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15  És monda Sámuel Saulnak: Engem küldött el az Úr, hogy királylyá kenjelek fel téged az õ népe, az Izráel felett; most azért figyelj az Úr beszédének szavára.

Így szól a Seregek Ura: Megemlékeztem arról, a mit cselekedett Amálek Izráellel, hogy útját állta néki, mikor feljöve Égyiptomból.

Most azért menj el és verd meg Amáleket, és pusztítsátok el mindenét; és ne kedvezz néki, hanem öld meg mind a férfit, mind az asszonyt; mind a gyermeket, mind a csecsemõt; mind az ökröt, mind a juhot; mind a tevét, mind a szamarat.

És összehívá Saul a népet, és megszámlálá õket Thélaimban, kétszázezer gyalogost, és Júdából tízezer embert.

És elméne Saul Amálek városáig, és megütközék ott egy völgyben.

És monda Saul a Kéneusnak: Menjetek, távozzatok el, menjetek ki az Amálekiták közül, hogy velök együtt téged is el ne veszesselek, mert te irgalmasságot cselekedtél Izráel minden fiaival, mikor Égyiptomból feljövének. És eltávozék Kéneus az Amálekiták közül.

Saul pedig megveré Amáleket Havilától fogva egészen addig, a merre Súrba mennek, mely Égyiptom átellenében van.

És Agágot, az Amálekiták királyát elfogta élve, a népet pedig mind kardélre hányatá.

Saul és a nép azonban megkímélte Agágot és a juhoknak, barmoknak és másodszülötteknek javát; a bárányokat és mindazt, a mi jó vala, nem akarták azokat elpusztítani, hanem a mi megvetett és értéktelen dolog volt, mindazt elpusztíták.

10 Akkor szóla az Úr Sámuelnek, mondván:

11 Megbántam, hogy Sault királylyá tettem, mert eltávozott tõlem, és beszédeimet nem tartotta meg. Sámuel pedig felháborodék és kiálta az Úrhoz egész éjszaka.

12 És korán felkele Sámuel, hogy találkozzék Saullal reggel; és hírül adák Sámuelnek, [ezt] mondván: Saul Kármelbe ment, és ímé emlékoszlopot állított magának; azután megfordula, és tovább ment és lement Gilgálba,

13 És a mint Sámuel Saulhoz érkezék, monda néki Saul: Áldott vagy te az Úrtól! Én végrehajtám az Úrnak parancsolatját.

14 Sámuel azonban monda: Micsoda az a juhbégetés, [mely] füleimbe [hat] és az az ökörbõgés, melyet hallok?

15 És monda Saul: Az Amálekitáktól hozták azokat, mert a nép megkímélte a juhoknak és ökröknek javát, hogy megáldozza az Úrnak, a te Istenednek; a többit pedig elpusztítottuk.

16 Akkor monda Sámuel Saulnak: Engedd meg, hogy megmondjam néked, a mit az Úr mondott nékem ez éjjel. Õ pedig monda néki: Beszélj.

17 Monda azért Sámuel: Nemde kicsiny valál te a magad szemei elõtt is, mindazáltal Izráel törzseinek fejévé lettél, és az Úr királylyá kent fel téged Izráel felett?!

18 És elkülde az Úr téged az úton, és azt mondá: Menj el, és pusztítsd el az Amálekitákat, kik vétkezének; és hadakozzál ellenök, míg megsemmisíted õket.

19 Miért nem hallgattál az Úrnak szavára, és [miért] estél néki a prédának, és cselekedted azt, a mi bûnös az Úr szemei elõtt?

20 És felele Saul Sámuelnek: Én bizonyára hallgattam az Úr szavára, és azon az úton jártam, a melyre engem az Úr elküldött; és elhoztam Agágot, az Amálekiták királyát, és az Amálekitákat elpusztítottam.

21 A nép azonban elvette a prédából a megsemmisítésre [rendelt] juhoknak és ökröknek javát, hogy megáldozza az Úrnak, a te Istenednek Gilgálban.

22 Sámuel pedig monda: Vajjon kedvesebb-é az Úr elõtt az égõ- és véres áldozat, mint az Úr szava iránt való engedelmesség? Ímé, jobb az engedelmesség a véres áldozatnál és a szófogadás a kosok kövérénél!

23 Mert, [mint] a varázslásnak bûne, [olyan] az engedetlenség; és bálványozás és bálványimádás az ellenszegülés. Mivel te megvetetted az Úrnak beszédét, õ is megvetett téged, hogy ne légy király.

24 Akkor monda Saul Sámuelnek: Vétkeztem, mert megszegtem az Úrnak szavát és a te beszédedet; [de] mivel féltem a néptõl, azért hallgattam szavokra.

25 Most azért bocsásd meg az én vétkemet, és térj vissza velem, hogy könyörögjek az Úrnak.

26 Sámuel pedig monda Saulnak: Nem térek vissza veled, mert megvetetted az Úrnak beszédét, és az Úr is megvetett téged, hogy ne légy király Izráel felett.

27 És mikor megfordula Sámuel, hogy elmenjen, megragadta felsõ ruhájának szárnyát, és leszakada.

28 Akkor monda néki Sámuel: Elszakítá tõled az Úr a mai napon Izráelnek királyságát, és adta azt felebarátodnak, a ki jobb náladnál.

29 Izráelnek erõssége pedig nem hazudik, és semmit meg nem bán, mert nem ember õ, hogy valamit megbánjon.

30 És õ monda: Vétkeztem, mindazáltal becsülj meg engem népemnek vénei elõtt és Izráel elõtt, és velem térj vissza, hogy könyörögjek az Úrnak, a te Istenednek.

31 Visszatére azért Sámuel Saullal, és könyörgött Saul az Úrnak.

32 Sámuel pedig monda: Hozzátok ide elõmbe Agágot, Amálek királyát. És elméne Agág kényesen õ hozzá, és monda Agág: Bizonyára eltávozék a halál keserûsége.

33 És monda Sámuel: Miként a te kardod asszonyokat tett gyermektelenekké, úgy legyen gyermektelenné [minden] asszonyok felett a te anyád! És darabokra vagdalá Sámuel Agágot az Úr elõtt Gilgálban.

34 Ezután Sámuel elment Rámába, Saul pedig felment az õ házához Gibeába, Saul [városába.]

35 És Sámuel nem látogatá meg többé Sault egész halálának idejéig; de bánkódék Sámuel Saul miatt. Az Úr pedig megbánta, hogy királylyá tette Sault Izráel felett.

16  És monda az Úr Sámuelnek: Ugyan meddig bánkódol még Saul miatt, holott én megvetettem õt, hogy ne uralkodjék Izráel felett? Töltsd meg a te szarudat olajjal, és eredj el; én elküldelek téged a Bethlehemben [lakó] Isaihoz, mert fiai közül választottam magamnak királyt.

Sámuel pedig monda: Hogyan menjek el!? Ha meghallja Saul, megöl engemet. És monda az Úr: Vígy magaddal egy üszõt, és azt mondjad: Azért jöttem, hogy az Úrnak áldozzam.

És hívd meg Isait az áldozatra, és én tudtodra adom, hogy mit cselekedjél, és kend fel számomra azt, a kit mondándok néked.

És Sámuel megcselekedé, a mit az Úr mondott néki, és elment Bethlehembe. A város vénei pedig megijedének, [és] eleibe [menvén,] mondának: Békességes-é a te jöveteled?

Õ pedig felele: Békességes; azért jöttem, hogy áldozzam az Úrnak. Szenteljétek meg azért magatokat, és jertek el velem az áldozatra. Isait és az õ fiait pedig megszentelé, és elhívá õket az áldozatra.

Mikor pedig bemenének, meglátta Eliábot, és gondolá: Bizony az Úr elõtt van az õ felkentje!

Az Úr azonban monda Sámuelnek: Ne nézd az õ külsõjét, se termetének nagyságát, mert megvetettem õt. Mert az [Úr] nem azt nézi, a mit az ember; mert az ember azt nézi, a mi szeme elõtt van, de az Úr azt nézi, mi a szívben van.

Szólítá azért Isai Abinádábot, és elvezeté õt Sámuel elõtt; õ pedig monda: Ez sem az, kit az Úr választa.

Elvezeté azután elõtte Isai Sammát; õ pedig monda: Ez sem az, a kit az Úr választa.

10 És így elvezeté Isai Sámuel elõtt [mind] a hét fiát; Sámuel pedig mondá Isainak: Nem ezek közül választott az Úr.

11 Akkor monda Sámuel Isainak: Mind itt vannak-é már az ifjak? Õ pedig felele: Hátra van még a kisebbik, és ímé õ a juhokat õrzi. És monda Sámuel Isainak: Küldj el, és hozasd ide õt, mert addig nem fogunk leülni, míg õ ide nem jön.

12 Elkülde azért, és elhozatá õt. (Õ pedig piros vala, szép szemû és kedves tekintetû.) És monda az Úr: Kelj fel és kend fel, mert õ az.

13 Vevé azért Sámuel, az olajos szarut, és felkené õt testvérei között. És attól a naptól fogva az Úrnak lelke Dávidra szálla, és azután is. Felkele azután Sámuel és elméne Rámába.

14 És az Úrnak lelke eltávozék Saultól, és gonosz lélek kezdé gyötörni õt, [mely] az Úrtól [küldetett].

15 És mondának Saul szolgái néki: Ímé most az Istentõl [küldött] gonosz lélek gyötör téged!

16 Parancsoljon azért a mi urunk szolgáidnak, kik körülötted vannak, hogy keressenek [olyan] embert, a ki tudja a hárfát pengetni, és mikor az Istentõl [küldött] gonosz lélek reád jön, pengesse kezével, hogy te megkönnyebbülj.

17 És monda Saul az õ szolgáinak: Keressetek tehát számomra [olyan ]embert, a ki jól tud hárfázni, és hozzátok el hozzám.

18 Akkor felele egy a szolgák közül, és monda: Ímé én láttam a Bethlehemben [lakó] Isainak [egyik] fiát, a ki tud hárfázni, a ki erõs vitéz és hadakozó férfiú, értelmes és szép ember, és az Úr vele van.

19 Követeket külde azért Saul Isaihoz, és monda: Küldd hozzám a fiadat, Dávidot, ki a juhok mellett van.

20 Isai pedig võn egy szamarat, egy kenyeret, egy tömlõ bort és egy kecskegödölyét, és elküldé Saulnak az õ fiától, Dávidtól.

21 Mikor pedig Dávid elméne Saulhoz és megálla elõtte, az igen megszerette õt, és fegyverhordozója lõn néki.

22 És elkülde Saul Isaihoz, mondván: Maradjon Dávid én nálam, mert igen megkedveltem õt.

23 És lõn, hogy a mikor Istennek lelke Saulon vala, vette Dávid a hárfát és kezével pengeté; Saul pedig megkönnyebbüle és jobban lõn, és a gonosz lélek eltávozék tõle.

17  És összegyûjték a Filiszteusok seregeiket a harczra, és összegyûlének Sokónál, mely Júdában van, és táborozának Sokó és Azéka között, Efes-Dammimnál.

Saul és az Izráeliták pedig összegyûlének, és tábort ütének az Elah völgyében; és csatarendbe állának a Filiszteusok ellen.

És a Filiszteusok a hegyen állottak innen, az Izráeliták pedig a hegyen állottak túlfelõl, úgy hogy a völgy közöttük vala.

És kijöve a Filiszteusok táborából egy bajnok férfiú, a kit Góliáthnak hívtak, Gáth [városából való,] kinek magassága hat sing és egy arasz vala.

Fején rézsisak vala és pikkelyes pánczélba volt öltözve; a pánczél súlya pedig ötezer rézsiklusnyi vala.

Lábán réz lábpánczél és vállain rézpaizs volt.

És dárdájának nyele olyan volt, mint a takácsok zugolyfája, dárdájának hegye pedig hatszáz siklusnyi vasból volt; és elõtte megy vala, ki a paizst hordozza vala.

És megállván, kiálta Izráel csatarendjeinek, és monda nékik: Miért jöttetek ki, hogy harczra készüljetek? Avagy nem Filiszteus vagyok-é én és ti Saul szolgái? Válaszszatok azért magatok közül egy embert, és jõjjön le hozzám.

Ha azután meg bír velem vívni és engem legyõz: akkor mi a ti szolgáitok leszünk; ha pedig én gyõzöm le õt és megölöm: akkor ti legyetek a mi szolgáink, hogy szolgáljatok nékünk.

10 Monda továbbá a Filiszteus: Én gyalázattal illetém a mai napon Izráel seregét, állítsatok azért ki ellenem egy embert, hogy megvívjunk egymással.

11 Mikor pedig meghallotta Saul és az egész Izráel a Filiszteusnak ezt a beszédét, megrettenének és igen félnek vala.

12 És Dávid, Júda [városából,] Bethlehembõl való amaz Efratita embernek volt a fia, a kit Isainak hívtak, a kinek nyolcz fia volt, és e férfiú a Saul idejében vén ember vala, emberek közt [korban] elõhaladt.

13 És Isainak három idõsebbik fia Saullal elment a háborúba. Az õ három fiának pedig, a kik a háborúba menének, [ezek] valának neveik: az idõsebbik Eliáb, a második Abinádáb és a harmadik Samma.

14 És Dávid volt a legkisebbik. Mikor pedig a három idõsebb elment Saul után:

15 Dávid elméne és visszatére Saultól, hogy atyjának juhait õrizze Bethlehemben.

16 A Filiszteus pedig elõjön vala reggel és estve, és kiáll vala negyven napon át.

17 És monda Isai az õ fiának, Dávidnak: Vedd testvéreid számára ezt az efa pergelt búzát és ezt a tíz kenyeret, és sietve vidd el a táborba testvéreidhez.

18 Ezt a tíz sajtot pedig vidd el az ezredesnek, és látogasd meg testvéreidet, hogy jól vannak-é, és hozz tõlük jelt.

19 Saul pedig azokkal együtt és az egész Izráel az Elah völgyében valának, hogy harczolnának a Filiszteusok ellen.

20 Felkele azért Dávid korán reggel, és a nyájat egy pásztorra bízván, felvette a [terhet] és elment, a mint meghagyta néki Isai; és eljutott a tábor kerítéséhez; a sereg pedig, mely kivonult csatarendben, hadi zajt támasztott.

21 És csatarendbe állának Izráel és a Filiszteusok, csatarend csatarend ellen.

22 Akkor Dávid rábízta a holmit arra, a ki a hadi szerszámokat õrzi, és elfuta a harcztérre és odaérve, kérdezõsködék testvéreinek állapota felõl.

23 És míg õ beszélt velök, ímé a bajnok férfi, a Góliáth nevû Filiszteus, a ki Gáthból való volt, elõjöve a Filiszteusok csatarendei közül, és most is hasonlóképen beszél vala; és meghallá [ezt] Dávid.

24 Az Izráeliták pedig, mikor látták azt a férfit, mindnyájan elfutának elõle, és igen félnek vala.

25 És mondának az Izráeliták: Láttátok-é azt a férfit, a ki feljöve? Mert azért jött ki, hogy gyalázattal illesse Izráelt. Ha valaki megölné õt, nagy gazdagsággal ajándékozná meg a király, leányát is néki adná, és atyjának házát szabaddá tenné Izráelben.

26 És szóla Dávid azoknak az embereknek, a kik ott állának vele, mondván: Mi történik azzal, a ki megöli ezt a Filiszteust, és elveszi a gyalázatot Izráelrõl? Mert kicsoda ez a körülmetéletlen Filiszteus, hogy gyalázattal illeti az élõ Istennek seregét?!

27 A nép pedig e beszéd szerint felele néki, mondván: Ez történik azzal az emberrel, a ki megöli õt.

28 És meghallá Eliáb az õ nagyobbik testvére, hogy az emberekkel beszéle; és nagyon megharaguvék Eliáb Dávidra, és monda: Miért jöttél ide, és kire bíztad azt a néhány juhot, a mely a pusztában van? Ismerem vakmerõségedet és szívednek álnokságát, hogy csak azért jöttél ide, hogy megnézd az ütközetet!

29 Dávid pedig felele: Ugyan mit cselekedtem én most? hiszen csak szóbeszéd volt ez.

30 És elfordula tõle egy másikhoz, és ugyan úgy szóla, [mint korábban,] és a nép is az elõbbi beszéd szerint válaszola néki.

31 És mikor meghallották azokat a szavakat, a melyeket Dávid szóla, megmondák Saulnak, ki magához hívatá õt.

32 És monda Dávid Saulnak: Senki se csüggedjen el e miatt; elmegy a te szolgád és megvív ezzel a Filiszteussal.

33 Saul pedig monda Dávidnak: Nem mehetsz te e Filiszteus ellen, hogy vele megvívj, mert te gyermek vagy, õ pedig ifjúságától fogva hadakozó férfi vala.

34 És felele Dávid Saulnak: Pásztor volt a te szolgád, atyjának juhai mellett; és ha eljött az oroszlán és a medve, és elragadott egy bárányt a nyáj közül:

35 Elmentem utána és levágtam, és kiszabadítám szájából; ha pedig ellenem támadott: megragadtam szakálánál fogva, és levágtam és megöltem õt.

36 A te szolgád mind az oroszlánt, mind a medvét megölte: Úgy lesz azért e körülmetéletlen Filiszteus is, mint azok közül egy, mert gyalázattal illeté az élõ Istennek seregét.

37 És monda Dávid: Az Úr, a ki megszabadított engem az oroszlánnak és a medvének kezébõl, meg fog szabadítani engem e Filiszteusnak kezébõl is. Akkor monda Saul Dávidnak: Eredj el, és az Úr legyen veled!

38 És felöltözteté Saul Dávidot a maga harczi ruhájába; rézsisakot tett a fejére, és felöltözteté õt pánczélba.

39 Akkor Dávid felköté kardját harczi ruhája fölé, és járni akart, mert még nem próbálta. És monda Dávid Saulnak: Nem bírok ezekben járni, mert még nem próbáltam; és leveté azokat Dávid magáról.

40 És kezébe vette botját, és kiválasztván magának a patakból öt síma kövecskét, eltevé azokat pásztori szerszámába, mely vele volt, tudniillik tarisznyájába, és parittyájával kezében közeledék a Filiszteushoz.

41 Akkor elindult a Filiszteus is, és Dávidhoz közeledék, az az ember pedig, a ki a paizsát hordozza, elõtte vala.

42 Mikor pedig oda tekinte a Filiszteus, és meglátta Dávidot, megvetette õt, mert ifjú volt és piros, egyszersmind szép tekintetû.

43 És monda a Filiszteus Dávidnak: Eb vagyok-é én, hogy te bottal jössz reám? És szidalmazá a Filiszteus Dávidot Istenével [együtt.]

44 Monda továbbá a Filiszteus Dávidnak: Jõjj ide hozzám, hogy testedet az égi madaraknak és a mezei vadaknak adjam.

45 Dávid pedig monda a Filiszteusnak: Te karddal, dárdával és paizszsal jössz ellenem, én pedig a Seregek Urának, Izráel seregei Istenének nevében megyek ellened, a kit te gyalázattal illetél.

46 A mai napon kezembe ad téged az Úr, és megöllek téged, és fejedet levágom rólad. A Filiszteusok seregének tetemét pedig az égi madaraknak és a mezei vadaknak fogom adni a mai napon, hogy tudja meg az egész föld, hogy van Izráelnek Istene.

47 És tudja meg ez az egész sokaság, hogy nem kard által és nem dárda által tart meg az Úr, mert az Úré a had, és õ titeket kezünkbe fog adni.

48 És mikor a Filiszteus felkészült, és elindult, és Dávid felé közeledék: Dávid is sietett és futott a viadalra a Filiszteus elé.

49 És Dávid benyúlt kezével a tarisznyába és kivett onnan egy követ, és elhajítván, homlokán találta a Filiszteust, úgy, hogy a kõ homlokába mélyede, és arczczal a földre esék.

50 Így Dávid erõsebb volt a Filiszteusnál, parittyával és kõvel. És levágta a Filiszteust és megölte õt, pedig kard nem is vala a Dávid kezében.

51 És oda futott Dávid, és reá állott a Filiszteusra, és vevé annak kardját, kirántotta hüvelyébõl, és megölé õt, és fejét azzal levágta. A Filiszteusok pedig a mint meglátták, hogy az õ hõsük meghalt, megfutamodának.

52 És felkelének Izráel és Júda férfiai és felkiáltának, és üldözék a Filiszteusokat egészen Gáthig és Ekron kapujáig. És hullának a Filiszteusok sebesültjei a Saraim felé [vezetõ] úton Gáthig és Ekronig.

53 Visszatérének azután Izráel fiai a Filiszteusok üldözésébõl, és feldúlták azoknak táborát.

54 Dávid pedig felvevé a Filiszteusnak fejét, és elvitte Jeruzsálembe, fegyvereit pedig a maga sátorába rakta le.

55 Saul pedig mikor látta, hogy Dávid kiment a Filiszteus elé, monda Abnernek, a sereg fõvezérének: Abner! ki fia e gyermek? És felele Abner: Él a te lelked oh király, hogy nem tudom!

56 És monda a király: Kérdezd meg tehát, hogy ki fia ez az ifjú?

57 És a mint visszajött Dávid, miután megölte a Filiszteust, megfogá õt Abner, és Saulhoz vitte; és a Filiszteusnak feje kezében vala.

58 És monda néki Saul: Ki fia vagy te, oh gyermek? Dávid pedig felele: A te szolgádnak, a Bethlehembõl való Isainak a fia vagyok.

Saul Spares Agag of Amalek

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Adonai sent me to anoint you as king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, listen to the voice of the words of Adonai! Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘I remember what Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way while he was coming up from Egypt. Now go and strike down Amalek and put all he has under the ban of destruction—so have no pity on him; but kill both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them in Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. Saul advanced to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, or else I may destroy you with them—for you showed kindness to all Bnei-Yisrael when they came up from Egypt.” So the Kenites withdrew from among the Amalekites.

Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah until you come to Shur, which is close to Egypt. He captured King Agag of Amalek alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag as well as the best of the sheep, the cattle, even the fatlings and the lambs, and all that was good, since they were not willing to utterly destroy them; everything that was worthless and feeble, they destroyed completely.

10 Then the word of Adonai came to Samuel saying: 11 “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands.” So Samuel was troubled and cried out to Adonai all night long. 12 Then Samuel rose early in the morning to confront Saul. But it was reported to Samuel saying, “Saul went to Carmel—for some reason, he erected a monument for himself. Then he turned and went down to Gilgal.”

13 Now when Samuel reached Saul, Saul said to him, “Blessed are you of Adonai! I have carried out Adonai’s command.”

14 But Samuel said, “Then what is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”

15 “They brought them from the Amalekites,” Saul replied, “for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen to sacrifice to Adonai your God—but the rest we have utterly destroyed.”

16 “Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what Adonai said to me last night.”

“Say on,” he said.

17 Then Samuel said, “Isn’t it true, though you were insignificant in your own eyes, that you were made head of the tribes of Israel? Adonai anointed you king over Israel! 18 Then Adonai sent you on a mission and said: ‘Go and utterly destroy the Amalekites, the sinners, and wage war against them until you annihilate them.’ 19 Why then did you not obey the voice of Adonai, but rushed greedily onto the spoil—doing what was evil in Adonai’s eyes?”

20 “But I did obey the voice of Adonai,” Saul said to Samuel. “I went on the mission on which Adonai sent me, and brought back Agag the king of Amalek—and utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen—the best of what was under the ban of destruction—to sacrifice to Adonai your God in Gilgal.”

22 Samuel said:

“Does Adonai delight in burnt offerings
    and sacrifices
    as in obeying the voice of Adonai?[a]
    Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
    to pay heed than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination

and stubbornness is like iniquity

    and idolatry.
    Since you have rejected Adonai’s word,
    He has also rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned! For I have transgressed against the word of Adonai and your words—because I feared the people and listened to their voice. [b] 25 So now, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship Adonai.”

26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of Adonai, and Adonai has rejected you as king over Israel.”

27 As Samuel turned about to go, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore. 28 Then Samuel said to him, “Adonai has torn the kingship over Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. 29 Moreover, the Eternal Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind.[c] For He is not human that He should change His mind.”

30 Then Saul said, “I have sinned! But please, honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me until I bow in worship to Adonai your God.” 31 So Samuel returned after Saul, and Saul bowed in worship to Adonai.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag the king of Amalek.” Agag approached him in chains, thinking, “Surely bitter death has turned back.” 33 Then Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.” Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces before Adonai in Gilgal.

34 Samuel then went to Ramah, while Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel never did see Saul again until the day of his death. Yet Samuel mourned over Saul, while Adonai regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Samuel Anoints David

16 Now Adonai said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse the Beth-lehemite, for I have selected for Myself a king among his sons.”

But Samuel replied, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.”

Adonai said, “Take a heifer with you and say: ‘I have come to sacrifice to Adonai.’ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You will anoint for Me whom I tell you.”

So Samuel did what Adonai said and went to Beth-lehem. The elders of the town came out to meet him trembling, and asked, “Do you come in shalom?”

“In shalom,” he said. “I have come to sacrifice to Adonai. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. Upon their arrival, he saw Eliab and thought, “Surely, Adonai’s anointed one is before Him.”

But Adonai said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have already refused him. For He does not see a man as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Adonai looks into the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. But he said, “Neither has Adonai chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by and again he said, “Neither has Adonai chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “Adonai has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the boys you have?”

“There’s still the youngest,” he replied. But right now, he’s tending the sheep.”

“Send and bring him,” Samuel said to Jesse, “for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 So he sent word and had him come. Now he was ruddy-cheeked, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance.

Then Adonai said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. From that day on Ruach Adonai came mightily upon David. Then Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

David Soothes Saul’s Torment

14 Now the Ruach Adonai had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Adonai terrified him. 15 So Saul’s courtiers said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord now command your courtiers in your service to search for a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play with his instrument and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his courtiers, “Find me someone who can play well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the young men answered and said, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite who is skillful in playing music. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, a handsome man, and Adonai is with him.”

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the flock.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey, loaded it with bread, a bottle of wine and a young goat, and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21 Then David came to Saul and became one of his attendants. Saul loved him greatly, so David became his armor-bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David now keep attending me, for he has found favor in my eyes.” 23 It came to pass, whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand. So Saul would find relief and feel better, as the evil spirit departed from him.

David Slays Goliath with Sling and Stone

17 Now the Philistines assembled their armies to battle. They were gathered at Socoh of Judah, and camped in Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. Saul and the men of Israel gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, then lined up in battle array against the Philistines. The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side, and Israel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them. Then a champion stepped out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and a breastplate of scale armor; the weight of the bronze breastplate was 5,000 shekels[d]. He also had bronze shin-guards on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the head of his spear weighed 600 shekels[e] of iron; and his shield-bearer was marching ahead of him.

Then he stood and shouted out to the ranks of Israel saying to them, “Why come out to line up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and aren’t you Saul’s servants? Choose for yourselves a man and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we become your slaves; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then will you become our slaves and serve us.” 10 The Philistine added, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel—give me a man, so we may fight together!”

11 But when Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and very terrified.

12 Now David was son of a certain Ephrathite man of Beth-lehem of Judah, whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons and during the days of Saul the man was old, advanced in years among men. 13 Now the three oldest sons of Jesse had already left and gone after Saul to the battle; the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. So the three oldest followed Saul. 15 Now David would go back and forth from Saul to tending his father’s sheep by Beth-lehem.

16 For forty days that Philistine would come out every morning and evening to present himself. 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now, for your brothers, an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten slices of cheese to the captain of their thousand—and check out the welfare of your brothers and bring back some token from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”

20 So David rose up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, took the provisions and went as Jesse had commanded him. When he reached the camp, the army was going out to the battle line shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines, army against army. 22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered to check out his brothers’ welfare. 23 But as he was talking with them, behold the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the ranks of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them.

24 Upon seeing him, all the men of Israel fled from him in great fear. 25 All the men of Israel were saying, “Have you seen this man who keeps coming up? Surely he is coming up to defy Israel! The man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, give him his daughter in marriage and make his father’s house tax-free in Israel!”

26 Then David asked the men who were standing by him saying, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the ranks of the living God?”

27 The people answered him with the same speech saying, “Thus it will be done for the man who strikes him down.” 28 Now when Eliab his oldest brother heard him speaking to the men, Eliab’s anger was kindled against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “So with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart! For you’ve come down here to watch the battle.”

29 “What have I done now?” David said. “It was only a question!” 30 Then he turned away from him toward someone else and asked the same question. So the people gave him the same answer as before.

31 The words that David said were overheard and reported before Saul. So he was taken to him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”

33 Then Saul said to David, “You can’t go fight this Philistine—for you’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb out of its mouth. If it rose up against me, I grabbed him by its fur, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear, so this uncircumcised Philistine will become like one of them—since he has defied the ranks of the living God.” 37 Then David said, “Adonai, who has delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

“Go!” said Saul to David, “and may Adonai be with you.”

38 Then Saul clothed David with his own garb, put a bronze helmet on his head, and clothed him in armor. 39 David strapped his sword on his garment and tried to walk, but he was not used to it. So David said to Saul, “I cannot walk in these, for I am not used to them.” So David took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the valley, put them in the pocket of the shepherd’s bag that he had, and with his sling in his hand, he approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine drew nearer and approached David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 Now when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was just a ruddy boy with a handsome appearance. 43 Then the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, so I may give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You are coming to me with a sword, a spear and a javelin, but I am coming to you in the Name of Adonai-Tzva’ot, God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This very day Adonai will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and take your head off you, and I will give the carcasses of the Philistines’ camp today to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth. Then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and so all this assembly will know that Adonai delivers not with sword and spear—for the battle belongs to Adonai—and He will give you into our hands.”

48 Then when the Philistine rose and began to advance, drawing near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, took from it a stone and slung it, striking the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, struck the Philistine down and killed him. Since there was no sword in David’s hand, 51 David ran, stood over the Philistine, picked up his sword, drew it from its sheath, slew him and cut off his head with it.

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah rose up, shouted and pursued the Philistines all the way to the valley up to the gates of Ekron. The slain Philistines fell down along the way to Shaaraim, even up to Gath and Ekron.

53 When Bnei-Yisrael returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp. 54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his own tent. 55 Now when Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this boy?”

Abner said, “As your soul lives, your majesty, I don’t know.”

56 So the king said, “Then, find out whose son this young man is.” 57 So when David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul said to him.

David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.”

The Lord Rejects Saul as King

15 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint(A) you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites(B) for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally(C) destroy[a] all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand from Judah. Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites,(D) “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

Then Saul attacked the Amalekites(E) all the way from Havilah to Shur,(F) near the eastern border of Egypt. He took Agag(G) king of the Amalekites alive,(H) and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared(I) Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves[b] and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret(J) that I have made Saul king, because he has turned(K) away from me and has not carried out my instructions.”(L) Samuel was angry,(M) and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel.(N) There he has set up a monument(O) in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

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

“Tell me,” Saul replied.

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small(P) in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ 19 Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder(Q) and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”

20 “But I did obey(R) the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 But Samuel replied:

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,(S)
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,(T)
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected(U) the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned.(V) I violated(W) the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid(X) of the men and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive(Y) my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected(Z) the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe,(AA) and it tore.(AB) 28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn(AC) the kingdom(AD) of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.(AE) 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie(AF) or change(AG) his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned.(AH) But please honor(AI) me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”

Agag came to him in chains.[c] And he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,

“As your sword has made women childless,
    so will your mother be childless among women.”(AJ)

And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah,(AK) but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah(AL) of Saul. 35 Until the day Samuel(AM) died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned(AN) for him. And the Lord regretted(AO) that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn(AP) for Saul, since I have rejected(AQ) him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil(AR) and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse(AS) of Bethlehem. I have chosen(AT) one of his sons to be king.”

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show(AU) you what to do. You are to anoint(AV) for me the one I indicate.”

Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem,(AW) the elders of the town trembled(AX) when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?(AY)

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate(AZ) yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab(BA) and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,(BB) but the Lord looks at the heart.”(BC)

Then Jesse called Abinadab(BD) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah(BE) pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all(BF) the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”(BG)

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he(BH) sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome(BI) features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed(BJ) him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord(BK) came powerfully upon David.(BL) Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed(BM) from Saul, and an evil[d] spirit(BN) from the Lord tormented him.(BO)

15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre.(BP) He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse(BQ) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.(BR) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with(BS) him.”

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.(BT) 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,(BU) a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

21 David came to Saul and entered his service.(BV) Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit(BW) would leave him.

David and Goliath

17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled(BX) at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh(BY) and Azekah.(BZ) Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah(CA) and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

A champion named Goliath,(CB) who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[e] He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[f]; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin(CC) was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod,(CD) and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[g] His shield bearer(CE) went ahead of him.

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose(CF) a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy(CG) the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.(CH) 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite(CI) named Jesse,(CJ) who was from Bethlehem(CK) in Judah. Jesse had eight(CL) sons, and in Saul’s time he was very old. 13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab;(CM) the second, Abinadab;(CN) and the third, Shammah.(CO) 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend(CP) his father’s sheep(CQ) at Bethlehem.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah[h](CR) of roasted grain(CS) and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers(CT) are and bring back some assurance[i] from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”

20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies,(CU) ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual(CV) defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.

25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter(CW) in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes(CX) in Israel.”

26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace(CY) from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised(CZ) Philistine that he should defy(DA) the armies of the living(DB) God?”

27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

28 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger(DC) at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”

29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart(DD) on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

33 Saul replied,(DE) “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion(DF) or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized(DG) it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion(DH) and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued(DI) me from the paw of the lion(DJ) and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with(DK) you.”

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own(DL) tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.

“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer(DM) in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome,(DN) and he despised(DO) him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog,(DP) that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds(DQ) and the wild animals!(DR)

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,(DS) but I come against you in the name(DT) of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.(DU) 46 This day the Lord will deliver(DV) you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses(DW) of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world(DX) will know that there is a God in Israel.(DY) 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword(DZ) or spear that the Lord saves;(EA) for the battle(EB) is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling(EC) and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut(ED) off his head with the sword.(EE)

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath[j] and to the gates of Ekron.(EF) Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim(EG) road to Gath and Ekron. 53 When the Israelites returned from chasing the Philistines, they plundered their camp.

54 David took the Philistine’s head and brought it to Jerusalem; he put the Philistine’s weapons in his own tent.

55 As Saul watched David(EH) going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner,(EI) whose son is that young man?”

Abner replied, “As surely as you live, Your Majesty, I don’t know.”

56 The king said, “Find out whose son this young man is.”

57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head.

58 “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.

David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse(EJ) of Bethlehem.”

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 15:3 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verses 8, 9, 15, 18, 20 and 21.
  2. 1 Samuel 15:9 Or the grown bulls; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  3. 1 Samuel 15:32 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  4. 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23
  5. 1 Samuel 17:4 That is, about 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters
  6. 1 Samuel 17:5 That is, about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms
  7. 1 Samuel 17:7 That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms
  8. 1 Samuel 17:17 That is, probably about 36 pounds or about 16 kilograms
  9. 1 Samuel 17:18 Or some token; or some pledge of spoils
  10. 1 Samuel 17:52 Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew of a valley