Study Desk

David strapped on his sword over his fighting attire and tried to walk around, but he was not used to them. David said to Saul, "I can't walk in these things, for I'm not used to them." So David removed them.

When the Philistine looked carefully at David, he despised him, for he was only a ruddy and handsome boy.

and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves! For the battle is the Lord 's, and he will deliver you into our hand."

Jonathan made a covenant with David, for he loved him as much as he did his own life.

Now David achieved success in all he did, for the Lord was with him.

But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he was the one leading them out to battle and back.

Then Saul said to David, "Here's my oldest daughter, Merab. I want to give her to you in marriage. Only be a brave warrior for me and fight the battles of the Lord ." For Saul thought, "There's no need for me to raise my hand against him. Let it be the hand of the Philistines!"

When the time came for Merab, Saul's daughter, to be given to David, she instead was given in marriage to Adriel, who was from Meholah.

Saul said, "I will give her to him so that she may become a snare to him and the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David, "Today is the second time for you to become my son-in-law."

Saul replied, "Here is what you should say to David: ‘There is nothing that the king wants as a price for the bride except a hundred Philistine foreskins, so that he can be avenged of his enemies.'" (Now Saul was thinking that he could kill David by the hand of the Philistines.)

So Jonathan spoke on David's behalf to his father Saul. He said to him, "The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you. On the contrary, his actions have been very beneficial for you.

He risked his life when he struck down the Philistine and the Lord gave all Israel a great victory. When you saw it, you were happy. So why would you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death for no reason?"

He even stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel. He lay there naked all that day and night. (For that reason it is asked, "Is Saul also among the prophets?")

David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan and asked, "What have I done? What is my offense? How have I sinned before your father? For he is seeking my life!"

Jonathan replied to David, "Tell me what I can do for you."

David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I am certainly expected to join the king for a meal. You must send me away so I can hide in the field until the third evening from now.

If your father happens to miss me, you should say, ‘David urgently requested me to let him go to his city Bethlehem, for there is an annual sacrifice there for his entire family.'

You must be loyal to your servant, for you have made a covenant with your servant in the Lord 's name. If I am guilty, you yourself kill me! Why bother taking me to your father?"

Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, for your seat will be empty.

When I send a boy after them, I will say, "Go and find the arrows." If I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them,' then come back. For as surely as the Lord lives, you will be safe and there will be no problem.