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Saul Tries to Kill David

19 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David, but Jonathan ·liked [delighted in] David very much. So he warned David, “My father Saul is ·looking for a chance [L seeking] to kill you. ·Watch out [Be on guard] in the morning. Hide in a secret place. I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are hiding, and I’ll talk to him about you. Then I’ll let you know what I find out.”

When Jonathan talked to Saul his father, he ·said good things about [spoke well of] David. Jonathan said, “The king should ·do no wrong to [not harm/sin against] your servant David since he has ·done nothing wrong to [not harmed/sinned against] you. What he has done has ·helped [benefited; served] you greatly. ·David risked his life [L He took his life in his hand] when he ·killed Goliath the Philistine [L struck the Philistine], and the Lord won a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and ·were happy [rejoiced]. Why would you ·do wrong against David? He’s innocent [L … sin against innocent blood?]. There’s no reason to kill him!”

Saul listened to Jonathan and then ·made this promise [vowed; swore]: “As surely as the Lord lives, David won’t be put to death.”

·So [Afterward] Jonathan called to David and told him everything that had been said. He brought David to Saul, and David ·was with [served] Saul as before.

When war broke out again, David went out to ·fight [L strike] the Philistines. He ·defeated them [attacked them with great force], and they ran away from him.

But once again an ·evil [tormenting] spirit from the Lord ·rushed upon [overwhelmed; seized; possessed] Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. David was playing the ·harp [lyre]. 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David ·jumped out of the way [slipped away; eluded him]. So Saul’s spear ·went into [stuck in] the wall, and David ·ran away [escaped] that night.

11 Saul sent ·messengers [agents; soldiers] to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, saying, “Tonight you must ·run for [save] your life. If you don’t, you will be dead in the morning.” 12 So she let David down out of a window, and he ·ran away [fled] and escaped. 13 Then Michal took an ·idol [household image; L teraphim; C probably household gods; Gen. 31:19], laid it on the bed, covered it with ·clothes [blankets], and put goats’ hair at its head.

14 Saul sent ·messengers [agents; soldiers] to take David prisoner, but Michal said, “He is sick.”

15 Saul sent ·them [L messengers; agents; soldiers] back to see David, saying, “Bring him to me on his bed so I can kill him.”

16 When the ·messengers [agents; soldiers] entered David’s house, they found just an ·idol [household image; 19:13] on the bed with goats’ hair on its head.

17 Saul said to Michal, “Why did ·you trick [deceive; betray] me this way? You let my enemy go so he could ·run away [escape]!”

Michal answered Saul, “David told me ·if I did not help him escape, he would kill me [L “Let me go. Why should I kill you?].”

18 After David had [L fled and] escaped from Saul, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him everything Saul had done to him. Then David and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. 19 Saul heard that David was in Naioth at Ramah. 20 So he sent ·messengers [agents; soldiers] to capture him. But they met a group of prophets ·prophesying [in a frenzy], with Samuel standing there ·leading [in charge of] them. So the Spirit of God ·entered [came upon] Saul’s men, and they also ·prophesied [fell into a frenzy].

21 When Saul heard the news, he sent more ·messengers [agents; soldiers], but they also ·prophesied [fell into a frenzy]. Then he sent ·messengers [agents; soldiers] a third time, but they also ·prophesied [fell into a frenzy]. 22 Finally, Saul himself went to Ramah, to the [large; great] well at Secu. He asked, “Where are Samuel and David?”

The people answered, “In Naioth at Ramah.”

23 When Saul went to Naioth at Ramah, the Spirit of God also ·rushed upon [overwhelmed; seized; possessed] him. And he walked on, ·prophesying [in a frenzy,] until he came to Naioth at Ramah. 24 He ·took [tore; stripped] off his ·robes [clothes] and prophesied in front of Samuel. He lay ·that way [L naked] all day and all night. That is why people ask, “Is ·even [also] Saul one of the prophets?”

Issachar’s Children

Issachar had four sons: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron.

Tola’s sons were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel, and they were leaders of their ·families [clans]. In the ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] of Tola’s descendants, twenty-two thousand six hundred men were listed as ·fighting men [warriors; L mighty men of valor] during the time ·David was king [L of David].

Uzzi’s son was Izrahiah.

Izrahiah’s sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah. All five of them were ·leaders [chiefs]. Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] shows they had thirty-six thousand ·men [troops] ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army, because they had many wives and children.

The ·records [genealogy] of the ·family groups [clans] of Issachar show there were eighty-seven thousand ·fighting men [warriors; L mighty men of valor].

Benjamin’s Children

Benjamin had three sons: Bela, Beker, and Jediael.

Bela had five sons: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, and they were leaders of their ·families [clans]. Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] shows they had twenty-two thousand thirty-four ·fighting men [warriors; L mighty men of valor].

Beker’s sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. They all were Beker’s sons. Their ·family [clan] ·history [genealogy] listed the ·family [clan] ·leaders [chiefs] and twenty thousand two hundred ·fighting men [warriors; L mighty men of valor].

10 Jediael’s son was Bilhan.

Bilhan’s sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. 11 All these sons of Jediael were leaders of their ·families [clans]. They had seventeen thousand two hundred ·fighting men [warriors; L mighty men of valor] ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army.

12 The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants of Ir, and the Hushites were descendants of ·Aher [Ahiram; Num. 26:38].

Naphtali’s Children

13 Naphtali’s sons were ·Jahziel [or Jahzeel; Gen. 46:24], Guni, Jezer, and ·Shillem [Shallum; Gen. 46:24, Num. 26:49]. They were Bilhah’s ·grandsons [descendants; C Bilhah was Jacob’s concubine].

Manasseh’s Children

14 These are Manasseh’s descendants. Manasseh had an Aramean ·slave woman [concubine; C a secondary wife], who ·was the mother of [L gave birth to] Asriel and Makir. Makir was Gilead’s father. 15 Makir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites. His sister was named Maacah. His second son was named Zelophehad, and he had only daughters. 16 Makir’s wife Maacah ·had [L gave birth to] a son whom she named Peresh. Peresh’s brother was named Sheresh. Sheresh’s sons were Ulam and Rakem.

17 Ulam’s son was Bedan.

These were the sons of Gilead, who was the son of Makir. Makir was Manasseh’s son. 18 Makir’s sister Hammoleketh gave birth to Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.

19 The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.

Ephraim’s Children

20 These are the names of Ephraim’s descendants. Ephraim’s son was Shuthelah. Shuthelah’s son was Bered. Bered’s son was Tahath. Tahath’s son was Eleadah. Eleadah’s son was Tahath. 21 Tahath’s son was Zabad. Zabad’s son was Shuthelah.

Ezer and Elead went to Gath to steal ·cows and sheep [cattle; livestock; C the term “cattle” can refer to various domesticated animals] and were killed by some men who grew up in that city. 22 Their father Ephraim ·cried [mourned] for them many days, and his ·family [relatives; brothers] came to ·comfort [console] him. 23 Then he ·had sexual relations with [slept with; L went in to] his wife again. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son whom Ephraim named Beriah [C sounds like “trouble”] because of the ·trouble [disaster; tragedy] that had ·happened to his family [come upon his house]. 24 Ephraim’s daughter was Sheerah. She built Lower Beth Horon, Upper Beth Horon, and Uzzen Sheerah.

25 Rephah was Ephraim’s son. Resheph was Rephah’s son. Telah was Resheph’s son. Tahan was Telah’s son. 26 Ladan was Tahan’s son. Ammihud was Ladan’s son. Elishama was Ammihud’s son. 27 Nun was Elishama’s son, and Joshua was the son of ·Nun [or Non; Ex. 33:11].

28 Ephraim’s descendants lived in these lands and towns: Bethel and the villages near it, Naaran on the east, Gezer and the villages near it on the west, and Shechem and the villages near it all the way to Ayyah and its villages. 29 Along the borders of Manasseh’s land were the towns of Beth Shan, Taanach, Megiddo, and Dor, and the villages near them. The descendants of Joseph son of Israel [C Jacob] lived in these towns.

Asher’s Children

30 Asher’s sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Their sister was Serah.

31 Beriah’s sons were Heber and Malkiel. Malkiel was Birzaith’s father.

32 Heber was the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.

33 Japhlet’s sons were Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. They were Japhlet’s children.

34 Japhlet’s brother was ·Shemer [or Shomer; v. 32]. Shemer’s sons were Rohgah, ·Hubbah [or Jachbah; C the text says Jachbah; the marginal reading has Hubbah], and Aram.

35 Shemer’s brother was ·Helem [or Hotham; v. 32]. Helem’s sons were Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.

36 Zophah’s sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran [C perhaps another name for Jether; v. 38], and Beera.

38 Jether’s sons were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara.

39 Ulla’s sons were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.

40 All these men were descendants of Asher and leaders of their ·families [clans]. They were ·powerful warriors [L mighty men of valor] and ·outstanding leaders [chief of princes]. Their ·family history [genealogical record] lists that they had twenty-six thousand soldiers ready to ·serve in [go to war with] the army.

A Prayer for Protection

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A miktam [C perhaps “inscription”] of David when Saul sent men to ·watch David’s house [L the house] to kill him [1 Sam. 19:11–17].

59 God, ·save [protect] me from my enemies.
    ·Protect me [Give me refuge] from those who ·come [rise] against me.
·Save [Protect] me from those who do evil
    and ·save me from [give me victory over] ·murderers [the bloodthirsty].

Look, they are waiting to ambush ·me [my life; Prov. 1:11].
    ·Cruel [Defiant; Strong] people attack me,
    but I have not sinned or ·done wrong [transgressed], Lord.
I have done nothing wrong, but they ·are ready to attack me [L run and get ready].
    Wake up to ·help [meet] me, and look.
You are the Lord God ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts], the God of Israel.
    ·Arise [L Awake] and ·punish [visit] ·those people [L all the nations].
Do not give those traitors any ·mercy [grace]. ·Selah [Interlude]

They come back at ·night [evening].
    Like dogs they ·growl [make a commotion] and ·roam around [surround] the city.
Notice what ·comes [bubbles up] from their mouths.
    ·Insults [L Swords] come from their lips,
    because they say, “Who’s listening?”
But, Lord, you laugh at them [2:4];
    you ·make fun of [ridicule] all ·of them [L the nations].

God, my strength, I ·am looking to [keep watch for] you,
    because God is my ·defender [refuge].
10 My God ·loves [is loyal to] me, and he goes in front of me.
    He will help me ·defeat [L look on] my enemies.
11 Lord, our ·protector [L shield], do not kill them, or my people will forget.
    With your power ·scatter them [make them wander] and ·defeat them [L bring them down].
12 They sin by what they say;
    they sin with their ·words [L lips].
They curse and tell lies,
    so let their pride ·trap [capture] them.
13 ·Destroy [Annihilate] them in your anger;
    ·destroy [annihilate] them ·completely [L so they will be no more]!
Then they will know
    that God rules over ·Israel [L Jacob]
and to the ends of the earth. ·Selah [Interlude]

14 They come back at ·night [evening].
    Like dogs they ·growl [make a commotion]
    and ·roam around [surround] the city.
15 They wander about looking for food,
    and they ·howl [grumble] if they ·do not find enough [are not satisfied].
16 But I will sing about your strength.
    In the morning I will sing about your ·love [loyalty].
You are my ·defender [refuge],
    my place of safety in ·times of trouble [L the day of distress].
17 God, my strength, I will sing ·praises [a psalm] to you.
    God, my ·defender [refuge], you are the God who ·loves [is loyal to] me.

The Temptation of Jesus(A)

Then the Spirit led Jesus [L up; out] into the ·desert [wilderness] to be tempted [or tested] by the devil. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights [C analogous to Israel’s forty years in the desert]. After this, he was ·very hungry [famished]. The ·devil came to Jesus to tempt him [L tempter/tester came to Jesus], saying, “If you are the Son of God, ·tell [command] these rocks to ·become bread [turn into loaves].”

Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person lives not on bread alone, but by ·everything God says [L every word that comes out of God’s mouth; Deut. 8:3].’”

Then the devil ·led [took] Jesus to the holy city [C Jerusalem] and put him on ·a high place [the highest point; the pinnacle] of the Temple. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, ·jump [L throw yourself] down, because it is written in the Scriptures:

‘He ·has put his angels in charge of you [or will order his angels to protect you; L will command his angel concerning you].
    They will ·catch you in [lift you up with] their hands
so that you will not hit your foot on a rock [Ps. 91:11–12].’”

Jesus answered him, “It also says in the Scriptures, ‘Do not test the Lord your God [Deut. 6:16].’”

·Then [Again] the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and all their ·splendor [glory]. The devil said, “If you will ·bow [fall] down and worship me, I will give you all these things.”

10 Jesus said to him, “·Go away from me [Get out of here; Be gone], Satan! [L For] It is written in the Scriptures, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him [Deut. 6:13].’”

11 So the devil left Jesus, and angels came and ·took care of [served; ministered to] him.

Jesus Begins Work in Galilee(B)

12 When Jesus heard that John had been ·put in prison [arrested], he ·went back [withdrew] to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum, ·a town near Lake Galilee [L by the sea], in the ·area near [region of] Zebulun and Naphtali [C two northern tribes of Israel]. 14 Jesus did this to ·bring about [fulfill] what the prophet Isaiah had said:

15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali
    ·along [on the road by; L the way of] the sea,
beyond the Jordan River.
    ·This is Galilee where the Gentiles live [L Galilee of the Gentiles/nations].
16 These people who ·live [dwell; sit] in darkness
    ·will see [L have seen] a great light.
And on those ·living [dwelling; sitting] in ·a place covered with the shadows of death [a land overshadowed by death; L a/the region and shadow of death],
    a light ·will shine [L has dawned] on them [Is. 9:1–2].”

Jesus Chooses Some Followers(C)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “·Change your hearts and lives [Repent], because the kingdom of heaven is ·near [at hand].”

18 As Jesus was walking by ·Lake Galilee [T the Sea of Galilee], he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were ·throwing [casting] a net into the lake because they were fishermen. 19 Jesus said, “Come ·follow me [be my disciples], and I will ·make you [teach you how to] ·fish for people [T fishers of men].” 20 So Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.

21 As Jesus ·continued walking by Lake Galilee [went on from there], he saw two other brothers, ·James and John, the sons of Zebedee [L James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John]. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, ·mending [or preparing] their nets. Jesus ·told them to come with him [called them]. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.

Jesus Teaches and Heals People(D)

23 Jesus went everywhere in Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the ·Good News about [Gospel of] the kingdom, and healing ·all [or every kind of] the people’s diseases and sicknesses. 24 The ·news [fame] about Jesus spread ·all over [or as far as] Syria, and people brought all the sick to him. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases. Some were in great pain, some ·had demons [were demon-possessed], some were epileptics, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed all of them. 25 ·Many people [Great crowds] from Galilee, the ·Ten Towns [L Decapolis; C the area east of Lake Galilee that once had ten main towns], Jerusalem, Judea, and ·the land across [beyond] the Jordan River followed him.

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