The Lord’s Covenant With Abram

15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram^(A) in a vision:^(B)

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord,^(F) what can you give me since I remain childless^(G) and the one who will inherit^[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?^(H)” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant^(I) in my household^(J) will be my heir.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.^(K)” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars^(L)—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring^[d] be.”^(M)

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.^(N)

¹⁹ Now let my lord the king listen^(A) to his servant’s words. If the Lord has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering.^(B) If, however, people have done it, may they be cursed before the Lord! They have driven me today from my share in the Lord’s inheritance^(C) and have said, ‘Go, serve other gods.’^{(D) 20} Now do not let my blood^(E) fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea^(F)—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.^(G)”

²¹ Then Saul said, “I have sinned.^(H) Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious^(I) today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.”

²² “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. ²³ The Lord rewards^(J) everyone for their righteousness^(K) and faithfulness. The Lord delivered^(L) you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. ²⁴ As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver^(M) me from all trouble.”

²⁵ Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed,^(N) David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.”

So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.