1 Samuel 17

Goliath 1-3 The Philistines drew up their troops for battle. They deployed them at Socoh in Judah, and set up camp between Socoh and Azekah at Ephes Dammim. Saul and the Israelites came together, camped at Oak Valley, and spread out their troops in battle readiness for the Philistines. The Philistines were on one hill, […]

1 Samuel 19

The Black Mood of Saul 1-3 Saul called his son Jonathan together with his servants and ordered them to kill David. But because Jonathan treasured David, he went and warned him: “My father is looking for a way to kill you. Here’s what you are to do. Tomorrow morning, hide and stay hidden. I’ll go […]

1 Samuel 20

A Covenant Friendship in God’s Name 1 David got out of Naioth in Ramah alive and went to Jonathan. “What do I do now? What wrong have I inflicted on your father that makes him so determined to kill me?” 2 “Nothing,” said Jonathan. “You’ve done nothing wrong. And you’re not going to die. Really, […]

1 Samuel 21

David Pretends to Go Crazy 1 David went on his way and Jonathan returned to town. David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the Priest. Ahimelech was alarmed as he went out to greet David: “What are you doing here all by yourself—and not a soul with you?” 2-3 David answered Ahimelech the Priest, “The king […]

1 Samuel 22

Saul Murders the Priests of God 1-2 So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of […]

1 Samuel 23

Living in Desert Hideouts 1-2 It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain. David went in prayer toGod: “Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?” Godsaid, “Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said, “We live in fear of our […]

1 Samuel 24

“I’m No Rebel” 1-4 When Saul came back after dealing with the Philistines, he was told, “David is now in the wilderness of En Gedi.” Saul took three companies—the best he could find in all Israel—and set out in search of David and his men in the region of Wild Goat Rocks. He came to […]

1 Samuel 25

To Fight God’s Battles 1 Samuel died. The whole country came to his funeral. Everyone grieved over his death, and he was buried in his hometown of Ramah. Meanwhile, David moved again, this time to the wilderness of Maon. 2-3 There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region […]

1 Samuel 26

Obsessed with a Single Flea 1-3 Some Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Did you know that David is hiding out on the Hakilah Hill just opposite Jeshimon?” Saul was on his feet in a minute and on his way to the wilderness of Ziph, taking three thousand of his best men, the […]

1 Samuel 27

1 David thought to himself, “Sooner or later, Saul’s going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country. Saul will count me a lost cause and quit hunting me down in every nook and cranny of Israel. I’ll be out of his reach for good.” 2-4 So David left; […]