References (327)
He had a son named Saul (Hebr. Shaol) — young (chosen — Hebr. bachor) and handsome (handsome — Hebr. tóv), among the sons of Israel there was no one more handsome (more beautiful — Hebr. tóv) than he — from the shoulder upward he was taller than anyone in the whole people. [He was a head taller than anyone else.]
[The name Shaol means "desired"; he was a long-awaited and prayed-for son to Kish and his wife. The word "young" is often used for an unmarried young man (). The noun comes from the verb root to examine and to choose, so the phrase bachor v´tov can also mean "chosen and good/handsome." Saul is in his mid-thirties and married when he becomes king. His son, Jonathan, is commander in the first war (and must be around 17-20 years old at the time, see ). The Old Testament does not specify how long Saul reigns, but Paul writes 40 years (). This may be a symbolic time, but his successors David and Solomon each reigned for 40 years (; ). In that case, Saul is about 75 years old when he fights the Philistines at Gilboa (). See also .]
Now Kish, Saul's father, had lost his donkeys, and Kish said to Saul, his son, "Take one of your servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."
When they came to the land of Zophah [near Ramah], Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and worry about us instead."
[Saul lived in Gibeah, just over a mile north of Jerusalem (). The mountainous region of Ephraim was just over 12 miles northwest of his home. Although Shalisha and Shaalim are unclear, most identify them with Baal-Shalisha and Shaalbim, respectively, which are located at the northwestern and southwestern ends of the Ephraimite mountain country. Just walking around this area would involve a 100-mile trek, a large area to cover during this three-day search (see ). The region of Tsof is generally assumed (based on 1 Sam. 1:1) to be the region of Samuel's hometown in the hill country of Ephraim.]
Then Saul said to his servant, "Look, if we go, what shall we take with us to the man? The bread in our bags is dry, and it is not a gift to give to a man of God. What do we have?"
And the servant answered Saul and said, "Behold, I have a quarter of a shekel of silver [2.9 grams] [a week's wages for a laborer] in my hand, which I will give to the man of God to tell us our way."
Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said (good suggestion). Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. [Probably Ramah, a little over a mile north of Jerusalem, where Samuel used to be, see .]
And the Lord (Yahweh) had shown Samuel a day before he came and said:
And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord (Yahweh) said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall have authority over my people."
Then Saul approached Samuel at the gate and said, "Tell me, I beg you, where is the seer's house?"
And Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let you go, and I will tell you all that is in your heart.
And Saul answered and said, "Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family is the smallest of the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then do you speak to me in this way?"
And Samuel took Saul and his servants and brought them into the hall and had them sit in the place of honor among those who were invited, which was about 30 people.
And the cook took the thigh and what was on it and set it before Saul. And [Samuel] said, "See what has been saved, set it before you and eat, for it has been saved for you for the appointed time, and I say, I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
And when they came down from the high place to the city, he spoke with Saul on the roof. [At that time, houses were built with flat roofs and used the space as an extra room.]
And they rose early, and it came to pass at dawn that Samuel called Saul on the roof and said, "Get up, so that I may send you away." And Saul rose, and they both, he and Samuel, went outside.
As they went down toward the edge of the city [ancient cities were always located on high ground, so the edge of the city probably refers to the gate in the wall], Samuel said to Saul, "Tell your servant to go on ahead of us." And he went on [out of the city]. "But stay here a while so that I may let you hear the word of God (Elohim)." [Samuel had a message from the Lord for Saul that he wanted to share with him privately.]
And it came to pass, when all who knew him before saw it, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, and the people said to one another, "What is this that is happening to the son of Kish? Is Saul among the prophets?"
And a man in the same place answered and said, "And who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servants, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To look for the donkeys, and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel."
And Saul's uncle said, "Tell me, I beg you, what Samuel said to you."
And Saul said to his uncle, "He told me plainly that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him what Samuel had said about the kingdom.
And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families, and the family of Matri was chosen [the lot fell on that family], and Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen [the lot fell on him], but when they searched for him, they could not find him.
And Saul also went to his house in [his hometown] Gibeah, and with him went the brave men (warriors—men in their prime—full of their own strength and power), whose hearts God (Elohim) had touched.
Then the messengers came to Saul's [city] Gibeah and spoke these words in the ears of the people, and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
And behold, Saul came from the field behind his oxen, and Saul said, "Why are the people weeping?" And they told him what the man from Javesh had said.
And the Spirit of God (Elohim) came upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.
And he took a yoke of oxen and broke it in pieces and sent them throughout Israel by messengers, saying, "Whoever does not follow Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." And the fear of the Lord (Yahweh) fell upon the people, and they went out as one man.
The next day, Saul divided the people into three groups, and they invaded the camp at the morning watch [the last of the three night watches – from 2:00 to 6:00 a.m.] and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day [afternoon]. Those who escaped were so scattered that not two of them escaped together. [The Amorites must have put up some resistance at first, as the battle lasted about 12 hours.]
And the people said to Samuel, "Who is this who said, 'Shall Saul reign over us? Bring forth the men, that we may put them to death.
But Saul said, "No man shall be put to death today, for today the Lord (Yahweh) has given deliverance in Israel."
And all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord (Yahweh) in Gilgal.
[Saul begins his reign as leader or king in several stages. Samuel first anoints Saul as prince of Israel in , the whole people choose him as king in , but some protest and everyone, including Saul, goes home. Some time later, during a war, they find Saul working with the oxen in the field (). He has already been chosen as king, but he has not yet acted as such. He then gathers Israel and leads them to victory. After that, the kingdom is renewed and everyone finally recognizes him as king in , and only then does he begin to reign in earnest.] Saul had reigned
[in practice] for one year, even though he had been
[formally] king of Israel for two years.
[The first half of the verse has caused some confusion. The reason is that it does not follow the "usual formula" of stating the king's age when he became king and how long he reigned (cf. , ; ; ; ; ). Many translations have attempted to "correct" the text so that it fits the age and reign formula. The verse is not included in the Septuagint, but some Greek manuscripts state that Saul was 30 years old, probably based on the ages of other kings, see . The Jewish historian Josephus states that Saul reigned for 20 years, see his work Antiquities of the Jews (book 6), but also suggests 40 years in other places, something that Paul mentions, see . It is incredible that any writer could have managed to corrupt both the age at which Saul became king and the length of his reign without anyone noticing that it said that Saul was one year old when he began to reign and then was king for two years. The most natural interpretation is that the verse describes how a year had passed since Saul was recognized by the people as king, but he had formally been king for two years.] And Saul chose for himself 3,000 men from Israel, of whom 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash [meaning: "hidden place"; probably present-day Mukmas, 11 km northeast of Jerusalem] and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with [his son] Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin [the city of Gibeah in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin, see also ]. He sent the rest of the people each to his tent.
And Jonathan struck the Philistine garrison that was in Geva [masculine form of "hill"] and the Philistines heard about it. And Saul blew the shofar throughout the land and said, "Let the Hebrews hear." [On four occasions in the Books of Samuel, the Hebrew spelling Geva (masculine form of the word "hill") is used instead of Giva (the more common feminine form of "hill" used twelve times in the Books of Samuel). It probably refers to the same place, but the author may have wanted to give a different emphasis. Geva is used in , ; ; and Giva in ; ; , ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; . The phrase Giva-Benjamin is used in verses 2, 15, and , and the reason may be to recall the tragic event in .]
And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten the Philistines, and that Israel had also made themselves odious to the Philistines. And the people gathered themselves together after Saul to Gilgal.
Some of the Hebrews had crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead [east of the Jordan River].
But Saul was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling with fear.
Then Saul said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offering." And he offered the burnt offering.
Just as he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went to meet him to greet him.
But Samuel said, "What have you done?"
Saul replied, "Because I saw that the people were scattering from me and that you did not come at the appointed time, and that the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,
Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly [only priests were allowed to sacrifice], you have not kept (guarded, protected, preserved) the Lord (Yahweh), the commands (the clear commandments – Hebr. mitzvot) of your God (Elohim) that he commanded (Hebrew tsavah) you [], for now the Lord (Yahweh) would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
Then Samuel got up and went from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin [the city of Gibeah in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin]. And Saul counted the people who were with him, about 600 men.
And Saul and Jonathan his son and the people who were with them stayed in Geva-Benjamin [here the masculine form Geva is used instead of the usual feminine Giva], but the Philistines were encamped in Michmash.
And when the days of war came, there was no sword or spear to be found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and Jonathan (only Saul and Jonathan had personal weapons).
And it came to pass one day that Jonathan, Saul's son, said to the young man who carried his armor [his armor bearer], "Come, let us go over to the Philistine camp on the other side." But he did not tell his father.
And Saul lingered at the edge of Gibeah under the pomegranate trees that are in Migron [meaning: "high rock"; located near Gibeah], and the people who were with him were about 600 men,
And Saul's watchmen in Givat-Benjamin looked, and behold, the crowds were melting (in disarray) and they were going here and there. [The word for "in disarray" is literally the word for melting and describes a change that cannot be resisted. The people are shaking with fear and cannot do anything about the situation. ]
And Saul said to the people [the army] who were with him, "Count and see who has left us." And when they had counted, it appeared that Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.
And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God (Elohim)." For the ark of God (Elohim) was with the sons of Israel at that time.
And it came to pass, while Saul was speaking to the priest, that the turmoil in the camp of the Philistines continued and worsened, and Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."
And Saul and the people who were with him gathered together and came to the battle, and behold, every man's sword was against his neighbor, and there was a very great defeat.
And the Hebrews who had previously been with the Philistines and had gone up with them to the camp around, they also turned (changed sides) and were with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
And the men of Israel were weary [exhausted, hard pressed] that day, but Saul implored the people, saying, "Cursed (utterly destroyed—Hebr. arar) be the man who eats any food before evening, and I have avenged myself on my enemies." So none of the people tasted any food.
And they told Saul and said, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord (Yahweh) by eating [the meat] with the blood." [; ; ] And he said, "You have acted treacherously. Roll a large stone to me at once (literally: today)." [So that the animals could be slaughtered and the blood flow down to the ground.]
Then Saul said, "Go out among the people and tell them, 'Each one, bring your ox and your sheep and slaughter them here and eat. But do not sin against the Lord (Yahweh) by eating blood.'" So all the people brought their oxen that night and slaughtered them there. [The prohibition against eating meat with blood is also linked to the prohibition against blood sacrifices to bring forth spirits, a custom described in several Hittite texts, see ; .]
Then Saul built an altar to the Lord (Yahweh). This was the first altar he built to the Lord (Yahweh).
And Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines tonight [when it is dark] and destroy them until the morning light (until dawn), and let us not leave a man of them alive."
And they said, "Do what is good in your eyes."
And the priest said, "Let us draw near here to God (Elohim)." [It is likely that the priest used the Urim and Thummim to determine God's will, see ; .]
So Saul asked God (Elohim) for advice: "Should I go down against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But he did not answer him that day.
Then Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has been committed today.
So he said to all Israel, "You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what is good in your eyes."
And Saul said to the Lord (Yahweh), the God of Israel (Elohim), "Declare what is right." And the lot fell on Saul and Jonathan, but the people escaped.
And Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son." And the lot fell on Jonathan.
And Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him and said, "I did taste a little honey with the tip of my staff that was in my hand. Here I am (I take responsibility – Hebr. hineni). I shall die."
Saul replied, "God (Elohim) will do so and more besides; you shall surely die, Jonathan."
But the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die? Who has given this great victory to Israel? Away with it, the Lord (Yahweh) lives, not a hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has fought with God (Elohim) today."
Then Saul gave up pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
After Saul had taken the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab and against the sons of Ammon and against Edom and against the kings of Zobah and against the Philistines. And wherever he turned himself, he struck them down.
And these are the sons of Saul: Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua; and his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger was Michal.
And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimath, and the name of the commander of the army was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
And Kish was Saul's father, and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.
And there were hard battles against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And all the mighty men (warriors – men in their prime – full of strength and power – Hebr.) gever) and all the brave men (strong, mighty warriors, soldiers – Hebr. chajil) that Saul saw, he took into his army [see ].
And Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord (Yahweh) has sent me to anoint you king over his people, over Israel; therefore, listen now to the voice of the word of the Lord (Yahweh).
And Saul gathered the people and counted them in [the city] Telaim [south of Hebron in the Negev desert, probably the same as Telem along Judah's southern border with Edom, see , ], 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah. [A total of 210,000 men, the second largest army in Saul's career. The largest was earlier, see .]
And
Saul came to the city of Amalek
[their capital] and lay in wait for him in the valley.
[Probably in the brook of Egypt which the main road crossed, present-day Wadi el-Arish.]And Saul said to the Kenites [; ; ; ]: "Go, depart, go down from the Amalekites, lest we destroy you with them, for you showed kindness (loving care) to all the house of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from the Amalekites.
And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah as one goes to Shur, which is before Egypt.
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen and the two-year-olds and the lambs of the males and all that was good, and did not utterly destroy them, but everything worthless and weak they utterly destroyed.
"I regret (mourn-comfort – Hebr. nacham) that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away (turned away) from following me and my word, he has not fulfilled the commands." And Samuel was grieved, and he cried out to the Lord (Yahweh) all night. [Hebr. nacham in verses 11, 29, and 35 is sometimes translated as "regret," but the word means both to feel sorrow and to comfort, as well as the actual "change" in the process of moving from sorrow to giving comfort. The name of the prophet Nahum, which means comfort, has the same Hebrew root (nhm), see also ; ; . God feels sorrow that Saul fell into sin, but now begins the process of comforting and giving a new king. In , it is precisely the "human aspect" of changing one's mind that is emphasized—no, that is not how God is!]
And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And they told Samuel and said, "Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he has set up a monument for himself and has gone on and gone down to Gilgal."
And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you by the Lord (Yahweh)! I have done the commands that the Lord (Yahweh) has spoken."
And Saul said, "They have taken them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice them to the Lord (Yahweh) your God (Elohim), and the rest we have utterly destroyed."
And Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! And I will tell you what the Lord (Yahweh) said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak."
And Saul said to Samuel, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord (Yahweh) and have gone the way the Lord (Yahweh) sent me, and have captured Agag, king of the Amalekites, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the word of the Lord (Yahweh) and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
But Samuel replied to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord (Yahweh), and the Lord (Yahweh) has rejected you from being king over Israel."
And Samuel returned after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord (Yahweh).
Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Givath-Shalom.
And Samuel never saw Saul again until the day he died, for Samuel mourned (Hebr. ) for Saul. And the Lord (Yahweh) regretted (mourned-comforted – Hebr. nacham) that he had made Saul king over Israel. [See comment in .]
[The third unit in the Books of Samuel deals with how the young David comes to the throne. It consists of seven units that go from positive events to negative ones. The first four describe his anointing, his service as a harpist, his victory over Goliath, and his popularity and friendship with Jonathan. At the center, the narrative turns, and in a chiastic pattern, three stories follow that describe his struggles and how Saul becomes increasingly harsh toward David.]
The Lord (Yahweh) said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul? See, I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself from among his sons."
And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." The Lord (Yahweh) replied, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord (Yahweh).
And the Spirit of the Lord (Yahweh) had departed from Saul, and he was tormented (terrified – Hebr. baat) by an evil spirit (tormentor – Hebr. ra-ruach) from the Lord (Yahweh).
[An evil spirit from the Lord
Five times it is mentioned how Saul was tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord/God (, ; ; ). Another reference to something similar can be found in . Previously, Saul had been anointed king by Samuel (), something that is often associated with receiving the Spirit of God. Now two things are described as happening. First, the Spirit of the Lord leaves him, which happens in the verse after the Spirit of the Lord came upon David () and as a consequence of being rejected as king (, ; ). However, Saul does not end up in a normal state; instead, something else comes upon him that also torments him. The English word "tormentor" describes someone who torments others. It is not a spirit, but a person. The same breadth of meaning is found in Hebr. in the words used here. The word evil (Hebr. ra) can also mean misery, misfortune, or something morally twisted. The first time it is used is in about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The verb torment (Hebr. baat) means both to torment and to terrify. Regardless of the interpretation (in terms of the spiritual and the soul, which in Hebrew thought are not separate) that torments him, this is something that the Lord (Yahweh) allows to happen after Saul has left God's protection.]
Then Saul's servants said to him, "Behold, now (we beg you – Hebr. na) [listen to us], since an evil spirit from God (Elohim) is tormenting you,
Saul replied to his servants, "Find me a man who can play well and bring him to me."
Therefore, Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
And Jesse took a donkey and loaded it with bread and a jug of wine and a kid, and sent it with his son David to Saul.
And David came to Saul and stood before him, and he loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.
And Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, "Let David, I pray thee, remain before me, for he hath found favor (undeserved love – Hebr. chen) in my sight."
And it came to pass, when the spirit from God (Elohim) was upon Saul, that David took the harp and played with his hand, and Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
And
Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together and encamped in the
Valley of Elah (the Valley of Terebinth). They drew up in battle array against the Philistines.
And he [Goliath] stood and shouted to the army of Israel, saying to them, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man among you, and let him come down to me.
When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
[The most common attribute used to describe Saul is "very afraid," see ; ; ; ; , , ; ; , , . In comparison, David is mentioned as being afraid twice, of Achish (the king of Gath, see ) and of God ().]
And David was the son of an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah named Jesse, who had eight sons, and the man was an old man in Saul's days, having reached a ripe old age among men [so he could not go to the battlefield himself].
[David was the youngest, see . In , only seven sons are mentioned by name. In , the three eldest are mentioned, so one of the younger ones may have died early before starting a family and therefore not been included in the Chronicles.]
And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul into battle, and the names of the three sons who had gone out to battle were: Eliab, his firstborn, Abinadab, the second, and Shammah, the third. []
And David was the youngest, and the three eldest had followed Saul.
But David went back and forth between Saul [in the valley of Elah, where the army was] and Bethlehem, to tend his father's sheep. [David lived with his father in Bethlehem, where he took care of his father's sheep, but regularly went to support his brothers in Saul's army. In , David's tent is mentioned.]
and
Saul and they and all the men of Israel are in the
Valley of Elah (Valley of Terebinth), and are fighting with the Philistines.
And when the words that David spoke were heard, they told Saul, and he was brought to him.
And David said to Saul, "Let no man's courage fail (heart be discouraged). Your servant will go and fight this Philistine."
And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are too young, and he has been a warrior from his youth (an experienced warrior)."
And David said to Saul, "Your servant has been tending his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock
And David said, "The Lord (Yahweh) delivered me from the mouth of the lion and from the mouth of the bear, and he will deliver me from the hand of the Philistines." Then Saul said to David, "Go, and may the Lord (Yahweh) be with you."
And Saul clothed David with his garments, and put a bronze helmet upon his head, and clothed him with armor (a breastplate).
And David fastened his sword over the armor, and he tried to walk, for he had not tested it. David said to Saul, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them (am not accustomed to them, am not trained with them)." And he took them off.
[Now follows a flashback in verses 55-66 with more details about what happened before the battle. Here we are given background information on , where Saul asks for the name of David's father so that he can find out more about the man who could potentially become his son-in-law. The image given here in verses 55-58 is also that of a king who is now unable to remember simple details, which also shows that God's Spirit had left Saul. David had previously played for Saul, see .]
And when Saul saw David going toward the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this young man?" And Abner replied, "As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell you."
When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him to Saul with the Philistine's head in his hand.
Then Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David replied, "I am your servant, the son of Jesse the Bethlehemite."
And it came to pass, when he [David] had finished speaking with Saul, that Jonathan's soul was knit to David's soul (person), and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (as himself).
And Saul took him that day and would not let him go back to his father's house.
And David went out where Saul sent him. He was very successful (wise, intelligent – Hebr. sachal), and Saul put him in charge of the warriors, and it was good in the eyes of the people and also in the eyes of Saul's servants.
[Most Greek translations do not include , but it is included in the Hebrew texts.]
And it came to pass, when they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, that the women came out of the cities of Israel, singing and dancing to meet King Saul with tambourines, with joy and with shalishim instruments. [The Hebrew word shalishim is used only here and has to do with the word "three," which some interpret as a three-stringed instrument. It may also be an onomatopoeic word describing an instrument that sounds "shal-shal-shal," and is some kind of rhythm instrument like a rattle.]
And the women sang to each other as they played, saying:
"Saul has slain his thousands
and David his ten thousands."
And Saul became very angry, and these words were evil in his eyes, and he said, "They have credited David with ten thousand, and to me they have credited only a thousand, and the only thing he lacks is the kingdom."
And Saul watched David from that day on.
And it came to pass in the morning that an evil spirit from the Lord (Yahweh) came upon Saul [again, see ], and he prophesied [raged, roared, behaved violently] in the midst of the house, but David played with his hand as he used to do every day, and Saul had his spear in his hand.
And Saul hurled (swinged, threw – Hebr. tol) the spear. He said (thought): "I will pin David to the wall." [He wanted to pierce David with the spear in the wall, see .] But David dodged him (literally: from his face) twice.
[Here, the usual word for throwing (Hebr. shalach) is not used, but rather the more intense verb for hurling (Hebr. tol). The word is used to describe the wind that is "hurled down" and creates a mighty storm in . The choice of words describes Saul's uncontrolled behavior as he hurls the spear with all his might at David in his anger. These are Saul's first two attempts to kill David. Not just once, but twice, he hurls his spear. David's willingness to remain in the room long enough for Saul to retrieve the spear after the first failed assassination attempt indicates courage and a willingness to help Saul overcome his torment. In total, Saul tries to kill David 14 times, see also , ; , , , , , , ; ; . Fourteen is also the Hebrew numerical value of David's name.]
And Saul was afraid of David because the Lord (Yahweh) was with him, but had left (departed from) Saul.
Therefore Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people.
And when Saul saw that he had great success, he was afraid of him.
And Saul said to David, "Behold, my eldest daughter Merav [meaning: "increase"] I will give to you as a wife, only you are a brave son and fight the battles of the Lord (Yahweh)." For Saul said (thought): "Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him." [Saul expresses his hope that David will be killed. This is Saul's third attempt to kill David.]
But David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel [we are not a well-known family], that I should become the king's son-in-law?"
But when the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David as his wife, she was given to Adriel the Mecholite as his wife.
But Michal [meaning: "Who is like God"], Saul's daughter [the youngest, see ], loved David, and they told Saul, and these words pleased Saul's eyes.
And Saul said (thought), "I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David, "You shall be my son-in-law today by one of these two." [This is Saul's fourth attempt to kill David.]
And Saul commanded his servants, "Speak to David secretly and say, 'Behold, the king has found favor in your eyes, and all his servants love you; therefore now become the king's son-in-law.
And Saul's servants spoke these words in David's ears. And David said, "Is it a small thing for you to become the king's son-in-law? Consider that I am a poor man and of little account."
And Saul's servants told him, saying, "This is what David said."
And Saul said, "Thus shall you say to David: The king's desire is not a dowry, but 100 Philistine foreskins, as vengeance on the king's enemies." For Saul thought that David would fall by the hand of the Philistines.
And David arose and went, he and his men, and slew two hundred men of the Philistines, and David took their foreskins and gave the whole number to the king, to become the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him his daughter Michal as his wife.
[David fulfills the king's wish twice over and gives a double dowry. This shows his devotion and eagerness to become part of the royal family. Saul has no choice but to let Michal marry David.]
And Saul saw and knew (understood very well) that the Lord (Yahweh) was with David. And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him.
And Saul was now even more afraid of David, and Saul was constantly David's enemy.
Then the princes of the Philistines came forward, and it happened that as often as they came forward, David was more successful than all of Saul's servants, so that his name became very influential (respected).
Saul spoke to Jonathan, his son, and to all his servants, that they should [find a way to] kill David. [This is Saul's fifth attempt to kill David.] But Saul's son Jonathan was very fond of (really admired, was very attached to) David.
So Jonathan told David this [warned him] and said, "Saul, my father, is seeking to kill you, therefore I beg you, be on your guard (protect yourself) tomorrow. Stay in a secluded place and hide.
And Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, for he has not sinned against you, and his work has been very good for you [and for the whole kingdom].
And Saul listened to Jonathan's voice (took his words to heart) and Saul promised (swore an oath): "As the Lord (Yahweh) lives, he shall not be put to death."
Jonathan called David and told him everything that had been said. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before [and served both militarily and with music, see verses 8-9].
And an evil spirit from the Lord (Yahweh) was upon Saul [again, see ] as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was playing [the lyre] with his hand. [Sitting with "his spear in his hand," fully prepared for war inside his own palace, shows Saul's fear and mental imbalance. David was well aware of Saul's previous outbursts, see , and was prepared.]
And Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David slipped away from Saul's sight (face), and he struck the spear into the wall, and David fled [to his house] and escaped that night. [Saul's sixth attempt to kill David.]
Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch it and then kill him in the morning. [Saul's seventh attempt to kill David.] But Michal, David's wife, told him [as her brother Jonathan had done] and said, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed."
And when Saul sent messengers to take David [to the king], she said, "He is sick."
[When Saul heard this, he gave a new order.] Saul sent the messengers back to see David and said, "Bring him here in his bed so that I may kill him." [This is Saul's eighth attempt to kill David. Saul was still in the same manic state as the night before. If David was too sick to walk on his own to be killed, then he had to be brought "in his bed" to be killed.]
Saul said to Michal, "Why have you [my own daughter] deceived me and let my enemy [David] go, so that he could escape?"
Michal replied to Saul, "He [David] said to me, 'Let me go, why should I kill you? [The expression is interpreted as a threat from David to kill Michal.]"
[Saul calls David "his enemy." Michal pretends that David threatened her and lies about what happened. No one could question her, and this gave Saul even more reason to kill David, since he had threatened a member of the royal family.]
Now David had fled and escaped. He went to Samuel in Ramah [3 km east of Gibeah] and told him everything Saul had done to him. He and Samuel went [together, which describes their fellowship] and stayed in Naioth [the tent camps at the school of the prophets in Ramah].
[Naioth is only used in this chapter and is probably not a city, but describes a campsite in Ramah. Hebrew nave is used for shepherd's tents and navah is dwelling and also field. It is probably the name of the area where Samuel's school of prophets was located. Probably the same place mentioned in with a dining room that could seat 30 people.]
And they told Saul, saying, "Behold, David is in Naioth [the tent camps, in Samuel's dwelling] in Ramah."
Then Saul sent messengers to take David. But when they saw the company of prophets prophesying and Samuel standing as head (leader) over them, the Spirit of God (Elohim) came upon Saul's messengers, and they also prophesied.
When this was reported to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers a third time, and they also prophesied. [The Hebrew word for prophesying, nava, refers to speaking inspired by God, proclaiming His word, praising and glorifying His name, not just predicting the future.]
And he [Saul] also took off his [royal] clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel, and he lay down naked [without his royal clothes] all day and all night. Therefore, people say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
[Three times the Spirit of God had come upon the messengers. But Saul did not understand that God was with David, so he went to Ramah himself to personally kill David. This is the twelfth attempt to kill David. It is unlikely that Saul stripped naked; instead, he took off his royal clothes, see . God humbled Saul. The story shows that it is possible to have spiritual experiences, but it requires repentance and a true surrender to transform one's life. The phrase "Is Saul also among the prophets?" is also found in .]
And the king sat on his chair as at other times, on his chair by the wall, and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty.
But Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to him, so that he is unclean; he is surely unclean."
And it came to pass on the morning after the new moon, which was the second day, that David's place was empty, and Saul said to Jonathan, "Why has the son of Jesse [David] not come to the meal, either yesterday or today?"
And Jonathan answered Saul, "David asked me for permission to leave to go to Bethlehem,
And Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a rebellious rebel, did I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?
And Jonathan answered Saul his father and said, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"
And Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him down. Therefore Jonathan knew that his father had determined to kill David.
Now one of Saul's servants was there that day, confined (prevented, confined) before the Lord (Yahweh), and his name was Doeg, the Edomite, the leader of Saul's shepherds.
[Doeg may have taken a Nazirite vow, or it may be the Sabbath, which prevented him from doing anything that day. Eventually, he will tell Saul that David was here and killed all the priests, see , , ; .]
And David arose and fled that day from Saul and came to Achish, king of Gath. [He flees to his arch-enemy Achish, and with him he takes the sword that belonged to Achish's dead hero Goliath.]
And Achish's servants said to him, "Is this not David, the king of the land? Do they not sing of him in their dances, saying,
Saul has slain his 1,000,
and (but) David his 10,000?" []
And Saul heard that David had been found and that the men were with him. Saul was now sitting in [his hometown, see ] Gibeah under the tamarisk tree on the hill (Hebr. ramah) with his spear in his hand [as a scepter], and all his servants were standing around him.
[Saul performed his royal duties outdoors, which was not unusual, see ; . The tamarisk tree grew in desert landscapes and was an unusual sight in the mountainous region around Gibeah. Perhaps this was a place of worship. Saul had previously ordered David to be killed, see . When he now hears where David is, he gets excited and bursts out to all his men around him. He calls them "sons of Benjamin," which indicates that he had placed people from his own tribe in leading positions. He now alludes to their loyalty to his tribe and their greed.]
And Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Listen, I beg you, sons of Benjamin, should the son of Jesse [from the tribe of Judah] give fields and vineyards to all of you, should he make you leaders over 1,000 and leaders over 100,
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was set over Saul's servants, answered and said, "I saw the son of Jesse [David] come to Nov [a Levitical city just northeast of Jerusalem on Mount Scopus, see ], to Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub. [; ]
And Saul said, "Listen, I beg you, son of Ahitub."
He replied, "Here I am, my lord." [Here I am – Hebr. hineni, meaning "I am at your disposal" or "I am ready to take responsibility," see .]
And Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, when you gave him bread and a sword and asked God (Elohim) for him, so that he might rise up against me and lie in ambush as he does today?"
And Ebiathar told David that Saul had struck down the priests of the Lord (Yahweh).
Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when the Edomite Doeg was there, that he would surely tell Saul []. I have brought death upon all the souls of your father's house.
And it was told Saul that David had come to Qila, and Saul said, "God (Elohim) has delivered him into my hand, for he is trapped when he has entered a city that has gates and bars."
And Saul called all the people to battle, to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.
But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him, and he said to the priest Ahimelech, "Bring the ephod [the priest's sacred vest]."
And David said, "Lord (Yahweh), God of Israel (Elohim), your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Qila to destroy the city for my sake.
Will the men of Qila deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? Lord (Yahweh), God of Israel (Elohim), I beg you (appeal) to tell your servant."
Then the Lord (Yahweh) said, "He will come down."
David asked again, "Will the men of Qila deliver me into Saul's hand?" And the Lord (Yahweh) answered, "They will deliver you into his hand (hand you over)."
Then David and his men, who were about 600, got up and left Qila and went wherever they could go. And it was reported to Saul that David had fled from Qila, and he did not continue on his way.
And David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds [natural strongholds, caves, and cliffs that provided shelter—Hebr. masad; the same word as the famous ancient fortress Masada in the Negev desert] and remained in the mountains in the wilderness of Ziph. [Tel Sif is located just south of Hebron, a barren area with few inhabitants, where it is easy to hide.] And Saul sought him every day, but God (Elohim) did not deliver him into his hand.
And David saw that Saul came out to seek his life, and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the forest.
And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the forest and strengthened (Hebr. chazaq) his hand in God (Elohim). [Jonathan urged David to be confident and courageous in the certainty that God is with him. The Lord uses the same word (Hebr. chazaq) when he encourages Joshua, see , , .]
And he said to him, "Do not be afraid, for the hand of my father Saul will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you. And my father Saul knows this too."
But some Ziphites [a clan from the town of Ziph, just southeast of Hebron] went up to Saul in [his hometown] Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds (mountain strongholds – Hebr. masad) in the forest, on the hills of Chachila, which are in the south of Jeshimon?
And Saul said, "Blessed are you by the Lord (Yahweh) for you have compassion on me.
So they got up and went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.
And Saul and his men went to search for him. And they told David, so he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.
And Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain, and David hurried to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men on all sides to capture them.
But a messenger came to Saul and said, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land."
And Saul returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called the place Sela-Machelqot. [Sela means steep rock, and Machelqot means divided. The place is in the wilderness of Maon, southeast of Hebron.]
And it came to pass, when Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, that they told him, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-Gedi."
And Saul took 3,000 chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
And he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself [literally: "cover his feet"; the same expression is used in about Eglon]. And David and his men were sitting in the innermost part of the cave.
And David's men said [whispered] to him, "Behold, the day when the Lord (Yahweh) said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemies into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you,'" and David arose and cut off the corner of Saul's robe secretly (without him noticing).
But afterward, David's heart smote him because he had cut off Saul's corner [the corner or tassel of his robe].
And David persuaded his men with these words and did not let them rise up against Saul. And Saul rose up from the cave and went on his way.
And David rose up after him and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, "My lord the king." And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and humbled himself.
And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the word of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?
And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
David swore to Saul, and Saul went home. But David and his men went up to the stronghold (Hebr. matsodah) [in Ein-Gedi, see ].
But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David's wife, to Palti, the son of Laish, who was from Gallim.
The Ziphites [a clan from the town of Ziph, just southeast of Hebron] came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is David not hiding among the hills of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?"
And Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and took with him 3,000 chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
And Saul encamped among the hills of Hachilah, which are before Jeshimon, by the way. But David remained in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
So David sent out spies and learned that Saul had come with a specific purpose.
Then David got up and went to the place where Saul had camped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and [also] Abner, the son of Ner, the commander of the army. Saul lay inside the barricade, and the people camped around him.
So David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down with me to Saul at the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you."
So David and Avishai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul was lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Avner and the people were lying around him.
And David took the spear and the water jug from Saul's head, and they carried them away, and no one saw it, no one knew it, nor did anyone wake up, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord (Yahweh) had fallen upon them.
And Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" David replied, "It is my voice, my lord the king."
And Saul said, "I have sinned; return, my son David, for I will no longer harm you, since my life is precious in your eyes today. See, I have been a fool and have greatly erred."
And Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David, (you shall) be mighty and victorious." David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.
But David [was tired of constantly having to flee from Saul and] said in his heart (thought to himself): "One day I will be swept away (removed) by Saul's hand. There is nothing better for me than to flee to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up (grow weary of) searching for me throughout the borders of Israel, and I will escape his hand."
And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, and he sought no more for him.
Samuel was now dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. Saul had removed (forbidden, eradicated) all the diviners who consulted spirits (demons) or family spirits (spiritists) from the land. [; ]
And the Philistines gathered themselves together and came and encamped at Shunem, and
Saul gathered all Israel together and they encamped at
[Mount] Gilboa.
And when Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled.
And when Saul asked God (El), the Lord (Yahweh) did not answer him. Not in dreams, not with the Urim [used by the high priest to receive answers from God, see ], not through prophets.
Then
Saul said to his servant, "Find me a woman who can consult a spirit, so that I may go to her and ask her."
And his servant answered him, "Behold, there is a woman who consults a spirit in
Ein-Dor."
[The servant knew immediately about this woman who used black magic, necromancy, and spirit conjuring to speak with spirits. Ein-Dor is probably Tell Tsaftaafot, just a few kilometers south of Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley.]And Saul disguised himself (made himself unrecognizable) and put on other clothes and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman at night, and he said, "Look for me, I beg you, through a spirit and conjure up for me whoever I name to you."
And the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off (exterminated) those who practice divination (seer) through a spirit (demon) or a familiar spirit from the land. Why are you laying a snare for my life that will bring about my death?"
And Saul promised (swore an oath) to her by the Lord (Yahweh) and said, "As the Lord (Yahweh) lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this."
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice, and the woman spoke to Saul and said, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul."
And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a godly being coming up out of the earth."
He asked her, "What does he look like?"
She replied, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a cloak." And Saul understood that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and humbled himself.
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?" Saul replied, "I am very distressed, for the Philistines are fighting against me, and God (Elohim) has forsaken me and no longer answers me, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore, I have called upon you so that I may know what to do.
And Saul fell full length on the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel's words. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day or all night. [Saul had apparently fasted in preparation for this visit. Ironically, he practiced religious devotion in order to break God's commandment.]
And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was very frightened, and said to him, "Behold, your servant has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in your hand and have listened to the words that you have spoken to me.
and she set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went on their way that night.
The leaders of the Philistines asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish replied to the leaders of the Philistines, "Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel? He has been with me for over a year (literally: 'days even years'), and I have found no fault in him since he came to me to this day?"
Is not this David the one they sing about to one another in the dance, saying, 'Saul has slain his 1,000, and David his 10,000'? [1 Sam. 18:7]
And the Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons, and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons.
And the battle was fierce against Saul, and the archers overtook him, and he was in great distress because of the archers.
And Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and pierce me with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and pierce me and mock me." But the armor-bearer would not, for he was very afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell upon it.
And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he did the same and fell on his sword and died with him.
So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.
And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those who were beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.
And it came to pass in the morning, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
all the mighty men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-Shean, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.
[The story continues from , the year is about 1010 BC.] After
Saul's
[the first king of Israel] death, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, David stayed two days in
Ziklag.
[] On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp [in the Valley of Jezreel] with his clothes torn and dirt on his head [two clear signs of mourning]. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and bowed down.
[The distance between Saul's camp in Gilboa in the Valley of Jezreel down to the Negev area around Beersheba is just over 200 km, usually a 4-5 day walk, but the reference to the third day suggests that he moved quickly with this urgent news.]
David asked him, "How are things [in the war against the Philistines in the north]? Please tell me!"
He replied, "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people have also fallen and died, and Saul and Jonathan, his son, are also dead."
David asked the young man who told him this, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan, his son, are dead?"
The young man who told him this replied, "When I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, I saw Saul leaning on his spear, and the chariots and horsemen were closing in on him.
And they lamented and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord (Yahweh) and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
And David lamented (mourned; sang monotonously and drawn out – Hebr. qinen) this lament (Hebr. qina) over Saul and over Jonathan, his son,
Mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew,
no rain upon you,
no fields of choice fruit,
for there the shield of the mighty was cast away,
the shield of Saul, without being anointed with oil.
From the blood of the slain,
from the fat (human flesh) of the mighty,
Jonathan's bow does not return,
and Saul's sword did not return empty.
Saul and Jonathan,
beloved and beautiful in their lives,
even in their death they were not separated,
they were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
Daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul
who clothed you in scarlet [the most precious color; luxurious clothing] and splendor (jewels, jewelry; joy – Hebr. eden)
and put gold ornaments on your clothes.
The men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
And they told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh-Gilead were the ones who buried Saul."
And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-Gilead, saying to them, "Blessed are you by the Lord (Yahweh) for showing kindness (caring love—Hebr. chesed) to your lord, to Saul, and for burying him.
Now let your hands be strong (take courage and act decisively) and be sons of valor, for your lord Saul is dead, but the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
But Abner, the son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth, Saul's [youngest] son, and brought him over to Mahanaim,
Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, was 40 years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
[The name Ish-Bosheth means "man of shame"; in the Books of Chronicles he is called Eshbaal, which means "Baal is there" (). He is not an anointed king, but someone appointed as king over all eleven tribes, except Judah, where David reigns. For two years, there is a temporary division into a Northern and Southern Kingdom before David unites the nation again.]
And [Saul's commander] Abner, the son of Ner, together with the servants of Saul's [youngest] son Ish-Bosheth, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And they stood up and crossed over in equal numbers:
Twelve for Benjamin and for Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son,
and twelve of David's servants.
And there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, and the house of David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
And it came to pass, when there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner proved himself strong (firm, secure, brave) in the house of Saul.
And Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, and he [Ish-Bosheth] said to Abner, "Why did you go in to my father's concubine?"
And Abner was very angry at Ish-Bosheth's words and said, "Am I a dog's head belonging to Judah? Today I have shown kindness (caring love – Hebr. chesed) to your father Saul's house, to your brothers and to his friends, and have not given you into David's hand, and you accuse me today of a sin with this woman!
to remove the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up David's throne over Israel and over Judah from Dan to Beersheba."
So he [David] replied, "Good, I will make a covenant with you, but I ask one thing of you, that you do not come before me until you have first brought Michal, Saul's daughter, and then you may come and see my face."
[Michal loved David () and first became David's wife as a reward for him defeating Goliath, but then he had to win her with 100 foreskins (). After that, Saul changed his mind and gave her to another man (Palti, see ). Now David wants his wife back.]
Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for 100 Philistine foreskins." [David and Michal had not divorced, and the bride price (equivalent) had not been returned, so she was still his wife, see .]
And when Saul's son [Ish-Bosheth, who ruled the 11 tribes (except Judah) from the city of Machanajim on the east side of the Jordan River, see ] heard that Abner [his commander] was dead in Hebron, his hands became weak (he lost both strength and courage) and all the Israelites were dismayed. [Abner had been murdered by Joab, see . The opposite expression, "strengthened hands," is found in .]
But Saul's son [Ish-Bosheth] had two men who were leaders of (separate) bands of robbers. [They had positions and duties similar to those of Joab in David's army, see .]
The name of one was Baana [meaning: "to torment"]
and the name of the other was Rechav [meaning: "one who rides"],
they were sons of Rimmon, the Beerothite of the tribe of Benjamin. For Beeroth was also counted among Benjamin,
[In this verse, which is a parenthesis, Jonathan's son Mephibosheth is introduced.] Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in both feet. He was 5 years old when the report from Jezreel came about Saul and Jonathan. [Both Mephibosheth's father and grandfather had died in the battle of Gilboa in the valley of Jezreel, see . Mephibosheth's (Israel's heir to the throne) life was now at stake, as all potential successors were usually eliminated by new rulers.] His nurse [who was responsible for Mephibosheth when Jonathan went into battle] picked him up and fled, but during the chaotic escape he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
[Although the details are not given here, it is likely that the Philistines took control of the entire region and were heading south to plunder Saul's capital, Gibeah (; , just north of Jerusalem), where Mephibosheth was located. The text gives no details about how he fell; perhaps they jumped from a wall and he broke his legs, or suffered nerve damage to his neck that left him lame. Regardless, this must have created deep feelings of guilt in the nurse, who in a difficult situation tried to protect him, but an accident occurred and the child became disabled. The name Mephibosheth means "crushes shame"; outside the Books of Samuel, he is also called Merib-Baal, see ; . The mention of Mephibosheth here also has a literary point; in the next verse, it is mentioned how Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, which means "man of shame," dies. The author wants to give hope; the shame will be crushed. Mephibosheth will play a decisive role in future events, see ; ; .]
And they brought Ish-Bosheth's head to David in Hebron and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, your enemy who sought your life, and the Lord (Yahweh) has avenged my lord the king on Saul this day and on his seed (descendants)."
[The last time anyone brought a head before the king was when David brought Goliath's head before Saul, see . David was rewarded with a position with the king and in the royal family, and was also exempted from taxes, see . Rechab and Baanah probably expected a similar reward.]
When someone told me and said, See,
Saul is dead,' and he thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in
Ziklag [in the southern part of Judah in the Negev desert], instead of rewarding him for his news
[].
Long ago, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and brought it in [, , ]. And the Lord (Yahweh) said to you, 'You shall feed (shepherd; be a shepherd to – Hebr. raah) my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.
And it came to pass, when the ark of the Lord (Yahweh) came into the city of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord (Yahweh), and she despised him in her heart.
Then David returned to bless his own household. And Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel has honored himself today, who has uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids, like one of the vain men who shamelessly uncover themselves!"
[David was not naked; he had taken off his royal robe in humility before God, see , and was like one of the people, which annoyed Michal because she enjoyed the status of being the king's wife.]
And Michal, Saul's daughter, had no children until the day of her death.
But my mercy (loving kindness) will not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. []
And David said, "Is there anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness (loving care – Hebr. chesed) for Jonathan's sake?"
Now there was a servant of Saul's house named Ziba, and they called him to David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Your servant is he."
The king asked, "Is there anyone left of Saul's house (family) so that I may show God's (Elohim's) kindness (Hebr. chesed) to him?" Ziba answered the king, "Jonathan still has a son who is crippled in both feet."
And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself on the ground. But David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Here is your servant."
And David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness (Hebr. chesed) for the sake of Jonathan your father. I will restore all the land of your father Saul, and you shall always eat bread at my table."
Then the king called for Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given all that belonged to Saul and his whole house to your master's son.
Nathan said to David, "You are that man. Thus says the Lord (Yahweh), the God of Israel (Elohim): I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul,
And David came to Bahurim. Behold, there came out a man of the family of Saul's house, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out and cursed continually as he came.
The Lord (Yahweh) has brought upon you the blood of Saul's house, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord (Yahweh) has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Avshalom, and behold, you are caught in your own wickedness, for you are a man of blood."
And there were 1,000 men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba, the servant of the house, and his 15 sons and his 12 servants with him. And they hurried down to the Jordan [and crossed it] before the king.
And Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson (son), came down to meet the king [David], and he had not put shoes on his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came home in peace (shalom).
And there was a famine in the days of David, three years, year after year, and David sought the face of the Lord (Yahweh). And the Lord (Yahweh) said, "It is because of Saul and the blood of his house, because he killed the Gibeonites."
And the king called the Gibeonites and said to them, "The Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel, but were a remnant of the Amorites, and the sons of Israel had sworn to them, but Saul sought to kill them in his zeal for the sons of Israel and Judah.
And the Gibeonites said to him, "It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house. Nor is it our business to kill any man in Israel." And he said, "What do you say I should do for you?"
let seven men of his sons be given to us, and we will hang them up to the Lord (Yahweh) in Saul's Gibeah, the Lord's (Yahweh's) chosen one." So the king said, "I will give them to you."
But the king saved Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, Saul's son, because of the oath of the Lord (Yahweh) between them, between David and Jonathan, Saul's son.
And the king took the two sons of Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth, and the five sons of Saul's daughter Michal, whom she bore to Adriel, the son of Barzillai the Meholathite,
And they told David what Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done.
And David went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-Gilead, who had stolen them from the open place at Beth-Shan, where the Philistines had hung them, on the day the Philistines struck Saul at Gilboa.
And he brought them up from there, the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and gathered the bones of those who were hanged.
And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish. And they did all that the king commanded. And afterward, God (Elohim) was propitiated toward the land.
David spoke to the Lord (Yahweh), the words of this song, on the day when the Lord saved him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
[This song is also found as a psalm, see .
Some differences:
hand – Hebr. Kaf , jad in .
cry – Hebr. qara , sawa in
rock besides – mibbalade" , zulati in .
Structure: The song is structured as a chiasm on several levels.
A Introductory praise, verses 2-7
B God's intervention, verses 8-20
C God's faithfulness, verses 21-30
B´ God gives strength, verses 31-46
A´ Concluding praise, verses 47-51]
But in Saul's time they waged war against the Hagarites [Arabs descended from Abraham's concubine Hagar, see ; ], who fell by their hand. Then they settled in their tents along the entire eastern side of Gilead.
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Avinadav, and Eshbaal [Ish-Boshet, see ].
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
The Philistines pressed hard against Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.
As the battle raged around Saul and the archers found him, he was severely wounded by the archers.
He [Saul] said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and pierce me, lest these uncircumcised men come and mock me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he was very afraid. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died.
So Saul and his three sons died. All who belonged to his house died at the same time.
When all the Israelites in the valley saw that their army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. Then the Philistines came and settled in them.
The next day, the Philistines came to plunder the slain, and they found Saul and his sons lying on Mount Gilboa.
When the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead [20 km east of Beit-Shean] heard about all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
all the men of valor arose and took the dead bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the terebinth tree in Jabesh and fasted for seven days.
Such was the death of Saul, because he had been unfaithful to the Lord (Yahweh). He had not kept the Lord's prov, and had also consulted a spirit medium [] to get answers.
Long ago, when Saul was still king, it was you [David] who was the leader and commander of Israel. And the Lord (Yahweh), your God (Elohim), has said to you: You shall feed (shepherd; be a shepherd for – Hebr. raah) my people Israel, you shall be a prince over my people Israel."
These were the ones who came to David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul, the son of Kish. They were among the heroes who helped him during the war.
They were armed with bows and skilled in slinging stones and shooting arrows from bows with either their right or left hands.
From Saul's kinsmen, the Benjaminites, came the following:
Some of Manasseh defected to David when he went out with the Philistines to fight Saul. But David and his men were not allowed to help the Philistines, for the princes of the Philistines consulted together and sent him away, saying, "He will cost us our heads if he goes over to his master Saul!"
This is the number of the armed warriors who came to David at Hebron to transfer Saul's kingship to him, as the Lord commanded:
of the sons of Benjamin, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000—for at that time most of them still held fast to the house of Saul—
Let us bring the ark of our God to us, for we did not inquire after it in the days of Saul."
When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to David's city, Saul's daughter Michal looked out the window, and when she saw King David leaping and dancing, she despised him in her heart. [A longer description is found in 2 Sam. 6:16, 20, 23.]
And likewise all that the seer Samuel and Saul, son of Kish, and Abner, son of Ner, and Joab, son of Zeruiah, had consecrated. Everyone who consecrated anything left it in the care of Shelomith and his brothers.
He [David] said [begins this song of freedom with the following words, see ]:
I want to love you deeply (embrace me as your child, I need to feel your closeness)!
[David does not use the usual Hebrew word for love, ahav, but racham, which is otherwise always used to describe how God loves man by showing compassion and mercy. The first time racham is used is in , where Moses sees God's glory and God has mercy on him. How can David have mercy on God? We gain a deeper understanding when the word is also used to describe the heartfelt love and care a mother has for her child, see , i.e. through the closeness and bonds that develop when a parent gives their child physical closeness. With this word, David describes his inner longing and his deep need to be close to his heavenly Father.]
Lord (Yahweh),
my strength (source of power).
Your tongue devises destruction,
it works deceitfully like a sharp sword.
God (Elohim), hear my prayer,
listen to (give ear to) the words of my mouth.
Be gracious to me (show me favor; show me undeserved love), God (Elohim), be gracious to me
– for in you my soul (my whole being) has taken refuge (trusted; sought protection and hope)
and under (in) the shadow of your wings I will take refuge [; ]
until the dangers (misfortunes, troubles, misdeeds) have passed.
[Unlike , "be gracious to me" is repeated once more here, reinforcing David's plea for mercy. The verb "take refuge" is also used twice. First in the perfect tense, "have taken refuge," which probably describes a completed action with an ongoing result—David has his safety and security with the Lord (Yahweh). When the verb is repeated, it is in the imperfect tense, which in Hebrew is often used to describe the future tense "I will take refuge" – together, this expresses hope for constant refuge. There is also an association with the wings of the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat in the tabernacle, see also ; ; ; ; .]
Rescue (snatch away) me from my enemies, my God (Elohim),
protect me (set me on high), far from those who rise up against me.
They have crossed the pass [at Michmas, see ],
they have set up their tents in Geva.
Rama trembles (shakes).
Giva-Shaol has fled. [] [Two different spellings are used here for the same place, Geva/Giva. The word means hill and is Saul's hometown, which is emphasized in the name Giva-Shaol. The most common form is the feminine Giva, but here the masculine form Geva is used first.]
They asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for a period of 40 years.
