Study Desk

But the prophet Gad said to David, "Don't stay in the stronghold. Go to the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

But the king said, "Ahimelech, you and all your relatives must die!"

Then he told the guards at his side, "Go and kill the priests of the Lord , because they are on David's side. They knew he was running away, but they didn't tell me." But the king's officers refused to kill the priests of the Lord .

But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, who was the son of Ahitub, escaped. He ran away and joined David.

But David's men said to him, "We're afraid here in Judah. We will be more afraid if we go to Keilah where the Philistine army is."

David stayed in the desert hideouts and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Every day Saul looked for David, but the Lord did not surrender David to him.

But Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and strengthened his faith in God.

The two of them made an agreement before the Lord . Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.

Saul and his men went to look for David, but David heard about it and went down to a rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard that, he followed David into the Desert of Maon.

But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking our land!"

You have seen something with your own eyes today. The Lord put you in my power in the cave. They said I should kill you, but I was merciful. I said, ‘I won't harm my master, because he is the Lord 's appointed king.'

My father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe, but I didn't kill you. Now understand and know I am not planning any evil against you. I did nothing wrong to you, but you are hunting me to kill me.

May the Lord judge between us, and may he punish you for the wrong you have done to me! But I am not against you.

There is an old saying: ‘Evil things come from evil people.' But I am not against you.

He said, "You are a better man than I am. You have been good to me, but I have done wrong to you.

You told me what good things you did. The Lord handed me over to you, but you did not kill me.

His name was Nabal, and he was a descendant of Caleb. His wife was named Abigail. She was wise and beautiful, but Nabal was cruel and mean.

When David's men arrived, they gave the message to Nabal, but Nabal insulted them.

I have bread and water, and I have meat that I killed for my servants who cut the wool. But I won't give it to men I don't know."

Then David said to them, "Put on your swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his also. About four hundred men went with David, but two hundred men stayed with the supplies.