Saul delivers Jabesh-gilead.

1. SAMUEL.

Samuel reproves the people.

5 And behold, Saul came after the herd ed; whose ox have I taken? or whose ass out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? the people that they weep? And they told whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. have I received any bribe to blind mine 6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken aught of any man's hand.

7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout 5 And he said unto them, The LORD is all the coasts of Israel by the hands of mes- witness against you, and his anointed is sengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not witness this day. that ye have not found forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall aught in my hand. And they answered, it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of He is witness. the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

6¶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and 8 And when he numbered them in Be- Aaron, and that brought your fathers up zek, the children of Israel were three hun-out of the land of Egypt.

dred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty 7 Now therefore stand still, that I may thousand. reason with you before the LORD of all

9 And they said unto the messengers that the righteous acts of the LORD, which he came, thus shall ye say unto the men of did to you and to your fathers. Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow, by that time 8 When Jacob was come into Egypt. the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And and your fathers cried unto the LORD, the messengers came and shewed it to the then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, men of Jabesh; and they were glad. which brought forth your fathers out of 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. To-morrow we will come out unto you, 9 And when they forgat the LORD their and ye shall do with us all that seemeth God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, good unto you. captain of the host of Hazor, and into the 11 And it was so on the morrow, that hand of the Philistines, and into the hand Saul put the people in three companies; of the king of Moab, and they fought and they came into the midst of the host against them.

in the morning-watch, and slew the Am- 10 And they cried unto the LORD, and monites until the heat of the day and it said, We have sinned, because we have came to pass, that they which remained forsaken the LORD, and have served Baawere scattered, so that two of them were lim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out not left together. of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

12 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them

to death.

13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to-day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came 14 Then said Samuel to the people, against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew king shall reign over us: when the LORD the kingdom there. your God was your king.

15 And all the people went to Gilgal; 13 Now therefore, behold the king and there they made Saul king before the whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have LORD in Gilgal: and there they sacrificed desired! and behold, the LORD hath set a sacrifices of peace-offerings before the king over you. LORD; and there Saul and all the men of 14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve Israel rejoiced greatly. him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD,

CHAP. XII.

AND Samuel said unto all Israel, Be- then shall both ye, and also the king that hold, I have hearkened unto your reigneth over you, continue following the voice in all that ye said unto me, and have LORD your God.

made a king over you.

15 But if ye will not obey the voice of 2 And now, behold, the king walketh the LORD, but rebel against the commandbefore you: and I am old and gray-headed; ment of the LORD, then shall the hand of and behold, my sons are with you: and the LORD be against you, as it was against have walked before you from my child-your fathers.

hood unto this day.

16 ¶ Now therefore stand and see this 3 Behold, here I am: witness against great thing, which the LORD will do beme before the LORD, and before his anoint-fore your eyes.

Saul's selected band.

CHAP. XIII.

Samuel reproves him.

17 Is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I 7 And some of the Hebrews went over will call unto the LORD, and he shall send Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. thunder and rain; that ye may perceive As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all and see that your wickedness is great, the people followed him trembling. which ye have done in the sight of the 8 And he tarried seven days, accordLORD, in asking you a king. ing to the set time that Samuel had ap18 So Samuel called unto the LORD; pointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that and the people were scattered from him. day and all the people greatly feared the 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burntLORD and Samuel. offering to me, and peace-offerings. And

19 And all the people said unto Samuel, he offered the burnt-offering. Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as God, that we die not: for we have added he had made an end of offering the burntunto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul 20 ¶ And Samuel said unto the people, went out to meet him, that he might salute Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: him. yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great_name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

11 ¶ And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that LORD: I forced myself therefore, and ofI should sin against the LORD in ceasing to fered a burnt-offering.

pray for you: but I will teach you the 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast good and the right way:

done foolishly thou hast not kept the 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him commandment of the LORD thy God, in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king. CHAP. XIII.

which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue the LORD hath sought him a man SAUL reigned one year; and when he after his own heart, and the LORD bath had reigned two years over Israel, commanded him to be captain over his 2 Saul chose him three thousand men of people, because thou hast not kept that Israel; whereof two thousand were with which the LORD commanded thee. Saul in Michmash and in mount Beth-el, 15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up and a thousand were with Jonathan in from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the And Saul numbered the people that were people he sent every man to his tent. present with him, about six hundred men. 3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of 16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the Philistines that was in Geba; and the the people that were present with them, Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the the trumpet throughout all the land, say- Philistines encamped in Michmash. ing, Let the Hebrews hear. 17 And the spoilers came out of the

:

4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had camp of the Philistines in three companies: smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and one company turned unto the way that that Israel also was had in abomination leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual: with the Philistines: and the people were 18 And another company turned the called together after Saul to Gilgal. way to Beth-horon and another company 5 T And the Philistines gathered them- turned to the way of the border that fook selves together to fight with Israel, thirty eth to the valley of Zeboim toward the thousand chariots, and six thousand horse- wilderness. men, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Beth-aven.

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:)

6 When the men of Israel saw that they 20 But all the Israelites went down to were in a strait (for the people were dis- the Philistines, to sharpen every man his tressed) then the people did hide them- share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his selves in caves, and in thickets, and in mattock.

rocks, and in high places, and in pits. 21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks,

Jonathan miraculously smites I. SAMUEL. the garrison of the Philistines. and for the coulters, and for the forks, and 13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. hands and upon his feet, and his armour22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, bearer after him: and they fell before Jonathat there was neither sword nor spear than; and his armour-bearer slew after found in the hand of any of the people that him.

were with Saul and Jonathan: but with 14 And that first slaughter, which JonaSaul and with Jonathan his son was there than and his armour-bearer made, was found. about twenty men, within as it were a 23 And the garrison of the Philistines half-acre of land, which a yoke of oxen went out to the passage of Michmash. might plough. 15 And there was trembling in the host, TOW it came to pass upon a day, that in the field, and among all the people: the

CHAP. XIV.

NOW it came pas of Saul said unto garrison, and the spoilers, they also trem

the young man that bare his armour, Come, bled, and the earth quaked: so it was a and let us go over to the Philistines' garri- very great trembling.

son that is on the other side. But he told 16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah not his father. of Benjamin looked; and behold, the mul

2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part titude melted away, and they went on of Gibeah under a pomegranate-tree which beating down one another.

is in Migron: and the people that were 17 Then said Saul unto the people that with him were about six hundred men; were with him, Number now, and see who

3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-cha- is gone from us. And when they had numbod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son bered, behold, Jonathan and his armourof Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wear-bearer were not there.

ing an ephod. And the people knew not 18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring that Jonathan was gone. hither the ark of God. For the ark of God 4¶ And between the passages by which was at that time with the children of Israel. Jonathan sought to go over unto the Phi- 19 And it came to pass while Saul listines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on talked unto the priest, that the noise that the one side, and a sharp rock on the other was in the host of the Philistines went on, side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and increased: and Saul said unto the and the name of the other Seneh. priest, Withdraw thy hand. 5 The forefront of the one was situate 20 And Saul and all the people that northward over against Michmash, and the were with him assembled themselves, and other southward over against Gibeah. they came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

21 Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also 7 And his armour-bearer said unto him, turned to be with the Israelites that were Do all that is in thy heart: turn thee; be- with Saul and Jonathan. hold, I am with thee according to thy heart. 22 Likewise all the men of Israel which 8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will had hid themselves in mount Ephraim, pass over unto these men, and we will dis- when they heard that the Philistines fled, cover ourselves unto them. even they also followed hard after them in

9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until the battle. we come to you; then we will stand still 23 So the LORD saved Israel that day: in our place, and will not go up unto them. and the battle passed over unto Beth-aven. 10 But if they say thus, Come up unto 24 And the men of Israel were disus; then we will go up: for the LORD hath tressed that day: for Saul had adjured the delivered them into our hand; and this people, saying, Cursed be the man that shall be a sign unto us. eateth any food until evening, that I may 11 And both of them discovered them- be avenged on mine enemies. So none of selves unto the garrison of the Philistines: the people tasted any food. and the Philistines said, Behold, the He- 25 And all they of the land came to a brews come forth out of the holes where wood; and there was honey upon the they had hid themselves.

ground.

12 And the men of the garrison answer- 26 And when the people were come ed Jonathan and his armour-bearer, and into the wood, behold, the honey dropped: said, Come up to us, and we will shew you but no man put his hand to his mouth; for a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armour- the people feared the oath. bearer, Come up after me: for the LORD 27 But Jonathan heard not when his hath delivered them into the hand of Israel. father charged the people with the oath:

Saul's unadvised adjuration

CHAP. XV.

hinders the victory.

wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And was in his hand, and dipped it in a honey- Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the comb, and put his hand to his mouth; and people escaped. his eyes were enlightened.

42 And Saul said, Cast lots between me 28 Then answered one of the people, and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was and said, Thy father straitly charged the taken. people with an oath, saying, Cursed be. the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, Teli me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand, and lo, I must die.

29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because 44 And Saul answered, God do so, and more also: for thou shalt surely die, Jonathan.

I tasted a little of this honey.

30 How much more, if haply the people had eaten freely to-day of the spoil of their 45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall enemies which they found? for had there Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great not been now a much greater slaughter salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the among the Philistines? LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his

47 So Saul took the kingdom over

31 And they smote the Philistines that head fall to the ground; for he hath day from Michmash to Aijalon: and the wrought with God this day. So the peopeople were very faint. ple rescued Jonathan, that he died not. 32 And the people flew upon the spoil, 46 Then Saul went up from following and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and the Philistines: and the Philistines went slew them on the ground: and the people to their own place. did eat them with the blood. 33 Then they told Saul, saying, Be- Israel, and fought against all his enemies hold, the people sin against the LORD, in on every side, against Moab, and against that they eat with the blood. And he the children of Ammon, and against Edom, said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great and against the kings of Zobah, and against stone unto me this day. the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.

34 And Saul said, Disperse yourselves among the people, and say unto them, 48 And he gathered a host, and smote Bring me hither every man his ox, and the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out every man his sheep, and slay them here, of the hands of them that spoiled them. and eat; and sin not against the LORD in 49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, eating with the blood. And all the people and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names brought every man his ox with him that of his two daughters were these; the name night, and slew them there. of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

35 And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD:

50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and 36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the name of the captain of his host was Abthe Philistines by night, and spoil them ner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

until the morning light, and let us not leave 51 And Kish was the father of Saul; a man of them. And they said, Do what- and Ner the father of Abner was the son soever seemeth good unto thee. Then of Abiel.

said the priest, Let us draw near hither 52 And there was sore war against the unto God. Philistines all the days of Saul: and when 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt man, he took him unto him. thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day.

AMUEL

CHAP. XV.

uth and well said, Draw at dear hither S MORE seals said unto Saul, The

all the chief of the people and know and king over his people, over Israel: now see wherein this sin hath been this day. therefore hearken thou unto the voice of

39 For as the LORD liveth, which saveth the words of the LORD. Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he

2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I reshall surely die. But there was not a man member that which Amalek did to Israel, among all the people that answered him. how he laid wait for him in the way, when 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye he came up from Egypt. on one side, and I and Jonathan my son 3 Now go and sinite Amalek, and ut will be on the other side. And the people 'terly destroy all that they have, and spare said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good them not; but slay both man and woman, unto thee. infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel

41 Therefore Saul said unto the LORD and ass.

Saul smites the Amalekites.

1. SAMUEL

Samuel kills Agag.

4 And Saul gathered the people toge- 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, ! ther, and numbered them in Telaim, two have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and hundred thousand footmen, and ten thou-have gone the way which the LORD sent sand men of Judah. me, and have brought Agag the king of 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the and laid wait in the valley. Amalekites.

6¶ And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, 21 But the people took of the spoil, depart, get you down from among the sheep and oxen, the chief of the things, Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: which should have been utterly destroyed, for ye shewed kindness to all the children to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? 7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, Havilah, until thou comest to Shur, that and to hearken than the fat of rams. is over against Egypt. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witch8 And he took Agag the king of the craft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the all the people with the edge of the sword. word of the LORD, he hath also rejected 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, thee from being king.

and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, 24 ¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all sinned: for I have transgressed the comthat was good, and would not utterly de-mandment of the LORD, and thy words: stroy them but every thing that was vile because I feared the people, and obeyed and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

their voice.

25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

26 Ånd Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, 28 And Samuel said unto him, The and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul thee this day, and hath given it to a neighsaid unto him, Blessed be thou of the bour of thine that is better than thou. LORD: I have performed the command- 29 And also the Strength of Israel will ment of the LORD. not lie nor repent: for he is not a man,

14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then that he should repent. this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, 30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? honour me now, I pray thee, before the el

15 And Saul said, They have brought ders of my people, and before Israel, and them from the Amalekites: for the people turn again with me, that I may worship spared the best of the sheep and of the the LORD thy God.

oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; 31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. and Saul worshipped 'the LORD.

16 Then Samuel said unto Saul," Stay, 32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither and I will tell thee what the LORD hath to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And said to me this night. And he said unto Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag him, Say on. said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

17 And Samuel said, When thou wast 33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath little in thine own sight, wast thou not made women childless, so shall thy mother made the head of the tribes of Israel, and be childless among women. And Samuel the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in 18 And the LORD sent thee on a jour-Gilgal.

ney, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the 34 Then Samuel went to Ramab; and sinners the Amalekites, and fight against Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. them until they be consumed. 35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul

19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey until the day of his death: nevertheless the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of repented that he had made Saul king over the LORD? Israel.