Holman Christian Standard Bible (87 page)

29
 Jonathan replied, “My father has brought trouble to the land. Just look at how I have renewed energy because I tasted a little honey.
30
 How much better if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been much greater.”

31
 The Israelites struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash all the way to Aijalon. Since the Israelites were completely exhausted,
32
 they rushed to the plunder, took sheep, cattle, and calves, slaughtered them on the ground, and ate meat with the blood still in it.
33
 Some reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the
Lord
by eating meat with the blood still in it.” 

Saul said, “You have been unfaithful. Roll a large stone over here at once.”
34
 He then said, “Go among the troops and say to them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep. Do the slaughtering here and then you can eat. Don't sin against the
Lord
by eating meat with the blood in it.' ” So every one of the troops brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.
35
 Then Saul built an altar to the
Lord
; it was the first time he had built an altar to the
Lord
. 

36
 Saul said, “Let's go down after the Philistines tonight and plunder them until morning. Don't let even one remain! ”

“Do whatever you want,” the troops replied.

But the priest said, “We must consult God here.” 

37
 So Saul inquired of God, “Should I go after the Philistines? Will You hand them over to Israel? ” But God did not answer him that day. 

38
 Saul said, “All you leaders of the troops, come here. Let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
39
 As surely as the
Lord
lives who saves Israel, even if it is because of my son Jonathan, he must die! ” Not one of the troops answered him.

40
 So he said to all Israel, “You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.”

And the troops replied, “Do whatever you want.” 

41
 So Saul said to the
Lord
, “God of Israel, give us the right decision.”Jonathan and Saul were selected, and the troops were cleared of the charge.

42
 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan,” and Jonathan was selected.
43
 Saul commanded him, “Tell me what you did.” 

Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the staff I was carrying. I am ready to die! ”

44
 Saul declared to him, “May God punish me and do so severely if you do not die, Jonathan! ”

45
 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die, who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? No, as the
Lord
lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he worked with God's help today.” So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.
46
 Then Saul gave up the pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own territory.

Summary of Saul's Kingship

47
 When Saul assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies in every direction: against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he caused havoc. 
48
 He fought bravely, defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hand of those who plundered them.

49
 Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were: Merab, his firstborn, and Michal, the younger.
50
 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul's uncle Ner. 
51
 Saul's father was Kish. Abner's father was Ner son of Abiel.

52
 The conflict with the Philistines was fierce all of Saul's days, so whenever Saul noticed any strong or brave man, he enlisted him. 

1 Samuel

Saul Rejected as King

15
Samuel told Saul, “The
Lord
sent me to anoint you as king over His people Israel. Now, listen to the words of the
Lord
.
2
 This is what the
Lord
of
•Hosts
says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them along the way as they were coming out of Egypt. 
3
 Now go and attack the Amalekites and
•completely
destroy everything they have. Do not spare them. Kill men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.' ” 

4
 Then Saul summoned the troops and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.
5
 Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the
•wadi
.
6
 He warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, go on and leave! Get away from the Amalekites, or I'll sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

7
 Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is next to Egypt.
8
 He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword. 
9
 Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle, and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things.

10
 Then the word of the
Lord
came to Samuel,
11
 “I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” So Samuel became angry and cried out to the
Lord
all night. 

12
 Early in the morning Samuel got up to confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel where he set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and went down to Gilgal.” 
13
 When Samuel came to him, Saul said, “May the
Lord
bless you. I have carried out the
Lord
's instructions.”

14
 Samuel replied, “Then what is this sound of sheep and cattle I hear? ”

15
 Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites and spared the best sheep and cattle in order to offer a sacrifice to the
Lord
your God, but the rest we destroyed.” 

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

“Tell me,” he replied.

17
 Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The
Lord
anointed you king over Israel
18
 and then sent you on a mission and said: ‘Go and completely destroy the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have annihilated them.'
19
 So why didn't you obey the
Lord
? Why did you rush on the plunder and do what was evil in the
Lord
's sight? ”

20
 “But I did obey the
Lord
! ” Saul answered. “I went on the mission the
Lord
gave me: I brought back Agag, king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites.
21
 The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder — the best of what was
•set
apart for destruction — to sacrifice to the
Lord
your God at Gilgal.” 

22
 Then Samuel said:

24
 Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the
Lord
's command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.
25
 Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the
Lord
.”

26
 Samuel replied to Saul, “I will not return with you. Because you rejected the word of the
Lord
, the
Lord
has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27
 When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28
 Samuel said to him, “The
Lord
has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. 
29
 Furthermore, the Eternal One of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not man who changes his mind.” 

30
 Saul said, “I have sinned. Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me so I can bow in worship to the
Lord
your God.” 
31
 Then Samuel went back, following Saul, and Saul bowed down to the
Lord
.

32
 Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of Amalek.”

Agag came to him trembling, for he thought, “Certainly the bitterness of death has come.”

33
 Samuel declared:

Then he hacked Agag to pieces before the
Lord
at Gilgal.

34
 Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.
35
 Even to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the
Lord
regretted He had made Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel

Samuel Anoints David

16
The
Lord
said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons.”

2
 Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me! ”

The
Lord
answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the
Lord
.' 
3
 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you.” 

4
 Samuel did what the
Lord
directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace? ” 

5
 “In peace,” he replied. “I've come to sacrifice to the
Lord
. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6
 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the
Lord
's anointed one is here before Him.”

7
 But the
Lord
said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the
Lord
sees, for man sees what is visible, but the
Lord
sees the heart.” 

8
 Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The
Lord
hasn't chosen this one either,” Samuel said.
9
 Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The
Lord
hasn't chosen this one either.”
10
 After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The
Lord
hasn't chosen any of these.”
11
 Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have? ”

“There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he's tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won't sit down to eat until he gets here.”
12
 So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance. 

Then the
Lord
said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” 
13
 So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the
Lord
took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

David in Saul's Court

14
 Now the Spirit of the
Lord
had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the
Lord
began to torment him,
15
 so Saul's servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16
 Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God troubles you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.” 

17
 Then Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18
 One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the
Lord
is with him.”