The World English Bible (WEB) Part 35

4:11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel: and do you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem: 4:12 and let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which Yahweh shall give you of this young woman. 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son. 4:14 The women said to Naomi, Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. 4:15 He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him. 4:16 Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.

4:17 The women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they named him Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 4:18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, 4:19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab, 4:20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon, 4:21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed, 4:22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.

The First Book of Samuel

1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 1:2 and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 1:3 This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there. 1:4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 1:5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had shut up her womb. 1:6 Her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Yahweh had shut up her womb. 1:7 as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Yahweh, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 1:8 Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why weep you? and why don't you eat? and why is your heart grieved? am I not better to you than ten sons? 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of Yahweh. 1:10 She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, and wept sore. 1:11 She vowed a vow, and said, Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head. 1:12 It happened, as she continued praying before Yahweh, that Eli marked her mouth. 1:13 Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 1:14 Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? put away your wine from you. 1:15 Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. 1:16 Don't count your handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto.

1:17 Then Eli answered, Go in peace; and the G.o.d of Israel grant your pet.i.tion that you have asked of him. 1:18 She said, Let your handmaid find favor in your sight. So the woman went her way, and ate; and her facial expression wasn't sad any more. 1:19 They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her. 1:20 It happened, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Yahweh. 1:21 The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 1:22 But Hannah didn't go up; for she said to her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned; and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and there abide forever. 1:23 Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems you good; wait until you have weaned him; only Yahweh establish his word. So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him. 1:24 When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of Yahweh in Shiloh: and the child was young. 1:25 They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli. 1:26 She said, Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh. 1:27 For this child I prayed; and Yahweh has given me my pet.i.tion which I asked of him: 1:28 therefore also I have granted him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is granted to Yahweh. He worshiped Yahweh there.

2:1 Hannah prayed, and said:

My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2:2 There is no one as holy as Yahweh, For there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our G.o.d. 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly.

Don't let arrogance come out of your mouth, For Yahweh is a G.o.d of knowledge. By him actions are weighed. 2:4 The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are girded with strength. 2:5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes. 2:6 Yahweh kills, and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up. 2:7 Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up. 2:8 He raises up the poor out of the dust.

He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory, for the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's. He has set the world on them. 2:9 He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; for no man shall prevail by strength. 2:10 Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 2:11 Elkanah went to Ramah to his house.

The child did minister to Yahweh before Eli the priest. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were base men; they didn't know Yahweh. 2:13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand; 2:14 and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest took therewith.

So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 2:15 Yes, before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man who sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have boiled flesh of you, but raw. 2:16 If the man said to him, They will surely burn the fat first, and then take as much as your soul desires; then he would say, No, but you shall give it to me now: and if not, I will take it by force. 2:17 The sin of the young men was very great before Yahweh; for the men despised the offering of Yahweh. 2:18 But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 2:19 Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 2:20 Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Yahweh give you seed of this woman for the pet.i.tion which was asked of Yahweh. They went to their own home. 2:21 Yahweh visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before Yahweh. 2:22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how that they lay with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 2:23 He said to them, Why do you such things? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people. 2:24 No, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: you make Yahweh's people to disobey. 2:25 If one man sin against another, G.o.d shall judge him; but if a man sin against Yahweh, who shall entreat for him?

Notwithstanding, they didn't listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh was minded to kill them. 2:26 The child Samuel grew on, and increased in favor both with Yahweh, and also with men. 2:27 There came a man of G.o.d to Eli, and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, Did I reveal myself to the house of your father, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? 2:28 and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? 2:29 Why kick you at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honor your sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel my people? 2:30 Therefore Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, says, I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever: but now Yahweh says, Be it far from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 2:31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house. 2:32 You shall see the affliction of my habitation, in all the wealth which G.o.d shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 2:33 The man of yours, whom I shall not cut off from my altar, shall be to consume your eyes, and to grieve your heart; and all the increase of your house shall die in the flower of their age. 2:34 This shall be the sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them. 2:35 I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before my anointed forever. 2:36 It shall happen, that everyone who is left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, Please put me into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread.

3:1 The child Samuel ministered to Yahweh before Eli. The word of Yahweh was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision. 3:2 It happened at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place (now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see), 3:3 and the lamp of G.o.d hadn't yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down to sleep, in the temple of Yahweh, where the ark of G.o.d was; 3:4 that Yahweh called Samuel; and he said, Here am I. 3:5 He ran to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He said, I didn't call; lie down again. He went and lay down. 3:6 Yahweh called yet again, Samuel. Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. He answered, I didn't call, my son; lie down again. 3:7 Now Samuel didn't yet know Yahweh, neither was the word of Yahweh yet revealed to him. 3:8 Yahweh called Samuel again the third time. He arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. Eli perceived that Yahweh had called the child. 3:9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call you, that you shall say, Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 3:10 Yahweh came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak; for your servant hears. 3:11 Yahweh said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle. 3:12 In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end. 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons did bring a curse on themselves, and he didn't restrain them. 3:14 Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated with sacrifice nor offering forever. 3:15 Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of Yahweh. Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. He said, Here am I. 3:17 He said, "What is the thing that Yahweh has spoken to you? Please don't hide it from me. G.o.d do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that he spoke to you."

3:18 Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. He said, It is Yahweh: let him do what seems him good. 3:19 Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 3:20 All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh. 3:21 Yahweh appeared again in Shiloh; for Yahweh revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Yahweh.

4:1 The word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and encamped beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 4:2 The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was struck before the Philistines; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men. 4:3 When the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Why has Yahweh struck us today before the Philistines? Let us get the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of Shiloh to us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4:4 So the people sent to Shiloh; and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of Armies, who sits above the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of G.o.d. 4:5 When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 4:6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What means the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? They understood that the ark of Yahweh was come into the camp. 4:7 The Philistines were afraid, for they said, G.o.d is come into the camp. They said, Woe to us! for there has not been such a thing heretofore. 4:8 Woe to us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty G.o.ds? these are the G.o.ds that struck the Egyptians with all manner of plagues in the wilderness. 4:9 Be strong, and behave yourselves like men, O you Philistines, that you not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

4:10 The Philistines fought, and Israel was struck, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 4:11 The ark of G.o.d was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. 4:12 There ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head. 4:13 When he came, behold, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of G.o.d. When the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out. 4:14 When Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What means the noise of this tumult? The man hurried, and came and told Eli. 4:15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, so that he could not see. 4:16 The man said to Eli, I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army. He said, How went the matter, my son? 4:17 He who brought the news answered, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of G.o.d is taken. 4:18 It happened, when he made mention of the ark of G.o.d, that Eli fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy.

He had judged Israel forty years. 4:19 His daughter-in-law, Phinehas'

wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the news that the ark of G.o.d was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and brought forth; for her pains came on her. 4:20 About the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, Don't be afraid; for you have brought forth a son. But she didn't answer, neither did she regard it. 4:21 She named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel; because the ark of G.o.d was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 4:22 She said, The glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of G.o.d is taken.

5:1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of G.o.d, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 5:2 The Philistines took the ark of G.o.d, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. 5:3 When they of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again. 5:4 When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off on the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day. 5:6 But the hand of Yahweh was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders. 5:7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the G.o.d of Israel shall not abide with us; for his hand is sore on us, and on Dagon our G.o.d. 5:8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the G.o.d of Israel? They answered, Let the ark of the G.o.d of Israel be carried about to Gath. They carried the ark of the G.o.d of Israel there. 5:9 It was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of Yahweh was against the city with a very great confusion: and he struck the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them. 5:10 So they sent the ark of G.o.d to Ekron. It happened, as the ark of G.o.d came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the G.o.d of Israel to us, to kill us and our people. 5:11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, Send away the ark of the G.o.d of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people. For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city; the hand of G.o.d was very heavy there. 5:12 The men who didn't die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

6:1 The ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 6:2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Show us with which we shall send it to its place."

6:3 They said, "If you send away the ark of the G.o.d of Israel, don't send it empty; but by all means return him a trespa.s.s offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you."

6:4 Then they said, "What shall be the trespa.s.s offering which we shall return to him?"

They said, "Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. 6:5 Therefore you shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the G.o.d of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your G.o.ds, and from off your land. 6:6 Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?

When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn't they let the people go, and they departed? 6:7 Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespa.s.s offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go. 6:9 Behold; if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us."

6:10 The men did so, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home; 6:11 and they put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors. 6:12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn't turn aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. 6:13 They of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 6:14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 6:15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh, and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Yahweh. 6:16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. 6:17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespa.s.s offering to Yahweh: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one; 6:18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone, whereon they set down the ark of Yahweh, which stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh. 6:19 He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh, he struck of the people fifty thousand seventy men; and the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter. 6:20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy G.o.d? and to whom shall he go up from us? 6:21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come you down, and bring it up to you.

7:1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Yahweh, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Yahweh. 7:2 It happened, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath Jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh. 7:3 Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign G.o.ds and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Yahweh only. 7:5 Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Yahweh." 7:6 They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against Yahweh."

Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 7:8 The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don't cease to cry to Yahweh our G.o.d for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines." 7:9 Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him.

7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel. 7:11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar. 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto has Yahweh helped us.

7:13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 7:14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and its border did Israel deliver out of the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites. 7:15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 7:16 He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. 7:17 His return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar to Yahweh.

8:1 It happened, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beersheba. 8:3 His sons didn't walk in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice. 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah; 8:5 and they said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons don't walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. Samuel prayed to Yahweh. 8:7 Yahweh said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them. 8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other G.o.ds, so do they also to you. 8:9 Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the manner of the king who shall reign over them. 8:10 Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who asked of him a king. 8:11 He said, This will be the manner of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his hors.e.m.e.n; and they shall run before his chariots; 8:12 and he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots. 8:13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. 8:14 He will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive groves, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. 8:15 He will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. 8:16 He will take your male servants, and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 8:17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants. 8:18 You shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.

8:19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No: but we will have a king over us, 8:20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. 8:21 Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehea.r.s.ed them in the ears of Yahweh. 8:22 Yahweh said to Samuel, Listen to their voice, and make them a king. Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go you every man to his city.

9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. 9:2 He had a son, whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 9:3 The donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys. 9:4 He pa.s.sed through the hill country of Ephraim, and pa.s.sed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn't find them: then they pa.s.sed through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren't there: and he pa.s.sed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn't find them. 9:5 When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the donkeys, and be anxious for us. 9:6 He said to him, See now, there is in this city a man of G.o.d, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes surely to pa.s.s: now let us go there; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go. 9:7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of G.o.d: what have we? 9:8 The servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of G.o.d, to tell us our way. 9:9 (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of G.o.d, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a prophet was before called a Seer.) 9:10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of G.o.d was. 9:11 As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here? 9:12 They answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he is come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place: 9:13 as soon as you are come into the city, you shall immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he does bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat who are invited. Now therefore get you up; for at this time you shall find him. 9:14 They went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place. 9:15 Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, 9:16 Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry is come to me. 9:17 When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people. 9:18 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is. 9:19 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 in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart. 9:20 As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don't set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father's house? 9:21 Saul answered, Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? why then speak you to me after this manner? 9:22 Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. 9:23 Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you. 9:24 The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, Behold, that which has been reserved! set it before you and eat; because to the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 9:25 When they were come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. 9:26 They arose early: and it happened about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send you away. Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad. 9:27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pa.s.s on before us (and he pa.s.sed on), but stand you still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of G.o.d.

10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, Isn't it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over his inheritance? 10:2 When you are departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rachel's tomb, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will tell you, The donkeys which you went to seek are found; and behold, your father has left off caring for the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 10:3 Then you shall go on forward from there, and you shall come to the oak of Tabor; and there shall meet you there three men going up to G.o.d to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 10:4 and they will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive of their hand.

10:5 After that you shall come to the hill of G.o.d, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall happen, when you are come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tambourine, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they will be prophesying: 10:6 and the Spirit of Yahweh will come mightily on you, and you shall prophesy with them, and shall be turned into another man. 10:7 Let it be, when these signs are come to you, that you do as occasion shall serve you; for G.o.d is with you. 10:8 You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: you shall wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what you shall do. 10:9 It was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, G.o.d gave him another heart: and all those signs happened that day. 10:10 When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the Spirit of G.o.d came mightily on him, and he prophesied among them. 10:11 It happened, when all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? 10:12 One of the same place answered, Who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets? 10:13 When he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. 10:14 Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Where went you? He said, To seek the donkeys; and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel. 10:15 Saul's uncle said, Tell me, Please, what Samuel said to you. 10:16 Saul said to his uncle, He told us plainly that the donkeys were found. But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he didn't tell him. 10:17 Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah; 10:18 and he said to the children of Israel, Thus says Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you: 10:19 but you have this day rejected your G.o.d, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, No, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes, and by your thousands. 10:20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

10:21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found. 10:22 Therefore they asked of Yahweh further, Is there yet a man to come here? Yahweh answered, Behold, he has hid himself among the baggage. 10:23 They ran and fetched him there; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. 10:24 Samuel said to all the people, "You see him whom Yahweh has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?"

All the people shouted, and said, Long live the king. 10:25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Yahweh. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. 10:26 Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the army, whose hearts G.o.d had touched. 10:27 But certain worthless fellows said, How shall this man save us? They despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you. 11:2 Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this condition will I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach on all Israel. 11:3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to you. 11:4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 11:5 Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What ails the people that they weep? They told him the words of the men of Jabesh. 11:6 The Spirit of G.o.d came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly. 11:7 He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever doesn't come forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one man. 11:8 He numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 11:9 They said to the messengers who came, Thus you shall tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance. The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. 11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you. 11:11 It was so on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it happened, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. 11:12 The people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death. 11:13 Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for today Yahweh has worked deliverance in Israel. 11:14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. 11:15 All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. 12:2 Now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed; and behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day. 12:3 Here I am: witness against me before Yahweh, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. 12:4 They said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand. 12:5 He said to them, Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand. They said, He is witness.

12:6 Samuel said to the people, It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 12:7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to your fathers. 12:8 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them to dwell in this place. 12:9 But they forgot Yahweh their G.o.d; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. 12:10 They cried to Yahweh, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh, and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you. 12:11 Yahweh sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety. 12:12 When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, No, but a king shall reign over us; when Yahweh your G.o.d was your king. 12:13 Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and behold, Yahweh has set a king over you. 12:14 If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your G.o.d, well: 12:15 but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers. 12:16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes. 12:17 Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking you a king. 12:18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. 12:19 All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your G.o.d, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 12:20 Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart: 12:21 and don't turn aside; for then would you go after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain. 12:22 For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself. 12:23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

12:24 Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you. 12:25 But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."

13:1 Saul was forty years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel, 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. 13:3 Jonathan struck the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba: and the Philistines heard of it. Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 13:4 All Israel heard say that Saul had struck the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel was had in abomination with the Philistines. The people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal. 13:5 The Philistines a.s.sembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand hors.e.m.e.n, and people as the sand which is on the seash.o.r.e in mult.i.tude: and they came up, and encamped in Michmash, eastward of Beth Aven. 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were distressed), then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits. 13:7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. 13:8 He stayed seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel didn't come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 13:9 Saul said, Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the peace offerings. He offered the burnt offering. 13:10 It came to pa.s.s that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 13:11 Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you didn't come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines a.s.sembled themselves together at Michmash; 13:12 therefore said I, Now will the Philistines come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven't entreated the favor of Yahweh: I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering. 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your G.o.d, which he commanded you: for now would Yahweh have established your kingdom on Israel forever. 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue: Yahweh has sought him a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you. 13:15 Samuel arose, and got him up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.

13:16 Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people who were present with them, abode in Geba of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash. 13:17 The spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual; 13:18 and another company turned the way to Beth Horon; and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: 13:20 but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle; 13:21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to set the goads. 13:22 So it came to pa.s.s in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found. 13:23 The garrison of the Philistines went out to the pa.s.s of Michmash.

14:1 Now it fell on a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on yonder side. But he didn't tell his father. 14:2 Saul abode in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people who were with him were about six hundred men; 14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. The people didn't know that Jonathan was gone. 14:4 Between the pa.s.ses, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. 14:5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncirc.u.mcised: it may be that Yahweh will work for us; for there is no restraint to Yahweh to save by many or by few. 14:7 His armor bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart: turn you, behold, I am with you according to your heart. 14:8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pa.s.s over to the men, and we will disclose ourselves to them. 14:9 If they say thus to us, Wait until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.

14:10 But if they say thus, Come up to us; then we will go up; for Yahweh has delivered them into our hand: and this shall be the sign to us. 14:11 Both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves. 14:12 The men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will show you a thing. Jonathan said to his armor bearer, Come up after me; for Yahweh has delivered them into the hand of Israel.

14:13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him. 14:14 That first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land. 14:15 There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling. 14:16 The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and behold, the mult.i.tude melted away, and they went here and there. 14:17 Then said Saul to the people who were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. When they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there. 14:18 Saul said to Ahijah, Bring here the ark of G.o.d. For the ark of G.o.d was there at that time with the children of Israel. 14:19 It happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand. 14:20 Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great confusion. 14:21 Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp, from the country all around, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan. 14:22 Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle. 14:23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day: and the battle pa.s.sed over by Beth Aven. 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man who eats any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on my enemies. So none of the people tasted food. 14:25 All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground. 14:26 When the people were come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath. 14:27 But Jonathan didn't hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

14:28 Then answered one of the people, and said, Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man who eats food this day. The people were faint. 14:29 Then said Jonathan, My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. 14:30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? for now has there been no great slaughter among the Philistines. 14:31 They struck of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint; 14:32 and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against Yahweh, in that they eat with the blood. He said, you have dealt treacherously: roll a great stone to me this day. 14:34 Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don't sin against Yahweh in eating with the blood. All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there. 14:35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh: the same was the first altar that he built to Yahweh. 14:36 Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.

They said, Do whatever seems good to you. Then said the priest, Let us draw near here to G.o.d. 14:37 Saul asked counsel of G.o.d, Shall I go down after the Philistines? will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?

But he didn't answer him that day. 14:38 Saul said, Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in which this sin has been this day. 14:39 For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people who answered him. 14:40 Then said he to all Israel, Be you on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. The people said to Saul, Do what seems good to you. 14:41 Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, Show the right. Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the people escaped. 14:42 Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. Jonathan was taken. 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what you have done. Jonathan told him, and said, I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die. 14:44 Saul said, G.o.d do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan. 14:45 The people said to Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he has worked with G.o.d this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he didn't die. 14:46 Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place. 14:47 Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and wherever he turned himself, he put them to the worse.

14:48 He did valiantly, and struck the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those who despoiled them. 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal: 14:50 and the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. 14:51 Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. 14:52 There was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.

15:1 Samuel said to Saul, Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore listen you to the voice of the words of Yahweh. 15:2 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I have marked that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Egypt. 15:3 Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don't spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. 15:4 Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. 15:5 Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. 15:6 Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

15:7 Saul struck the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt. 15:8 He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the cattle, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and wouldn't utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 15:10 Then came the word of Yahweh to Samuel, saying, 15:11 It grieves me that I have set up Saul to be king; for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments. Samuel was angry; and he cried to Yahweh all night. 15:12 Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set him up a monument, and turned, and pa.s.sed on, and went down to Gilgal. 15:13 Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, Blessed are you by Yahweh: I have performed the commandment of Yahweh. 15:14 Samuel said, What means then this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear? 15:15 Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the cattle, to sacrifice to Yahweh your G.o.d; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. 15:16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell you what Yahweh has said to me this night. He said to him, Say on. 15:17 Samuel said, "Though you were little in your own sight, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel; 15:18 and Yahweh sent you on a journey, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' 15:19 Why then didn't you obey the voice of Yahweh, but flew on the spoil, and did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh?" 15:20 Saul said to Samuel, Yes, I have obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and have gone the way which Yahweh sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your G.o.d in Gilgal. 15:22 Samuel said, Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of Yahweh, he has also rejected you from being king. 15:24 Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Yahweh, and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 15:25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship Yahweh. 15:26 Samuel said to Saul, I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of Yahweh, and Yahweh has rejected you from being king over Israel. 15:27 As Samuel turned about to go away, Saul laid hold on the skirt of his robe, and it tore.

15:28 Samuel said to him, Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you. 15:29 Also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent. 15:30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honor me now, Please, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship Yahweh your G.o.d.

15:31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped Yahweh.

15:32 Then said Samuel, Bring you here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 15:33 Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women. Samuel cut Agag in pieces before Yahweh in Gilgal. 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. 15:35 Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul: and Yahweh grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

16:1 Yahweh said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? fill your horn with oil, and go: I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite; for I have provided me a king among his sons. 16:2 Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. Yahweh said, Take a heifer with you, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Yahweh. 16:3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do: and you shall anoint to me him whom I name to you. 16:4 Samuel did that which Yahweh spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, Come you peaceably? 16:5 He said, Peaceably; I am come to sacrifice to Yahweh: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 16:6 It happened, when they had come, that he looked at Eliab, and said, Surely Yahweh's anointed is before him. 16:7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Yahweh sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart." 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pa.s.s before Samuel. He said, Neither has Yahweh chosen this. 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pa.s.s by. He said, Neither has Yahweh chosen this. 16:10 Jesse made seven of his sons to pa.s.s before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, Yahweh has not chosen these.

16:11 Samuel said to Jesse, Are here all your children? He said, There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep. Samuel said to Jesse, Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he come here. 16:12 He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful face, and goodly to look on. Yahweh said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he. 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 16:14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. 16:15 Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from G.o.d troubles you. 16:16 Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp: and it shall happen, when the evil spirit from G.o.d is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well. 16:17 Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me. 16:18 Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent