillbaka med säkra uppgifter. Då ska jag följa med er. Om han bara finns i området ska jag hitta honom, om jag så ska söka överallt i hela Juda!” 24 Sedan återvände Sifs män hem före Saul.
David och hans män befann sig i öknen Maon, i ödemarken söder om Jeshimon. 25 Saul och hans män sökte efter David. Men David fick reda på det och drog sig till klippan i Maons öken. Saul fick veta det och förföljde dem in i öknen. 26 Saul gick på ena sidan av berget och David med sina män på den andra. David skyndade sig för att komma undan Saul. Saul och hans män kom allt närmare och försökte omringa och gripa David och hans män.
27 Då kom en budbärare till Saul och sa: ”Skynda dig tillbaka! Filistéerna har gått till anfall mot landet igen!” 28 Därför gav han upp förföljandet av David och gick för att möta filistéerna. Och ända sedan dess har den platsen kallats Skiljeklippan.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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nuBibeln (Swedish Contemporary Bible) (NUB)
Swedish Contemporary Bible (nuBibeln) Copyright © 2015 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.