1Sam.26.1

Some Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Did you know that David is hiding out on the Hakilah Hill just opposite Jeshimon?"

1Sam.26.1

The Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which faces Jeshimon?"

1Sam.26.1

Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?"

1Sam.26.1

Now some messengers from Ziph came back to Saul at Gibeah to tell him, "David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which overlooks Jeshimon."

1Sam.26.2

Saul was on his feet in a minute and on his way to the wilderness of Ziph, taking three thousand of his best men, the pick of the crop, to hunt for David in that wild desert.

1Sam.26.2

So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand chosen men of Israel, to search there for David.

1Sam.26.2

Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph.

1Sam.26.2

So Saul took three thousand of his best troops and went to hunt him down in the wilderness of Ziph.

1Sam.26.3

He camped just off the road at the Hakilah Hill, opposite Jeshimon. David, still out in the backcountry, knew Saul had come after him.

1Sam.26.3

Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the desert. When he saw that Saul had followed him there,

1Sam.26.3

And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

1Sam.26.3

Saul camped along the road beside the hill of Hakilah, near Jeshimon, where David was hiding. But David knew of Saul's arrival,

1Sam.26.4

He sent scouts to determine his precise location.

1Sam.26.4

he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

1Sam.26.4

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.

1Sam.26.4

so he sent out spies to watch his movements.

1Sam.26.5

Then David set out and came to the place where Saul had set up camp and saw for himself where Saul and Abner, son of Ner, his general, were staying. Saul was safely inside the camp, encircled by the army.

1Sam.26.5

Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him.

1Sam.26.5

So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. Now Saul lay within the camp, with the people encamped all around him.

1Sam.26.5

David slipped over to Saul's camp one night to look around. Saul and his general, Abner son of Ner, were sleeping inside a ring formed by the slumbering warriors.

1Sam.26.6

Taking charge, David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother: "Who will go down with me and enter Saul's camp?" Abishai whispered, "I'll go with you."

1Sam.26.6

David then asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, "Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?I'll go with you," said Abishai.

1Sam.26.6

Then David answered, and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you."

1Sam.26.6

"Will anyone volunteer to go in there with me?" David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother. "I'll go with you," Abishai replied.

1Sam.26.7

So David and Abishai entered the encampment by night, and there he was--Saul, stretched out asleep at the center of the camp, his spear stuck in the ground near his head, with Abner and the troops sound asleep on all sides.

1Sam.26.7

So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.

1Sam.26.7

So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him.

1Sam.26.7

So David and Abishai went right into Saul's camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the warriors were lying asleep around him.

1Sam.26.8

Abishai said, "This is the moment! God has put your enemy in your grasp. Let me nail him to the ground with his spear. One hit will do it, believe me; I won't need a second!"

1Sam.26.8

Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."

1Sam.26.8

Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!"

1Sam.26.8

"God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!" Abishai whispered to David. "Let me thrust that spear through him. I'll pin him to the ground, and I won't need to strike twice!"

1Sam.26.9

But David said to Abishai, "Don't you dare hurt him! Who could lay a hand on GOD's anointed and even think of getting away with it?"

1Sam.26.9

But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?

1Sam.26.9

But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?"

1Sam.26.9

"No!" David said. "Don't kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD's anointed one?

1Sam.26.10

He went on, "As GOD lives, either GOD will strike him, or his time will come and he'll die in bed, or he'll fall in battle,

1Sam.26.10

As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

1Sam.26.10

David said furthermore, "As the LORD lives, the LORD shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish.

1Sam.26.10

Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die in battle or of old age.

1Sam.26.11

but GOD forbid that I should lay a finger on GOD's anointed. Now, grab the spear at his head and the water jug and let's get out of here."

1Sam.26.11

But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."

1Sam.26.11

The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But please, take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head, and let us go."

1Sam.26.11

But the LORD forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But I'll tell you what--we'll take his spear and his jug of water and then get out of here!"

1Sam.26.12

David took the spear and water jug that were right beside Saul's head, and they slipped away. Not a soul saw. Not a soul knew. No one woke up! They all slept through the whole thing. A blanket of deep sleep from GOD had fallen on them.

1Sam.26.12

So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.

1Sam.26.12

So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

1Sam.26.12

So David took the spear and jug of water that were near Saul's head. Then he and Abishai got away without anyone seeing them or even waking up, because the LORD had put Saul's men into a deep sleep.

1Sam.26.13

Then David went across to the opposite hill and stood far away on the top of the mountain. With this safe distance between them,

1Sam.26.13

Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them.

1Sam.26.13

Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them.

1Sam.26.13

David climbed the hill opposite the camp until he was at a safe distance.

1Sam.26.14

he shouted across to the army and Abner son of Ner, "Hey Abner! How long do I have to wait for you to wake up and answer me?" Abner said, "Who's calling?"

1Sam.26.14

He called out to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Aren't you going to answer me, Abner?" Abner replied, "Who are you who calls to the king?"

1Sam.26.14

And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you, calling out to the king?"

1Sam.26.14

Then he shouted down to Abner and Saul, "Wake up, Abner!Who is it?" Abner demanded.

1Sam.26.15

"Aren't you in charge there?" said David. "Why aren't you minding the store? Why weren't you standing guard over your master the king, when a soldier came to kill the king your master?

1Sam.26.15

David said, "You're a man, aren't you? And who is like you in Israel? Why didn't you guard your lord the king? Someone came to destroy your lord the king.

1Sam.26.15

So David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not guarded your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king.

1Sam.26.15

"Well, Abner, you're a great man, aren't you?" David taunted. "Where in all Israel is there anyone as mighty? So why haven't you guarded your master the king when someone came to kill him?

1Sam.26.16

Bad form! As GOD lives, your life should be forfeit, you and the entire bodyguard. Look what I have--the king's spear and water jug that were right beside his head!"

1Sam.26.16

What you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, you and your men deserve to die, because you did not guard your master, the LORD's anointed. Look around you. Where are the king's spear and water jug that were near his head?"

1Sam.26.16

This thing that you have done is not good. As the LORD lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your master, the LORD's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was by his head."

1Sam.26.16

This isn't good at all! I swear by the LORD that you and your men deserve to die, because you failed to protect your master, the LORD's anointed! Look around! Where are the king's spear and the jug of water that were beside his head?"

1Sam.26.17

By now, Saul had recognized David's voice and said, "Is that you, my son David?" David said, "Yes, it's me, O King, my master.

1Sam.26.17

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, David my son?" David replied, "Yes it is, my lord the king."

1Sam.26.17

Then Saul knew David's voice, and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king."

1Sam.26.17

Saul recognized David's voice and called out, "Is that you, my son David?" And David replied, "Yes, my lord the king.

1Sam.26.18

Why are you after me, hunting me down? What have I done? What crime have I committed?

1Sam.26.18

And he added, "Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?

1Sam.26.18

And he said, "Why does my lord thus pursue his servant? For what have I done, or what evil is in my hand?

1Sam.26.18

Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime?

1Sam.26.19

Oh, my master, my king, listen to this from your servant: If GOD has stirred you up against me, then I gladly offer my life as a sacrifice. But if it's men who have done it, let them be banished from GOD's presence! They've expelled me from my rightful place in GOD's heritage, sneering, "Out of here! Go get a job with some other god!'

1Sam.26.19

Now let my lord the king listen to his servant's words. If the LORD has incited you against me, then may he accept an offering. If, however, men have done it, may they be cursed before the LORD! They have now driven me from my share in the LORD's inheritance and have said, 'Go, serve other gods.'

1Sam.26.19

Now therefore, please, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, "Go, serve other gods.'

1Sam.26.19

But now let my lord the king listen to his servant. If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursed by the LORD. For you have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the LORD's people and worship as I should.

1Sam.26.20

But you're not getting rid of me that easily; you'll not separate me from GOD in life or death. The absurdity! The king of Israel obsessed with a single flea! Hunting me down--a mere partridge--out in the hills!"

1Sam.26.20

Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea-as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

1Sam.26.20

So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

1Sam.26.20

Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the LORD? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?"

1Sam.26.21

Saul confessed, "I've sinned! Oh, come back, my dear son David! I won't hurt you anymore. You've honored me this day, treating my life as most precious. And I've acted the fool--a moral dunce, a real clown."

1Sam.26.21

Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."

1Sam.26.21

Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David. For I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Indeed I have played the fool and erred exceedingly."

1Sam.26.21

Then Saul confessed, "I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong."

1Sam.26.22

David answered, "See what I have here? The king's spear. Let one of your servants come and get it.

1Sam.26.22

"Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it.

1Sam.26.22

And David answered and said, "Here is the king's spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it.

1Sam.26.22

"Here is your spear, O king," David replied. "Let one of your young men come over and get it.

1Sam.26.23

It's GOD's business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what's right and who's loyal. GOD put your life in my hands today, but I wasn't willing to lift a finger against GOD's anointed.

1Sam.26.23

The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed.

1Sam.26.23

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed.

1Sam.26.23

The LORD gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the LORD placed you in my power, for you are the LORD's anointed one.

1Sam.26.24

Just as I honored your life today, may GOD honor my life and rescue me from all trouble."

1Sam.26.24

As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."

1Sam.26.24

And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation."

1Sam.26.24

Now may the LORD value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles."

1Sam.26.25

Saul said to David, "Bless you, dear son David! Yes, do what you have to do! And, yes, succeed in all you attempt!" Then David went on his way, and Saul went home.

1Sam.26.25

Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

1Sam.26.25

Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail." So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

1Sam.26.25

And Saul said to David, "Blessings on you, my son David. You will do heroic deeds and be a great conqueror." Then David went away, and Saul returned home.

1Sam.27.1

David thought to himself, "Sooner or later, Saul's going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to Philistine country. Saul will count me a lost cause and quit hunting me down in every nook and cranny of Israel. I'll be out of his reach for good."

1Sam.27.1

But David thought to himself, "One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand."

1Sam.27.1

And David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand."

1Sam.27.1

But David kept thinking to himself, "Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing for me to do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me, and I will finally be safe."

1Sam.27.2

So David left; he and his six hundred men went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath.

1Sam.27.2

So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maoch king of Gath.

1Sam.27.2

Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

1Sam.27.2

So David took his six hundred men and their families and went to live at Gath under the protection of King Achish.

1Sam.27.3

They moved in and settled down in Gath, with Achish. Each man brought his household; David brought his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal of Carmel.

1Sam.27.3

David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.

1Sam.27.3

So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow.

1Sam.27.3

David brought his two wives along with him--Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow.

1Sam.27.4

When Saul was told that David had escaped to Gath, he called off the hunt.

1Sam.27.4

When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

1Sam.27.4

And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; so he sought him no more.

1Sam.27.4

Word soon reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped hunting for him.

1Sam.27.5

Then David said to Achish, "If it's agreeable to you, assign me a place in one of the rural villages. It doesn't seem right that I, your mere servant, should be taking up space in the royal city."

1Sam.27.5

Then David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?"

1Sam.27.5

Then David said to Achish, "If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?"

1Sam.27.5

One day David said to Achish, "If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city."

1Sam.27.6

So Achish assigned him Ziklag. (This is how Ziklag got to be what it is now, a city of the kings of Judah.)

1Sam.27.6

So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.

1Sam.27.6

So Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

1Sam.27.6

So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag (which still belongs to the kings of Judah to this day),

1Sam.27.7

David lived in Philistine country a year and four months.

1Sam.27.7

David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.

1Sam.27.7

Now the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was one full year and four months.

1Sam.27.7

and they lived there among the Philistines for a year and four months.

1Sam.27.8

From time to time David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites--these people were longtime inhabitants of the land stretching toward Shur and on to Egypt.

1Sam.27.8

Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.)

1Sam.27.8

And David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. For those nations were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as you go to Shur, even as far as the land of Egypt.

1Sam.27.8

David and his men spent their time raiding the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites--people who had lived near Shur, along the road to Egypt, since ancient times.

1Sam.27.9

When David raided an area he left no one alive, neither man nor woman, but took everything else: sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, clothing--the works. Then he'd return to Achish.

1Sam.27.9

Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.

1Sam.27.9

Whenever David attacked the land, he left neither man nor woman alive, but took away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the apparel, and returned and came to Achish.

1Sam.27.9

David didn't leave one person alive in the villages he attacked. He took the sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing before returning home to see King Achish.

1Sam.27.10

Achish would ask, "And whom did you raid today?" David would tell him, "Oh, the Negev of Judah," or "The Negev of Jerahmeel," or "The Negev of the Kenites."

1Sam.27.10

When Achish asked, "Where did you go raiding today?" David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah" or "Against the Negev of Jerahmeel" or "Against the Negev of the Kenites."

1Sam.27.10

Then Achish would say, "Where have you made a raid today?" And David would say, "Against the southern area of Judah, or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites."

1Sam.27.10

"Where did you make your raid today?" Achish would ask. And David would reply, "Against the south of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites."

1Sam.27.11

He never left a single person alive lest one show up in Gath and report what David had really been doing. This is the way David operated all the time he lived in Philistine country.

1Sam.27.11

He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, 'This is what David did.'" And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

1Sam.27.11

David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, "Lest they should inform on us, saying, "Thus David did."' And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

1Sam.27.11

No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been. This happened again and again while he was living among the Philistines.

1Sam.27.12

Achish came to trust David completely. He thought, "He's made himself so repugnant to his people that he'll be in my camp forever."

1Sam.27.12

Achish trusted David and said to himself, "He has become so odious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant forever."

1Sam.27.12

So Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; therefore he will be my servant forever."

1Sam.27.12

Achish believed David and thought to himself, "By now the people of Israel must hate him bitterly. Now he will have to stay here and serve me forever!"

1Sam.28.1

During this time the Philistines mustered their troops to make war on Israel. Achish said to David, "You can count on this: You're marching with my troops, you and your men."

1Sam.28.1

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army."

1Sam.28.1

Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, "You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men."

1Sam.28.1

About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. King Achish told David, "You and your men will be expected to join me in battle."

1Sam.28.2

And David said, "Good! Now you'll see for yourself what I can do!Great!" said Achish. "I'm making you my personal bodyguard--for life!"

1Sam.28.2

David said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do." Achish replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."

1Sam.28.2

So David said to Achish, "Surely you know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Therefore I will make you one of my chief guardians forever."

1Sam.28.2

"Very well!" David agreed. "Now you will see for yourself what we can do." Then Achish told David, "I will make you my personal bodyguard for life."

1Sam.28.3

Samuel was now dead. All Israel had mourned his death and buried him in Ramah, his hometown. Saul had long since cleaned out all those who held s�ances with the dead.

1Sam.28.3

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

1Sam.28.3

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.

1Sam.28.3

Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned all mediums and psychics from the land of Israel.

1Sam.28.4

The Philistines had mustered their troops and camped at Shunem. Saul had assembled all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

1Sam.28.4

The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa.

1Sam.28.4

Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa.

1Sam.28.4

The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul and the armies of Israel camped at Gilboa.

1Sam.28.5

But when Saul saw the Philistine troops, he shook in his boots, scared to death.

1Sam.28.5

When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.

1Sam.28.5

When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

1Sam.28.5

When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear.

1Sam.28.6

Saul prayed to GOD, but GOD didn't answer--neither by dream nor by sign nor by prophet.

1Sam.28.6

He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1Sam.28.6

And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.

1Sam.28.6

He asked the LORD what he should do, but the LORD refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets.

1Sam.28.7

So Saul ordered his officials, "Find me someone who can call up spirits so I may go and seek counsel from those spirits." His servants said, "There's a witch at Endor."

1Sam.28.7

Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.There is one in Endor," they said.

1Sam.28.7

Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor."

1Sam.28.7

Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do." His advisers replied, "There is a medium at Endor."

1Sam.28.8

Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes. Then, taking two men with him, he went under the cover of night to the woman and said, "I want you to consult a ghost for me. Call up the person I name."

1Sam.28.8

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."

1Sam.28.8

So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a s^eaance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you."

1Sam.28.8

So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman's home at night, accompanied by two of his men. "I have to talk to a man who has died," he said. "Will you call up his spirit for me?"

1Sam.28.9

The woman said, "Just hold on now! You know what Saul did, how he swept the country clean of mediums. Why are you trying to trap me and get me killed?"

1Sam.28.9

But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"

1Sam.28.9

Then the woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?"

1Sam.28.9

"Are you trying to get me killed?" the woman demanded. "You know that Saul has expelled all the mediums and psychics from the land. Why are you setting a trap for me?"

1Sam.28.10

Saul swore solemnly, "As GOD lives, you won't get in any trouble for this."

1Sam.28.10

Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this."

1Sam.28.10

And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."

1Sam.28.10

But Saul took an oath in the name of the LORD and promised, "As surely as the LORD lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this."

1Sam.28.11

The woman said, "So whom do you want me to bring up?Samuel. Bring me Samuel."

1Sam.28.11

Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?Bring up Samuel," he said.

1Sam.28.11

Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

1Sam.28.11

Finally, the woman said, "Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?Call up Samuel," Saul replied.

1Sam.28.12

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly to Saul, "Why did you lie to me? You're Saul!"

1Sam.28.12

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!"

1Sam.28.12

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!"

1Sam.28.12

When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, "You've deceived me! You are Saul!"

1Sam.28.13

The king told her, "You have nothing to fear... but what do you see?I see a spirit ascending from the underground."

1Sam.28.13

The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said, "I see a spirit coming up out of the ground."

1Sam.28.13

And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth."

1Sam.28.13

"Don't be afraid!" the king told her. "What do you see?I see a god coming up out of the earth," she said.

1Sam.28.14

"And what does he look like?" Saul asked. "An old man ascending, robed like a priest." Saul knew it was Samuel. He fell down, face to the ground, and worshiped.

1Sam.28.14

"What does he look like?" he asked. "An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

1Sam.28.14

So he said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a mantle." And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground and bowed down.

1Sam.28.14

"What does he look like?" Saul asked. "He is an old man wrapped in a robe," she replied. Saul realized that it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him.

1Sam.28.15

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by calling me up?Because I'm in deep trouble," said Saul. "The Philistines are making war against me and God has deserted me--he doesn't answer me any more, either by prophet or by dream. And so I'm calling on you to tell me what to do."

1Sam.28.15

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do."

1Sam.28.15

Now Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saul answered, "I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do."

1Sam.28.15

"Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?" Samuel asked. "Because I am in deep trouble," Saul replied. "The Philistines are at war with us, and God has left me and won't reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do."

1Sam.28.16

"Why ask me?" said Samuel. "GOD has turned away from you and is now on the side of your neighbor.

1Sam.28.16

Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

1Sam.28.16

Then Samuel said: "So why do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy?

1Sam.28.16

But Samuel replied, "Why ask me if the LORD has left you and has become your enemy?

1Sam.28.17

GOD has done exactly what he told you through me--ripped the kingdom right out of your hands and given it to your neighbor.

1Sam.28.17

The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors-to David.

1Sam.28.17

And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.

1Sam.28.17

The LORD has done just as he said he would. He has taken the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David.

1Sam.28.18

It's because you did not obey GOD, refused to carry out his seething judgment on Amalek, that GOD does to you what he is doing today.

1Sam.28.18

Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.

1Sam.28.18

Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.

1Sam.28.18

The LORD has done this because you did not obey his instructions concerning the Amalekites.

1Sam.28.19

Worse yet, GOD is turning Israel, along with you, over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And, yes, indeed, GOD is giving Israel's army up to the Philistines."

1Sam.28.19

The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines."

1Sam.28.19

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."

1Sam.28.19

What's more, the LORD will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The LORD will bring the entire army of Israel down in defeat."

1Sam.28.20

Saul dropped to the ground, felled like a tree, terrified by Samuel's words. There wasn't an ounce of strength left in him--he'd eaten nothing all day and all night.

1Sam.28.20

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night.

1Sam.28.20

Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.

1Sam.28.20

Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel's words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

1Sam.28.21

The woman, realizing that he was in deep shock, said to him, "Listen to me. I did what you asked me to do, put my life in your hands in doing it, carried out your instructions to the letter.

1Sam.28.21

When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, "Look, your maidservant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.

1Sam.28.21

And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was severely troubled, and said to him, "Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hands and heeded the words which you spoke to me.

1Sam.28.21

When the woman saw how distraught he was, she said, "Sir, I obeyed your command at the risk of my life.

1Sam.28.22

It's your turn to do what I tell you: Let me give you some food. Eat it. It will give you strength so you can get on your way."

1Sam.28.22

Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way."

1Sam.28.22

Now therefore, please, heed also the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way."

1Sam.28.22

Now do what I say, and let me give you something to eat so you can regain your strength for the trip back."

1Sam.28.23

He refused. "I'm not eating anything." But when his servants joined the woman in urging him, he gave in to their pleas, picked himself up off the ground, and sat on the bed.

1Sam.28.23

He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

1Sam.28.23

But he refused and said, "I will not eat." So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed.

1Sam.28.23

But Saul refused. The men who were with him also urged him to eat, so he finally yielded and got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

1Sam.28.24

The woman moved swiftly. She butchered a grain-fed calf she had, and took some flour, kneaded it, and baked some flat bread.

1Sam.28.24

The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast.

1Sam.28.24

Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.

1Sam.28.24

The woman had been fattening a calf, so she hurried out and killed it. She kneaded dough and baked unleavened bread.

1Sam.28.25

Then she served it all up for Saul and his servants. After dining handsomely, they got up from the table and were on their way that same night.

1Sam.28.25

Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.

1Sam.28.25

So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

1Sam.28.25

She brought the meal to Saul and his men, and they ate it. Then they went out into the night.