1Sam.21.1

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?"

1Sam.21.1

David went to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he met him, and asked, "Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?"

1Sam.21.1

Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one is with you?"

1Sam.21.1

David went to the city of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. "Why are you alone?" he asked. "Why is no one with you?"

1Sam.21.2

David answered Ahimelech the Priest, "The king sent me on a mission and gave strict orders: "This is top secret--not a word of this to a soul.' I've arranged to meet up with my men in a certain place.

1Sam.21.2

David answered Ahimelech the priest, "The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, 'No one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.' As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place.

1Sam.21.2

So David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has ordered me on some business, and said to me, "Do not let anyone know anything about the business on which I send you, or what I have commanded you.' And I have directed my young men to such and such a place.

1Sam.21.2

"The king has sent me on a private matter," David said. "He told me not to tell anyone why I am here. I have told my men where to meet me later.

1Sam.21.3

Now, what's there here to eat? Do you have five loaves of bread? Give me whatever you can scrounge up!"

1Sam.21.3

Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find."

1Sam.21.3

Now therefore, what have you on hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever can be found."

1Sam.21.3

Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have."

1Sam.21.4

"I don't have any regular bread on hand," said the priest. "I only have holy bread. If your men have not slept with women recently, it's yours."

1Sam.21.4

But the priest answered David, "I don't have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here-provided the men have kept themselves from women."

1Sam.21.4

And the priest answered David and said, "There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women."

1Sam.21.4

"We don't have any regular bread," the priest replied. "But there is the holy bread, which I guess you can have if your young men have not slept with any women recently."

1Sam.21.5

David said, "None of us has touched a woman. I always do it this way when I'm on a mission: My men abstain from sex. Even when it is an ordinary mission we do that--how much more on this holy mission."

1Sam.21.5

David replied, "Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!"

1Sam.21.5

Then David answered the priest, and said to him, "Truly, women have been kept from us about three days since I came out. And the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in effect common, even though it was consecrated in the vessel this day."

1Sam.21.5

"Don't worry," David replied. "I never allow my men to be with women when they are on a campaign. And since they stay clean even on ordinary trips, how much more on this one!"

1Sam.21.6

So the priest gave them the holy bread. It was the only bread he had, Bread of the Presence that had been removed from GOD's presence and replaced by fresh bread at the same time.

1Sam.21.6

So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.

1Sam.21.6

So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.

1Sam.21.6

So, since there was no other food available, the priest gave him the holy bread--the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the LORD in the Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread.

1Sam.21.7

One of Saul's officials was present that day keeping a religious vow. His name was Doeg the Edomite. He was chief of Saul's shepherds.

1Sam.21.7

Now one of Saul's servants was there that day, detained before the LORD; he was Doeg the Edomite, Saul's head shepherd.

1Sam.21.7

Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul.

1Sam.21.7

Now Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman, was there that day for ceremonial purification.

1Sam.21.8

David asked Ahimelech, "Do you have a spear or sword of any kind around here? I didn't have a chance to grab my weapons. The king's mission was urgent and I left in a hurry."

1Sam.21.8

David asked Ahimelech, "Don't you have a spear or a sword here? I haven't brought my sword or any other weapon, because the king's business was urgent."

1Sam.21.8

And David said to Ahimelech, "Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste."

1Sam.21.8

David asked Ahimelech, "Do you have a spear or sword? The king's business was so urgent that I didn't even have time to grab a weapon!"

1Sam.21.9

The priest said, "The sword of Goliath, the Philistine you killed at Oak Valley--that's here! It's behind the Ephod wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it. There's nothing else here."

1Sam.21.9

The priest replied, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one." David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."

1Sam.21.9

So the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here." And David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."

1Sam.21.9

"I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah," the priest replied. "It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here.There is nothing like it!" David replied. "Give it to me!"

1Sam.21.10

"Oh," said David, "there's no sword like that! Give it to me!" And at that, David shot out of there, running for his life from Saul. He went to Achish, king of Gath.

1Sam.21.10

That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.

1Sam.21.10

Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

1Sam.21.10

So David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath.

1Sam.21.11

When the servants of Achish saw him, they said, "Can this be David, the famous David? Is this the one they sing of at their dances? Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!"

1Sam.21.11

But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances: "'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?"

1Sam.21.11

And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'?"

1Sam.21.11

But Achish's officers weren't happy about his being there. "Isn't this David, the king of the land?" they asked. "Isn't he the one the people honor with dances, singing, `Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"

1Sam.21.12

When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath.

1Sam.21.12

David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath.

1Sam.21.12

Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

1Sam.21.12

David heard these comments and was afraid of what King Achish might do to him.

1Sam.21.13

So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard.

1Sam.21.13

So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

1Sam.21.13

So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard.

1Sam.21.13

So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

1Sam.21.14

Achish took one look at him and said to his servants, "Can't you see he's crazy? Why did you let him in here?

1Sam.21.14

Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me?

1Sam.21.14

Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me?

1Sam.21.14

Finally, King Achish said to his men, "Must you bring me a madman?

1Sam.21.15

Don't you think I have enough crazy people to put up with as it is without adding another? Get him out of here!"

1Sam.21.15

Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"

1Sam.21.15

Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"

1Sam.21.15

We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?"

1Sam.22.1

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.

1Sam.22.1

David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there.

1Sam.22.1

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.

1Sam.22.1

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and other relatives joined him there.

1Sam.22.2

Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around--losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all.

1Sam.22.2

All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

1Sam.22.2

And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

1Sam.22.2

Then others began coming--men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented--until David was the leader of about four hundred men.

1Sam.22.3

Then David went to Mizpah in Moab. He petitioned the king of Moab, "Grant asylum to my father and mother until I find out what God has planned for me."

1Sam.22.3

From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?"

1Sam.22.3

Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me."

1Sam.22.3

Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, "Would you let my father and mother live here under royal protection until I know what God is going to do for me?"

1Sam.22.4

David left his parents in the care of the king of Moab. They stayed there all through the time David was hiding out.

1Sam.22.4

So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.

1Sam.22.4

So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

1Sam.22.4

The king agreed, and David's parents stayed in Moab while David was living in his stronghold.

1Sam.22.5

The prophet Gad told David, "Don't go back to the cave. Go to Judah." David did what he told him. He went to the forest of Hereth.

1Sam.22.5

But the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah." So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

1Sam.22.5

Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

1Sam.22.5

One day the prophet Gad told David, "Leave the stronghold and return to the land of Judah." So David went to the forest of Hereth.

1Sam.22.6

Saul got word of the whereabouts of David and his men. He was sitting under the big oak on the hill at Gibeah at the time, spear in hand, holding court surrounded by his officials.

1Sam.22.6

Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul, spear in hand, was seated under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing around him.

1Sam.22.6

When Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered--now Saul was staying in Gibeah under a tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him--

1Sam.22.6

The news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. At the time, the king was sitting beneath a tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, holding his spear and surrounded by his officers.

1Sam.22.7

He said, "Listen here, you Benjaminites! Don't think for a minute that you have any future with the son of Jesse! Do you think he's going to hand over choice land, give you all influential jobs?

1Sam.22.7

Saul said to them, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?

1Sam.22.7

then Saul said to his servants who stood about him, "Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds?

1Sam.22.7

"Listen here, you men of Benjamin!" Saul shouted when he heard the news. "Has David promised you fields and vineyards? Has he promised to make you commanders in his army?

1Sam.22.8

Think again. Here you are, conspiring against me, whispering behind my back--not one of you is man enough to tell me that my own son is making deals with the son of Jesse, not one of you who cares enough to tell me that my son has taken the side of this, this... outlaw!"

1Sam.22.8

Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today."

1Sam.22.8

All of you have conspired against me, and there is no one who reveals to me that my son has made a covenant with the son of Jesse; and there is not one of you who is sorry for me or reveals to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day."

1Sam.22.8

Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you has ever told me that my own son is on David's side. You're not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son--encouraging David to try and kill me!"

1Sam.22.9

Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's officials, spoke up: "I saw the son of Jesse meet with Ahimelech son of Ahitub, in Nob.

1Sam.22.9

But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's officials, said, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

1Sam.22.9

Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, and said, "I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

1Sam.22.9

Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing there with Saul's men, spoke up. "When I was at Nob," he said, "I saw David talking to Ahimelech the priest.

1Sam.22.10

I saw Ahimelech pray with him for GOD's guidance, give him food, and arm him with the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

1Sam.22.10

Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

1Sam.22.10

And he inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

1Sam.22.10

Ahimelech consulted the LORD to find out what David should do. Then he gave David food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

1Sam.22.11

Saul sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub, along with the whole family of priests at Nob. They all came to the king.

1Sam.22.11

Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and his father's whole family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king.

1Sam.22.11

So the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob. And they all came to the king.

1Sam.22.11

King Saul immediately sent for Ahimelech and all his family, who served as priests at Nob.

1Sam.22.12

Saul said, "You listen to me, son of Ahitub!Certainly, master," he said.

1Sam.22.12

Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub.Yes, my lord," he answered.

1Sam.22.12

And Saul said, "Hear now, son of Ahitub!" He answered, "Here I am, my lord."

1Sam.22.12

When they arrived, Saul shouted at him, "Listen to me, you son of Ahitub!What is it, my king?" Ahimelech asked.

1Sam.22.13

"Why have you ganged up against me with the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword, even praying with him for GOD's guidance, setting him up as an outlaw, out to get me?"

1Sam.22.13

Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?"

1Sam.22.13

Then Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?"

1Sam.22.13

"Why have you and David conspired against me?" Saul demanded. "Why did you give him food and a sword? Why have you inquired of God for him? Why did you encourage him to revolt against me and to come here and attack me?"

1Sam.22.14

Ahimelech answered the king, "There's not an official in your administration as true to you as David, your own son-in-law and captain of your bodyguard. None more honorable either.

1Sam.22.14

Ahimelech answered the king, "Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household?

1Sam.22.14

So Ahimelech answered the king and said, "And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, who goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house?

1Sam.22.14

"But sir," Ahimelech replied, "is there anyone among all your servants who is as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household!

1Sam.22.15

Do you think that was the first time I prayed with him for God's guidance? Hardly! But don't accuse me of any wrongdoing, me or my family. I have no idea what you're trying to get at with this "outlaw' talk."

1Sam.22.15

Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father's family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair."

1Sam.22.15

Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant, or to any in the house of my father. For your servant knew nothing of all this, little or much."

1Sam.22.15

This was certainly not the first time I had consulted God for him! Please don't accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing of any plot against you."

1Sam.22.16

The king said, "Death, Ahimelech! You're going to die--you and everyone in your family!"

1Sam.22.16

But the king said, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father's whole family."

1Sam.22.16

And the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house!"

1Sam.22.16

"You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family!" the king shouted.

1Sam.22.17

The king ordered his henchmen, "Surround and kill the priests of GOD! They're hand in glove with David. They knew he was running away from me and didn't tell me." But the king's men wouldn't do it. They refused to lay a hand on the priests of GOD.

1Sam.22.17

Then the king ordered the guards at his side: "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me." But the king's officials were not willing to raise a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

1Sam.22.17

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, "Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me." But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the LORD.

1Sam.22.17

And he ordered his bodyguards, "Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn't tell me!" But Saul's men refused to kill the LORD's priests.

1Sam.22.18

Then the king told Doeg, "You do it--massacre the priests!" Doeg the Edomite led the attack and slaughtered the priests, the eighty-five men who wore the sacred robes.

1Sam.22.18

The king then ordered Doeg, "You turn and strike down the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

1Sam.22.18

And the king said to Doeg, "You turn and kill the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

1Sam.22.18

Then the king said to Doeg, "You do it." So Doeg turned on them and killed them, eighty-five priests in all, all still wearing their priestly tunics.

1Sam.22.19

He then carried the massacre into Nob, the city of priests, killing man and woman, child and baby, ox, donkey, and sheep--the works.

1Sam.22.19

He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.

1Sam.22.19

Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep--with the edge of the sword.

1Sam.22.19

Then he went to Nob, the city of the priests, and killed the priests' families--men and women, children and babies, and all the cattle, donkeys, and sheep.

1Sam.22.20

Only one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped: Abiathar. He got away and joined up with David.

1Sam.22.20

But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David.

1Sam.22.20

Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

1Sam.22.20

Only Abiathar, one of the sons of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to David.

1Sam.22.21

Abiathar reported to David that Saul had murdered the priests of GOD.

1Sam.22.21

He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.

1Sam.22.21

And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the LORD's priests.

1Sam.22.21

When he told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD,

1Sam.22.22

David said to Abiathar, "I knew it--that day I saw Doeg the Edomite there, I knew he'd tell Saul. I'm to blame for the death of everyone in your father's family.

1Sam.22.22

Then David said to Abiathar: "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father's whole family.

1Sam.22.22

So David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father's house.

1Sam.22.22

David exclaimed, "I knew it! When I saw Doeg there that day, I knew he would tell Saul. Now I have caused the death of all your father's family.

1Sam.22.23

Stay here with me. Don't be afraid. The one out to kill you is out to kill me, too. Stick with me. I'll protect you."

1Sam.22.23

Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me."

1Sam.22.23

Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe."

1Sam.22.23

Stay here with me, and I will protect you with my own life, for the same person wants to kill us both."

1Sam.23.1

It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain.

1Sam.23.1

When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,"

1Sam.23.1

Then they told David, saying, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors."

1Sam.23.1

One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors.

1Sam.23.2

David went in prayer to GOD: "Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?" GOD said, "Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah."

1Sam.23.2

he inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah."

1Sam.23.2

Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah."

1Sam.23.2

David asked the LORD, "Should I go and attack them?Yes, go and save Keilah," the LORD told him.

1Sam.23.3

But David's men said, "We live in fear of our lives right here in Judah. How can you think of going to Keilah in the thick of the Philistines?"

1Sam.23.3

But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!"

1Sam.23.3

But David's men said to him, "Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"

1Sam.23.3

But David's men said, "We're afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don't want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!"

1Sam.23.4

So David went back to GOD in prayer. GOD said, "Get going. Head for Keilah. I'm placing the Philistines in your hands."

1Sam.23.4

Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand."

1Sam.23.4

Then David inquired of the LORD once again. And the LORD answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand."

1Sam.23.4

So David asked the LORD again, and again the LORD replied, "Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines."

1Sam.23.5

David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He scattered their cattle, beat them decisively, and saved the people of Keilah.

1Sam.23.5

So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.

1Sam.23.5

And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

1Sam.23.5

So David and his men went to Keilah. They slaughtered the Philistines and took all their livestock and rescued the people of Keilah.

1Sam.23.6

After Abiathar took refuge with David, he joined David in the raid on Keilah, bringing the Ephod with him.

1Sam.23.6

(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

1Sam.23.6

Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.

1Sam.23.6

Abiathar the priest went to Keilah with David, taking the ephod with him to get answers for David from the LORD.

1Sam.23.7

Saul learned that David had gone to Keilah and thought immediately, "Good! God has handed him to me on a platter! He's in a walled city with locked gates, trapped!"

1Sam.23.7

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has handed him over to me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars."

1Sam.23.7

And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars."

1Sam.23.7

Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. "Good!" he exclaimed. "We've got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled city!"

1Sam.23.8

Saul mustered his troops for battle and set out for Keilah to lay siege to David and his men.

1Sam.23.8

And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

1Sam.23.8

Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

1Sam.23.8

So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and attack David and his men.

1Sam.23.9

But David got wind of Saul's strategy to destroy him and said to Abiathar the priest, "Get the Ephod."

1Sam.23.9

When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod."

1Sam.23.9

When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here."

1Sam.23.9

But David learned of Saul's plan and told Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and ask the LORD what he should do.

1Sam.23.10

Then David prayed to GOD: "God of Israel, I've just heard that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the city because of me.

1Sam.23.10

David said, "O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me.

1Sam.23.10

Then David said, "O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake.

1Sam.23.10

And David prayed, "O LORD, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here.

1Sam.23.11

Will the city fathers of Keilah turn me over to him? Will Saul come down and do what I've heard? O GOD, God of Israel, tell me!" GOD replied, "He's coming down."

1Sam.23.11

Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the LORD said, "He will."

1Sam.23.11

Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant." And the LORD said, "He will come down."

1Sam.23.11

Will the men of Keilah surrender me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell me." And the LORD said, "He will come."

1Sam.23.12

"And will the head men of Keilah turn me and my men over to Saul?" And GOD said, "They'll turn you over."

1Sam.23.12

Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will."

1Sam.23.12

Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will deliver you."

1Sam.23.12

Again David asked, "Will these men of Keilah really betray me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD replied, "Yes, they will betray you."

1Sam.23.13

So David and his men got out of there. There were about six hundred of them. They left Keilah and kept moving, going here, there, wherever--always on the move. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he called off the raid.

1Sam.23.13

So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

1Sam.23.13

So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.

1Sam.23.13

So David and his men--about six hundred of them now--left Keilah and began roaming the countryside. Word soon reached Saul that David had escaped, so he didn't go to Keilah after all.

1Sam.23.14

David continued to live in desert hideouts and the backcountry wilderness hills of Ziph. Saul was out looking for him day after day, but God never turned David over to him.

1Sam.23.14

David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

1Sam.23.14

And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

1Sam.23.14

David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn't let him be found.

1Sam.23.15

David kept out of the way in the wilderness of Ziph, secluded at Horesh, since it was plain that Saul was determined to hunt him down.

1Sam.23.15

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

1Sam.23.15

So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest.

1Sam.23.15

One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him.

1Sam.23.16

Jonathan, Saul's son, visited David at Horesh and encouraged him in God.

1Sam.23.16

And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

1Sam.23.16

Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

1Sam.23.16

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.

1Sam.23.17

He said, "Don't despair. My father, Saul, can't lay a hand on you. You will be Israel's king and I'll be right at your side to help. And my father knows it."

1Sam.23.17

"Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this."

1Sam.23.17

And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that."

1Sam.23.17

"Don't be afraid," Jonathan reassured him. "My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father is well aware."

1Sam.23.18

Then the two of them made a covenant before GOD. David stayed at Horesh and Jonathan went home.

1Sam.23.18

The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

1Sam.23.18

So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.

1Sam.23.18

So the two of them renewed their covenant of friendship before the LORD. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh.

1Sam.23.19

Some Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Did you know that David is hiding out near us in the caves and canyons of Horesh? Right now he's at Hakilah Hill just south of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.19

The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?

1Sam.23.19

Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

1Sam.23.19

But now the men of Ziph went to Saul in Gibeah and betrayed David to him. "We know where David is hiding," they said. "He is in the strongholds of Horesh on the hill of Hakilah, which is in the southern part of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.20

So whenever you're ready to come down, we'd count it an honor to hand him over to the king."

1Sam.23.20

Now, O king, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for handing him over to the king."

1Sam.23.20

Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand."

1Sam.23.20

Come down whenever you're ready, O king, and we will catch him and hand him over to you!"

1Sam.23.21

Saul said, "GOD bless you for thinking about me!

1Sam.23.21

Saul replied, "The LORD bless you for your concern for me.

1Sam.23.21

And Saul said, "Blessed are you of the LORD, for you have compassion on me.

1Sam.23.21

"The LORD bless you," Saul said. "At last someone is concerned about me!

1Sam.23.22

Now go back and check everything out. Learn his routines. Observe his movements--where he goes, who he's with. He's very shrewd, you know.

1Sam.23.22

Go and make further preparation. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty.

1Sam.23.22

Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty.

1Sam.23.22

Go and check again to be sure of where he is staying and who has seen him there, for I know that he is very crafty.

1Sam.23.23

Scout out all his hiding places. Then meet me at Nacon and I'll go with you. If he is anywhere to be found in all the thousands of Judah, I'll track him down!"

1Sam.23.23

Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah."

1Sam.23.23

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah."

1Sam.23.23

Discover his hiding places, and come back with a more definite report. Then I'll go with you. And if he is in the area at all, I'll track him down, even if I have to search every hiding place in Judah!"

1Sam.23.24

So the Ziphites set out on their reconnaissance for Saul. Meanwhile, David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the desert south of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.24

So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.24

So they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.24

So the men of Ziph returned home ahead of Saul. Meanwhile, David and his men had moved into the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah Valley south of Jeshimon.

1Sam.23.25

Saul and his men arrived and began their search. When David heard of it, he went south to Rock Mountain, camping out in the wilderness of Maon. Saul heard where he was and set off for the wilderness of Maon in pursuit.

1Sam.23.25

Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.

1Sam.23.25

When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued David in the Wilderness of Maon.

1Sam.23.25

When David heard that Saul and his men were searching for him, he went even farther into the wilderness to the great rock, and he remained there in the wilderness of Maon. But Saul kept after him.

1Sam.23.26

Saul was on one side of the mountain, David and his men on the other. David was in full retreat, running, with Saul and his men closing in, about to get him.

1Sam.23.26

Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them,

1Sam.23.26

Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them.

1Sam.23.26

He and David were now on opposite sides of a mountain. Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men,

1Sam.23.27

Just then a messenger came to Saul and said, "Hurry! Come back! The Philistines have just attacked the country!"

1Sam.23.27

a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land."

1Sam.23.27

But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!"

1Sam.23.27

an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again.

1Sam.23.28

So Saul called off his pursuit of David and went back to deal with the Philistines. That's how that place got the name Narrow Escape.

1Sam.23.28

Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.

1Sam.23.28

Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape.

1Sam.23.28

So Saul quit the chase and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.

1Sam.23.29

David left there and camped out in the caves and canyons of En Gedi.

1Sam.23.29

And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.

1Sam.23.29

Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.

1Sam.23.29

David then went to live in the strongholds of En-gedi.