1Sam.14.24

Saul did something really foolish that day. He addressed the army: "A curse on the man who eats anything before evening, before I've wreacked vengeance on my enemies!" None of them ate a thing all day.

1Sam.14.24

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.

1Sam.14.24

And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food.

1Sam.14.24

Now the men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had made them take an oath, saying, "Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening--before I have full revenge on my enemies." So no one ate a thing all day,

1Sam.14.25

There were honeycombs here and there in the fields.

1Sam.14.25

The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground.

1Sam.14.25

Now all the people of the land came to a forest; and there was honey on the ground.

1Sam.14.25

even though they found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.

1Sam.14.26

But no one so much as put his finger in the honey to taste it, for the soldiers to a man feared the curse.

1Sam.14.26

When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out, yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

1Sam.14.26

And when the people had come into the woods, there was the honey, dripping; but no one put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

1Sam.14.26

They didn't even touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.

1Sam.14.27

But Jonathan hadn't heard his father put the army under oath. He stuck the tip of his staff into some honey and ate it. Refreshed, his eyes lit up with renewed vigor.

1Sam.14.27

But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

1Sam.14.27

But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened.

1Sam.14.27

But Jonathan had not heard his father's command, and he dipped a stick into a piece of honeycomb and ate the honey. After he had eaten it, he felt much better.

1Sam.14.28

A soldier spoke up, "Your father has put the army under solemn oath, saying, "A curse on the man who eats anything before evening!' No wonder the soldiers are drooping!"

1Sam.14.28

Then one of the soldiers told him, "Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, 'Cursed be any man who eats food today!' That is why the men are faint."

1Sam.14.28

Then one of the people said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats food this day."' And the people were faint.

1Sam.14.28

But one of the men saw him and said, "Your father made the army take a strict oath that anyone who eats food today will be cursed. That is why everyone is weary and faint."

1Sam.14.29

Jonathan said, "My father has imperiled the country. Just look how quickly my energy has returned since I ate a little of this honey!

1Sam.14.29

Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey.

1Sam.14.29

But Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

1Sam.14.29

"My father has made trouble for us all!" Jonathan exclaimed. "A command like that only hurts us. See how much better I feel now that I have eaten this little bit of honey.

1Sam.14.30

It would have been a lot better, believe me, if the soldiers had eaten their fill of whatever they took from the enemy. Who knows how much worse we could have whipped them!"

1Sam.14.30

How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"

1Sam.14.30

How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?"

1Sam.14.30

If the men had been allowed to eat freely from the food they found among our enemies, think how many more we could have killed!"

1Sam.14.31

They killed Philistines that day all the way from Micmash to Aijalon, but the soldiers ended up totally exhausted.

1Sam.14.31

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted.

1Sam.14.31

Now they had driven back the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. So the people were very faint.

1Sam.14.31

But hungry as they were, they chased and killed the Philistines all day from Micmash to Aijalon, growing more and more faint.

1Sam.14.32

Then they started plundering. They grabbed anything in sight--sheep, cattle, calves--and butchered it where they found it. Then they glutted themselves--meat, blood, the works.

1Sam.14.32

They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.

1Sam.14.32

And the people rushed on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.

1Sam.14.32

That evening they flew upon the battle plunder and butchered the sheep, cattle, and calves, but they ate them without draining the blood.

1Sam.14.33

Saul was told, "Do something! The soldiers are sinning against GOD. They're eating meat with the blood still in it!" Saul said, "You're biting the hand that feeds you! Roll a big rock over here--now!"

1Sam.14.33

Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it.You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once."

1Sam.14.33

Then they told Saul, saying, "Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood!" So he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day."

1Sam.14.33

Someone reported to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that still has blood in it.That is very wrong," Saul said. "Find a large stone and roll it over here.

1Sam.14.34

He continued, "Disperse among the troops and tell them, "Bring your oxen and sheep to me and butcher them properly here. Then you can feast to your heart's content. Please don't sin against GOD by eating meat with the blood still in it.'" And so they did. That night each soldier, one after another, led his animal there to be butchered.

1Sam.14.34

Then he said, "Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it.'" So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.

1Sam.14.34

Then Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, "Bring me here every man's ox and every man's sheep, slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood."' So every one of the people brought his ox with him that night, and slaughtered it there.

1Sam.14.34

Then go out among the troops and tell them, `Bring the cattle and sheep here to kill them and drain the blood. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.'" So that night all the troops brought their animals and slaughtered them there.

1Sam.14.35

That's the story behind Saul's building an altar to GOD. It's the first altar to GOD that he built.

1Sam.14.35

Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this.

1Sam.14.35

Then Saul built an altar to the LORD. This was the first altar that he built to the LORD.

1Sam.14.35

And Saul built an altar to the LORD, the first one he had ever built.

1Sam.14.36

Saul said, "Let's go after the Philistines tonight! We can spend the night looting and plundering. We won't leave a single live Philistine!Sounds good to us," said the troops. "Let's do it!" But the priest slowed them down: "Let's find out what God thinks about this."

1Sam.14.36

Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here."

1Sam.14.36

Now Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light; and let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." Then the priest said, "Let us draw near to God here."

1Sam.14.36

Then Saul said, "Let's chase the Philistines all night and destroy every last one of them." His men replied, "We'll do whatever you think is best." But the priest said, "Let's ask God first."

1Sam.14.37

So Saul prayed to God, "Shall I go after the Philistines? Will you put them in Israel's hand?" God didn't answer him on that occasion.

1Sam.14.37

So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand?" But God did not answer him that day.

1Sam.14.37

So Saul asked counsel of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer him that day.

1Sam.14.37

So Saul asked God, "Should we go after the Philistines? Will you help us defeat them?" But God made no reply that day.

1Sam.14.38

Saul then said, "All army officers, step forward. Some sin has been committed this day. We're going to find out what it is and who did it!

1Sam.14.38

Saul therefore said, "Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today.

1Sam.14.38

And Saul said, "Come over here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see what this sin was today.

1Sam.14.38

Then Saul said to the leaders, "Something's wrong! I want all my army commanders to come here. We must find out what sin was committed today.

1Sam.14.39

As GOD lives, Israel's Savior God, whoever sinned will die, even if it should turn out to be Jonathan, my son!" Nobody said a word.

1Sam.14.39

As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." But not one of the men said a word.

1Sam.14.39

For as the LORD lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." But not a man among all the people answered him.

1Sam.14.39

I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!" But no one would tell him what the trouble was.

1Sam.14.40

Saul said to the Israelites, "You line up over on that side, and I and Jonathan my son will stand on this side." The army agreed, "Fine. Whatever you say."

1Sam.14.40

Saul then said to all the Israelites, "You stand over there; I and Jonathan my son will stand over here.Do what seems best to you," the men replied.

1Sam.14.40

Then he said to all Israel, "You be on one side, and my son Jonathan and I will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you."

1Sam.14.40

Then Saul said, "Jonathan and I will stand over here, and all of you stand over there." And the people agreed.

1Sam.14.41

Then Saul prayed to GOD, "O God of Israel, why haven't you answered me today? Show me the truth. If the sin is in me or Jonathan, then, O GOD, give the sign Urim. But if the sin is in the army of Israel, give the sign Thummim." The Urim sign turned up and pointed to Saul and Jonathan. That cleared the army.

1Sam.14.41

Then Saul prayed to the LORD, the God of Israel, "Give me the right answer." And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.

1Sam.14.41

Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, "Give a perfect lot." So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.

1Sam.14.41

Then Saul prayed, "O LORD, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent. Are Jonathan and I guilty, or is the sin among the others?" And Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.

1Sam.14.42

Next Saul said, "Cast the lots between me and Jonathan--and death to the one GOD points to!" The soldiers protested, "No--this is not right. Stop this!" But Saul pushed on anyway. They cast the lots, Urim and Thummim, and the lot fell to Jonathan.

1Sam.14.42

Saul said, "Cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son." And Jonathan was taken.

1Sam.14.42

And Saul said, "Cast lots between my son Jonathan and me." So Jonathan was taken.

1Sam.14.42

Then Saul said, "Now choose between me and Jonathan." And Jonathan was shown to be the guilty one.

1Sam.14.43

Saul confronted Jonathan. "What did you do? Tell me!" Jonathan said, "I licked a bit of honey off the tip of the staff I was carrying. That's it--and for that I'm to die?"

1Sam.14.43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." So Jonathan told him, "I merely tasted a little honey with the end of my staff. And now must I die?"

1Sam.14.43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, and said, "I only tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. So now I must die!"

1Sam.14.43

"Tell me what you have done," Saul demanded of Jonathan. "I tasted a little honey," Jonathan admitted. "It was only a little bit on the end of a stick. Does that deserve death?"

1Sam.14.44

Saul said, "Yes. Jonathan most certainly will die. It's out of my hands--I can't go against God, can I?"

1Sam.14.44

Saul said, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you do not die, Jonathan."

1Sam.14.44

Saul answered, "God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan."

1Sam.14.44

"Yes, Jonathan," Saul said, "you must die! May God strike me dead if you are not executed for this."

1Sam.14.45

The soldiers rose up: "Jonathan--die? Never! He's just carried out this stunning salvation victory for Israel. As surely as GOD lives, not a hair on his head is going to be harmed. Why, he's been working hand-in-hand with God all day!" The soldiers rescued Jonathan and he didn't die.

1Sam.14.45

But the men said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die-he who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he did this today with God's help." So the men rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

1Sam.14.45

But the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great deliverance in Israel? Certainly not! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

1Sam.14.45

But the people broke in and said to Saul, "Should Jonathan, who saved Israel today, die? Far from it! As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair on his head will be touched, for he has been used of God to do a mighty miracle today." So the people rescued Jonathan, and he was not put to death.

1Sam.14.46

Saul pulled back from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines went home.

1Sam.14.46

Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.

1Sam.14.46

Then Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.

1Sam.14.46

Then Saul called back the army from chasing the Philistines, and the Philistines returned home.

1Sam.14.47

Saul extended his rule, capturing neighboring kingdoms. He fought enemies on every front--Moab, Ammon, Edom, the king of Zobah, the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he came up with a victory.

1Sam.14.47

After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.

1Sam.14.47

So Saul established his sovereignty over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, against the people of Ammon, against Edom, against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he harassed them.

1Sam.14.47

Now when Saul had secured his grasp on Israel's throne, he fought against his enemies in every direction--against Moab, Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. And wherever he turned, he was victorious.

1Sam.14.48

He became invincible! He smashed Amalek, freeing Israel from the savagery and looting.

1Sam.14.48

He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them.

1Sam.14.48

And he gathered an army and attacked the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them.

1Sam.14.48

He did great deeds and conquered the Amalekites, saving Israel from all those who had plundered them.

1Sam.14.49

Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. His daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.

1Sam.14.49

Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.

1Sam.14.49

The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.

1Sam.14.49

Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal.

1Sam.14.50

Saul's wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. Abner son of Ner was commander of Saul's army (Ner was Saul's uncle).

1Sam.14.50

His wife's name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of Saul's army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle.

1Sam.14.50

The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the commander of his army was Abner the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

1Sam.14.50

Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul's army was his cousin Abner, his uncle Ner's son.

1Sam.14.51

Kish, Saul's father, and Ner, Abner's father, were the sons of Abiel.

1Sam.14.51

Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.

1Sam.14.51

Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

1Sam.14.51

Abner's father, Ner, and Saul's father, Kish, were brothers; both were sons of Abiel.

1Sam.14.52

All through Saul's life there was war, bitter and relentless, with the Philistines. Saul conscripted every strong and brave man he laid eyes on.

1Sam.14.52

All the days of Saul there was bitter war with the Philistines, and whenever Saul saw a mighty or brave man, he took him into his service.

1Sam.14.52

Now there was fierce war with the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him for himself.

1Sam.14.52

The Israelites fought constantly with the Philistines throughout Saul's lifetime. So whenever Saul saw a young man who was brave and strong, he drafted him into his army.

1Sam.15.1

Samuel said to Saul, "GOD sent me to anoint you king over his people, Israel. Now, listen again to what GOD says.

1Sam.15.1

Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD.

1Sam.15.1

Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD.

1Sam.15.1

One day Samuel said to Saul, "I anointed you king of Israel because the LORD told me to. Now listen to this message from the LORD!

1Sam.15.2

This is the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies speaking: I'm about to get even with Amalek for ambushing Israel when Israel came up out of Egypt.

1Sam.15.2

This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.

1Sam.15.2

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt.

1Sam.15.2

This is what the LORD Almighty says: `I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.

1Sam.15.3

Here's what you are to do: Go to war against Amalek. Put everything connected with Amalek under a holy ban. And no exceptions! This is to be total destruction--men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys--the works.'"

1Sam.15.3

Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"

1Sam.15.3

Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."'

1Sam.15.3

Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation--men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.'"

1Sam.15.4

Saul called the army together at Telaim and prepared them to go to war--two hundred companies of infantry from Israel and another ten companies from Judah.

1Sam.15.4

So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah.

1Sam.15.4

So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah.

1Sam.15.4

So Saul mobilized his army at Telaim. There were 200,000 troops in addition to 10,000 men from Judah.

1Sam.15.5

Saul marched to Amalek City and hid in the canyon.

1Sam.15.5

Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine.

1Sam.15.5

And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.

1Sam.15.5

Then Saul went to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.

1Sam.15.6

Then Saul got word to the Kenites: "Get out of here while you can. Evacuate the city right now or you'll get lumped in with the Amalekites. I'm warning you because you showed real kindness to the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." And they did. The Kenites evacuated the place.

1Sam.15.6

Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

1Sam.15.6

Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get 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.

1Sam.15.6

Saul sent this message to the Kenites: "Move away from where the Amalekites live or else you will die with them. For you were kind to the people of Israel when they came up from Egypt." So the Kenites packed up and left.

1Sam.15.7

Then Saul went after Amalek, from the canyon all the way to Shur near the Egyptian border.

1Sam.15.7

Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt.

1Sam.15.7

And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt.

1Sam.15.7

Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt.

1Sam.15.8

He captured Agag, king of Amalek, alive. Everyone else was killed under the terms of the holy ban.

1Sam.15.8

He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword.

1Sam.15.8

He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

1Sam.15.8

He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else.

1Sam.15.9

Saul and the army made an exception for Agag, and for the choice sheep and cattle. They didn't include them under the terms of the holy ban. But all the rest, which nobody wanted anyway, they destroyed as decreed by the holy ban.

1Sam.15.9

But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

1Sam.15.9

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

1Sam.15.9

Saul and his men spared Agag's life and kept the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs--everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

1Sam.15.10

Then GOD spoke to Samuel:

1Sam.15.10

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:

1Sam.15.10

Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying,

1Sam.15.10

Then the LORD said to Samuel,

1Sam.15.11

"I'm sorry I ever made Saul king. He's turned his back on me. He refuses to do what I tell him." Samuel was angry when he heard this. He prayed his anger and disappointment all through the night.

1Sam.15.11

"I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

1Sam.15.11

"I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.

1Sam.15.11

"I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has again refused to obey me." Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the LORD all night.

1Sam.15.12

He got up early in the morning to confront Saul but was told, "Saul's gone. He went to Carmel to set up a victory monument in his own honor, and then was headed for Gilgal." By the time Samuel caught up with him, Saul had just finished an act of worship, having used Amalekite plunder for the burnt offerings sacrificed to GOD.

1Sam.15.12

Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."

1Sam.15.12

So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal."

1Sam.15.12

Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, "Saul went to Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal."

1Sam.15.13

As Samuel came close, Saul called out, "GOD's blessings on you! I accomplished GOD's plan to the letter!"

1Sam.15.13

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions."

1Sam.15.13

Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD."

1Sam.15.13

When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. "May the LORD bless you," he said. "I have carried out the LORD's command!"

1Sam.15.14

Samuel said, "So what's this I'm hearing--this bleating of sheep, this mooing of cattle?"

1Sam.15.14

But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"

1Sam.15.14

But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

1Sam.15.14

"Then what is all the bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle I hear?" Samuel demanded.

1Sam.15.15

"Only some Amalekite loot," said Saul. "The soldiers saved back a few of the choice cattle and sheep to offer up in sacrifice to GOD. But everything else we destroyed under the holy ban."

1Sam.15.15

Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest."

1Sam.15.15

And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."

1Sam.15.15

"It's true that the army spared the best of the sheep and cattle," Saul admitted. "But they are going to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. We have destroyed everything else."

1Sam.15.16

"Enough!" interrupted Samuel. "Let me tell you what GOD told me last night." Saul said, "Go ahead. Tell me."

1Sam.15.16

"Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.Tell me," Saul replied.

1Sam.15.16

Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on."

1Sam.15.16

Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stop! Listen to what the LORD told me last night!What was it?" Saul asked.

1Sam.15.17

And Samuel told him. "When you started out in this, you were nothing--and you knew it. Then GOD put you at the head of Israel--made you king over Israel.

1Sam.15.17

Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.

1Sam.15.17

So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?

1Sam.15.17

And Samuel told him, "Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel.

1Sam.15.18

Then GOD sent you off to do a job for him, ordering you, "Go and put those sinners, the Amalekites, under a holy ban. Go to war against them until you have totally wiped them out.'

1Sam.15.18

And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.'

1Sam.15.18

Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, "Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.'

1Sam.15.18

And the LORD sent you on a mission and told you, `Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.'

1Sam.15.19

So why did you not obey GOD? Why did you grab all this loot? Why, with GOD's eyes on you all the time, did you brazenly carry out this evil?"

1Sam.15.19

Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?"

1Sam.15.19

Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"

1Sam.15.19

Why haven't you obeyed the LORD? Why did you rush for the plunder and do exactly what the LORD said not to do?"

1Sam.15.20

Saul defended himself. "What are you talking about? I did obey GOD. I did the job GOD set for me. I brought in King Agag and destroyed the Amalekites under the terms of the holy ban.

1Sam.15.20

"But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.

1Sam.15.20

And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

1Sam.15.20

"But I did obey the LORD," Saul insisted. "I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.

1Sam.15.21

So the soldiers saved back a few choice sheep and cattle from the holy ban for sacrifice to GOD at Gilgal--what's wrong with that?"

1Sam.15.21

The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

1Sam.15.21

But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

1Sam.15.21

Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep and cattle and plunder to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."

1Sam.15.22

Then Samuel said, Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices--empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production.

1Sam.15.22

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

1Sam.15.22

So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

1Sam.15.22

But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.

1Sam.15.23

Not doing what GOD tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around GOD is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to GOD's command, he says No to your kingship.

1Sam.15.23

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

1Sam.15.23

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."

1Sam.15.23

Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king."

1Sam.15.24

Saul gave in and confessed, "I've sinned. I've trampled roughshod over GOD's Word and your instructions. I cared more about pleasing the people. I let them tell me what to do.

1Sam.15.24

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.

1Sam.15.24

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

1Sam.15.24

Then Saul finally admitted, "Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.

1Sam.15.25

Oh, absolve me of my sin! Take my hand and lead me to the altar so I can worship GOD!"

1Sam.15.25

Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD."

1Sam.15.25

Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD."

1Sam.15.25

Oh, please, forgive my sin now and go with me to worship the LORD."

1Sam.15.26

But Samuel refused: "No, I can't come alongside you in this. You rejected GOD's command. Now GOD has rejected you as king over Israel."

1Sam.15.26

But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!"

1Sam.15.26

But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."

1Sam.15.26

But Samuel replied, "I will not return with you! Since you have rejected the LORD's command, he has rejected you from being the king of Israel."

1Sam.15.27

As Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed at his priestly robe and a piece tore off.

1Sam.15.27

As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.

1Sam.15.27

And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.

1Sam.15.27

As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed at him to try to hold him back and tore his robe.

1Sam.15.28

Samuel said, "GOD has just now torn the kingdom from you, and handed it over to your neighbor, a better man than you are.

1Sam.15.28

Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors-to one better than you.

1Sam.15.28

So Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.

1Sam.15.28

And Samuel said to him, "See? The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else--one who is better than you.

1Sam.15.29

Israel's God-of-Glory doesn't deceive and he doesn't dither. He says what he means and means what he says."

1Sam.15.29

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."

1Sam.15.29

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent."

1Sam.15.29

And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!"

1Sam.15.30

Saul tried again, "I have sinned. But don't abandon me! Support me with your presence before the leaders and the people. Come alongside me as I go back to worship GOD."

1Sam.15.30

Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God."

1Sam.15.30

Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God."

1Sam.15.30

Then Saul pleaded again, "I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the leaders and before my people by going with me to worship the LORD your God."

1Sam.15.31

Samuel did. He went back with him. And Saul went to his knees before GOD and worshiped.

1Sam.15.31

So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

1Sam.15.31

So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

1Sam.15.31

So Samuel finally agreed and went with him, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

1Sam.15.32

Then Samuel said, "Present King Agag of Amalek to me." Agag came, dragging his feet, muttering that he'd be better off dead.

1Sam.15.32

Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him confidently, thinking, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1Sam.15.32

Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me." So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1Sam.15.32

Then Samuel said, "Bring King Agag to me." Agag arrived full of smiles, for he thought, "Surely the worst is over, and I have been spared!"

1Sam.15.33

Samuel said, "Just as your sword made many a woman childless, so your mother will be childless among those women!" And Samuel cut Agag down in the presence of GOD right there in Gilgal.

1Sam.15.33

But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women." And Samuel put Agag to death before the LORD at Gilgal.

1Sam.15.33

But Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

1Sam.15.33

But Samuel said, "As your sword has killed the sons of many mothers, now your mother will be childless." And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

1Sam.15.34

Samuel left immediately for Ramah and Saul went home to Gibeah.

1Sam.15.34

Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

1Sam.15.34

Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

1Sam.15.34

Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah.

1Sam.15.35

Samuel never laid eyes on Saul again in this life, although he grieved long and deeply over him. But GOD was sorry he had ever made Saul king in the first place.

1Sam.15.35

Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

1Sam.15.35

And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

1Sam.15.35

Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And the LORD was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.