1 SHAMU’AL   

𐀀  π€”π€Œπ€…π€€π€‹

 

1 SAMUEL

 

CHAPTER 1

1 Now there was a certain man of Ha’Ramatha’ym Tsup’ym, of the mountain of Apara’ym, and his name was AL'qanah, son of Ya'rakham, son of AL'YAHU'A, son of Tha'khu (Tha’khoo), son of Tsup (Tsoop), an Apar’tha’ya:

2 and he had two wives; the name of the one was Khanah, and the name of other Pananah: and Pananah had children, but Khanah had no children.

3 Now this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to slaughter to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) of hosts in Shalah. And the two sons of AL'YA, Khapana'ya and Pana’khas*, ka’ahn’ym (priests) to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), were there.

*One of the few places where the Masoretic does not include the yad letter in his name

4 And when the day came that AL'qanah offered, he gave to Pananah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:

5 but to Khanah he gave one angry portion*, for he loved Khanah, but 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had shut up her womb.

*See Note In Preface

6 And her rival provoked her severely, to make her fret, because 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had shut up her womb.

7 And he did so year by year, when she went up to the House of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), so she provoked her, therefore she wept, and did not eat.

8 And AL'qanah her husband said to her, "Khanah, why do you weep? Why don't you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

9 So Khanah rose up after they had eaten in Shalah, and after they had drunk. Now AL'YA the ka’ahn (priest) was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the Hayakal of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

10 And she was in bitterness of being, and prayed to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and wept bitterly.

11 And she vowed a vow and said, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and forget not your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a boy, then I will give him to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) all the days of his khaYah (life), and no razor shall come on his head."

12 And it came to be, as she continued praying before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), that AL'YA saw her mouth.

13 Now Khanah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore AL'YA thought she had been drunken.

14 Then AL'YA said to her, "How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you."

15 And Khanah answered, "No, my sovereign, I am a woman of a sorrowful rukh. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my being before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

16 Do not count your handmaid for a wicked woman, for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation."

17 Then AL'YA answered, β€œWalk for shalum (peace), and may the ALUAH of Yashar'AL grant your petition that you have asked of him."

18 And she said, "Let your handmaid find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way, and ate, and her facial expression was no longer sad.

19 And they rose up in the rising early, and worshiped before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and AL'qanah knew Khanah his wife, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) remembered her.

20 And it came to be, when the time had come, that Khanah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Shamu'AL, "Because I have asked him of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

21 And the man AL'qanah, and all his house, went up to offer to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) the yearly slaughtering and his vow.

22 But Khanah did not go up; for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned, then I will bring him, that he may appear before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and stay there forever."

23 And AL'qanah her husband said to her, "Do what is good in your eyes. Remain until you have weaned him. Only may 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) establish His Word." So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.

24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one measure of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the House of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in Shalah. And the child was young.

25 And they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to AL'YA.

26 And she said, "Oh, my sovereign, as your being dwells, my sovereign, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

27 For this child I prayed, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has given me my petition which I asked of Him.

28 Therefore also I have granted him to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). As long as he dwells he is granted to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)." And he worshiped 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) there.

 

CHAPTER 2

1 And Khanah prayed and said: "My heart exults in 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)! My horn is exalted in 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your rescue!

2 There is no one Made Apart as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), For there is no one besides You, nor is there any Rock like our ALUAH.

3 "Talk no more so exceeding proudly. Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth, For 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) is an AL of knowledge, and by Him deeds are weighed.

4 "The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength.

5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry have ceased. Even the barren has borne seven, and she who has many children languishes.

6 "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) kills and makes living. He brings down to Sha'ul, and brings up.

7 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low and lifts up.

8 He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, to make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of esteem. For the pillars of the earth are to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). He has placed the world on them.

9 He will keep the feet of his Made Apart ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness, for no man shall prevail by strength.

10 Those who strive with 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed."

11 And AL'qanah went to Ramah to his house. But the child served 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) before AL'YA the ka’ahn (priest).

12 Now the sons of AL'YA were corrupt sons, they did not know 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

13 And the ordinance of the ka’ahn’ym (priests) with the people was that when any man offered a slaughtering, the ka’ahn (priest’s) servant came, while the flesh was cooking, with a fork of three teeth in his hand,

14 and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot. And all that the fork brought up the ka’ahn (priest) took therewith. So they did in Shalah to all Yashar'AL who came there.

15 Also, before they burnt the fat, the ka’ahn (priest’s) servant came, and said to the man who slaughtered, "Give meat to roast for the ka’ahn (priest,) for he will not accept cooked meat from you, but raw."

16 And if the man said to him, "Let the fat be burned first, and then take as much as your being desires,” then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now. And if not, I will take it by might.”

17 And the transgression of the young men was very great before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), for the men despised the offering of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

18 But Shamu'AL attended before the face of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), being a child, clothed with a linen garment.

19 Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly slaughtering.

20 And AL'YA Barak AL'qanah and his wife, and said, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) give you seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)." They went to their own home.

21 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) visited Khanah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters, while the child Shamu’AL grew before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

22 Now AL'YA was very old, and he heard all that his sons did to all Yashar'AL, and how that they lay with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

23 And he said to them, "Why do you do such matters? for I hear of your evil dealings from all this people.

24 No, my sons, for it is no good report that I hear: you make the people of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) transgress.

25 If one man transgress against another, ALUAH shall judge him, but if a man transgress against 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), who shall entreat for him?" Notwithstanding, they did not listen to the voice of their father, because 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) desired to put them to death.

26 And the child Shamu'AL grew on, and increased in favor both with 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and also with men.

27 And a man of ALUAH came to AL'YA, and said to him, "Thus says 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), 'Did I reveal Myself to the house of your father, when they were in Ma’tsara’ym to Para'ah's house?

28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Yashar'AL to be My ka’ahn (priest), to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to wear an garment before Me? Did I give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Yashar'AL made by fire?

29 Why do you trample at My slaughtering and at My offering, which I have commanded Habitation, and esteem your sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Yashar'AL My people?'

30 "Therefore 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL, says, 'I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me forever.' But now 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) says, 'Be it far from me, for those who esteem me I will esteem, and those who despise Me shall be cursed.

31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father's house, that there shall not be an old man in your house.

32 And you shall see an enemy of Habitation, in all good which is done for Yashar'AL, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever.

33 But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar is to consume your eyes and grieve your being, and all the increase of your house shall die [as] men.

34 β€œAnd this shall be the sign to you, that shall come on your two sons, on Khapana'ya and Payana'khas: in one day they shall both die.

35 And I will raise me up a trustworthy ka’ahn (priest), that shall do according to that which is in My heart and in My mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.

36 And it will be, that everyone who is left in your house shall come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and shall say, "Please put me into one of the ka’ahn’uth (priestly) offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread."

 

CHAPTER 3

1 And the child Shamu'AL served 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) before AL'YA. The word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was precious in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 And it came to be at that time, that AL'YA was laid down in his place. Now his eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see,

3 and the lamp of ALUAH had not yet gone out, and Shamu'AL had laid down, in the Hayakal of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), where the Ark of ALUAH was,

4 That 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) called Shamu'AL, and he said, "Here I am."

5 He ran to AL'YA, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He said, "I did not call, lie down again." He went and lay down.

6 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) called yet again, "Shamu'AL!" Shamu'AL arose and went to AL'YA, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." He answered, "I didn't call, my son, lie down again."

7 Now Shamu'AL did not yet know 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), neither was the word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) yet revealed to him.

8 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) called Shamu'AL again the third time. He arose and went to AL'YA, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then AL'YA perceived that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had called the child.

9 Therefore AL'YA said to Shamu'AL, "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), for Your servant hears.'" So Shamu'AL went and lay down in his place.

10 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Shamu'AL! Shamu'AL!" Then Shamu'AL said, "Speak, for Your servant hears."

11 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Shamu'AL, "Behold, I will do a Word in Yashar'AL, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle.

12 In that day I will perform against AL'YA all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning even to the end.

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves, and he did not restrain them.

14 And therefore I have sworn to the house of AL'YA, that the iniquity of AL'YA's house shall not be removed with slaughtering nor offering forever."

15 And Shamu'AL lay until the rising, and opened the doors of the house of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). And Shamu'AL feared to show AL'YA the vision.

16 Then AL'YA called Shamu'AL, and said, "Shamu'AL, my son!" And he said, "Here I am."

17 And he said, "What is the Word that was Spoken to you? Please do not hide it from me. ALUAH do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all The Word that He spoke to you."

18 And Shamu'AL told him all the words, and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). The good in His eyes, let Him do.”

19 And Shamu'AL grew, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground.

20 And all Yashar'AL from Dan even to Ba'ar Shaba knew that Shamu'AL was established to be a nab’ya (prophet) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

21 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) appeared again in Shalah, for 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) revealed Himself to Shamu'AL in Shalah by the word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

 

CHAPTER 4

1 And the word of Shamu'AL came to all Yashar'AL. Now Yashar'AL went out against the Palash'tha'ym to battle, and encamped beside Ha'aban Ha'azar (Aban Azar): and the Palash'tha'ym encamped in Apaq.

2 And the Palash'tha'ym put themselves in array against Yashar'AL: and when they joined battle, Yashar'AL was struck before the Palash'tha'ym; and they killed of the army in the field about four thousand men.

3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Yashar'AL said, "Why has 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) struck us today before the Palash'tha'ym? Let us get the Ark of the Bar’yath (covenant) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) out of Shalah to us, that it may come among us, and save us out of the hand of our enemies."

4 So the people sent to Shalah, and they brought from there the Ark of the Bar’yath (covenant) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, who sits [between] the karab’ym: and the two sons of AL'YA, Khapana'ya and Payana'khas, were there with the Ark of the Bar’yath (covenant) of ALUAH.

5 And when the Ark of the Bar’yath (covenant) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) came into the camp, all Yashar'AL shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.

6 And when the Palash'tha'ym heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Abara'ym mean?" And they understood that the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had come into the camp.

7 The Palash'tha'ym were afraid, for they said, "ALUAH has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! For there has not been such a thing before.

8 Woe to us! Who shall rescue us out of the hand of this Mighty ALUAH? This is the ALUAH that struck Ma’tsara’ym with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness.

9 Be strong, and behave like men, O you Palash'tha'ym, that you not be servants to the Abara'ym, as they have been to you. Strengthen yourselves like men, and fight!"

10 And the Palash'tha'ym fought, and Yashar'AL was struck, and they fled every man to his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Yashar'AL thirty thousand footmen.

11 And the Ark of ALUAH was taken, and the two sons of AL'YA, Khapana'ya and Payana'khas, were slain.

12 And there ran a man of Ban’yaman out of the army, and came to Shalah the same day, with his clothes torn, and with earth on his head.

13 And when he came, behold, AL'YA was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the Ark of ALUAH. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

14 And when AL'YA heard the noise of the crying, he said, "What does the noise of this tumult mean?" The man hurried, and came and told AL'YA.

15 Now AL'YA was ninety-eight years old, and his eyes were risen, so that he could not see.

16 And the man said to AL'YA, "I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army." And he said, "How did the matter go, my son?"

17 And he who brought the news answered, "Yashar'AL has fled before the Palash'tha'ym, and there has been also a great slaughter among the people. Your two sons also, Khapana'ya and Payana'khas, are dead, and the Ark of ALUAH has been captured."

18 And it came to be, when he made mention of the Ark of ALUAH, that AL'YA fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck broke, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Yashar'AL forty years.

19 And his daughter-in-law, Payana'khas' wife, was with child, near to bear. And when she heard the news that the Ark of ALUAH was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and brought forth, for her pains came on her.

20 And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, "Do not be afraid, for you have brought forth a son." But she did not answer, neither did she regard it.

21 And she named the child Aya'Kabud, saying, "The esteem has departed from Yashar'AL,” because the Ark of ALUAH was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.

22 And she said, "The esteem has departed from Yashar'AL, for the Ark of ALUAH is taken."

 

CHAPTER 5

1 And the Palash'tha'ym had taken the Ark of ALUAH, and they brought it from Aban Ha'azar to Ash'dud’ah.

2 And the Palash'tha'ym took the Ark of ALUAH, and brought it into the house of Dagun (Da’goon), and placed it by Dagun.

3 And when they of Ash'dud arose early on the next day, behold, Dagun was fallen on his face to the ground before the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). They took Dagun, and put him to his place again.

4 And when they arose early on the next day rising, behold, Dagun was fallen on his face to the ground before the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH); and the head of Dagun and both the palms of his hands cut off on the threshold; only Dagun was left to him.

5 Therefore neither the ka’ahn’ya (priests) of Dagun, nor any who come into Dagun's house, tread on the threshold of Dagun in Ash'dud, to this day.

6 But the hand of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was heavy on them of Ash'dud, and He destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ash'dud and its borders.

7 And when the men of Ash'dud saw that it was so, they said, "The Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL shall not stay with us, for His hand is severe on us, and on Dagun our idol.”

8 They sent therefore and gathered all the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym to them, and said, "What shall we do with the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL?" And they answered, "Let the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL be carried over to Gath." And they carried away the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL.

9 And it was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was against the city with a very great confusion: and He struck the men of the city, both small and great, and tumors broke out on them.

10 so they sent the Ark of ALUAH to Aq'run (Aq’roon). And it came to be, as the Ark of ALUAH came to Aq'run, that the Aq'run’ym cried out, saying, "They have brought about the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL to us, to kill us and our people."

11 And they sent therefore and gathered together all the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym, and they said, "Send away the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people." For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city: the hand of ALUAH was very heavy there.

12 And the men who did not die were struck with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to shama’ym.

 

CHAPTER 6

1 And the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was in the country of the Palash'tha'ym seven months.

2 And the Palash'tha'ym called for the ka’ahn’ym (priests) and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)? Show us with which we shall send it to its place."

3 And they said, "If you send away the Ark of the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a trespass offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand is not removed from you."

4 And they said, "What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him?" And they said, "Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, the number of the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym: for one plague was on you all, and on your sovereigns.

5 Therefore you shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give esteem to the ALUAH of Yashar'AL: perhaps He will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your idols, and from off your land.

6 Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Ma’tsara’ym and Para'ah hardened their hearts? When He had worked wonderfully among them, did not they let the people go, and they departed?

7 "Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new wagon, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them,

8 and take the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its side, and send it away, that it may go.

9 Behold, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Bayath Shamash, then He has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that struck us, it was a accident that happened to us."

10 And the men did so, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home,

11 and they put the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) on the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.

12 And the cows took the straight way by the way to Bayath Shamash; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn't turn aside to the right hand or to the left. And the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym went after them to the border of Bayath Shamash.

13 And they of Bayath Shamash were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley, and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the Ark, and rejoiced to see it.

14 And the cart came into the field of Yahusha of Bayath Shamash, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

15 And the Lu’ym (Loo’ym) took down the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bayath Shamash offered burnt offerings and made offerings the same day to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

16 And when the five sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym had seen it, they returned to Aq'run the same day.

17 And these are the golden tumors which the Palash'tha'ym returned for a trespass offering to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH): for Ash'dud one, for Azah one, for Ash'qalun (Ash’qaloon) one, for Gath one, for Aq'run one,

18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Palash'tha'ym belonging to the five sovereigns, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone, whereon they put down the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), to this day in the field of Yahusha of Bayath Shamash.

19 And H struck of the men of Bayath Shamash, because they had looked into the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), He struck of the people fifty thousand seventy men, and the people mourned, because 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had struck the people with a great slaughter.

20 And the men of Bayath Shamash said, "Who is able to stand before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), This Made Apart ALUAH? To whom shall He go up from us?"

21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Qara’yath Ya’ara’ym, saying, "The Palash'tha'ym have brought back the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), come down, and bring it up to yourselves."

 

CHAPTER 7

1 And the men of Qara’yath Ya’ara’ym came, and fetched up the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and brought it into the house of Ab'ya'nadab in the hill, and made apart AL’azar his son to keep the Ark of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

2 And it came to be, from the day that the Ark stayed in Qara’yath Ya’ara’ym, that the time was long;,for it was twenty years: and all the house of Yashar'AL lamented after 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

3 And Shamu'AL spoke to all the house of Yashar'AL, saying, "If you do return to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) with all your heart, then put away the foreign idols and the ash'tha'ruth from among you, and direct your hearts to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and serve Him only, and He will rescue you out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym."

4 Then the children of Yashar'AL did put away the ba’al’ym and the ash'tha'ruth, and served 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) only.

5 And Shamu'AL said, "Gather all Yashar'AL to Ha’Ma’tsapa’thah, and I will pray for you to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

6 And they gathered together to Ha’Ma’tsapa’thah, and drew water, and poured it out before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have transgressed against 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)." And Shamu'AL judged the children of Yashar'AL in Ma’tsapah.

7 And when the Palash'tha'ym heard that the children of Yashar'AL were gathered together at Ha’Ma’tsapa’thah, the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym went up against Yashar'AL. When the children of Yashar'AL heard it, they were afraid of the Palash'tha'ym.

8  And the children of Yashar'AL said to Shamu'AL, "Do not cease to cry to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Our ALUAH for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym."

9 And Shamu'AL took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH): and Shamu'AL cried to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) for Yashar'AL; and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) answered Him.

10 And it came to be, as Shamu'AL was offering up the burnt offering, the Palash'tha'ym drew near to battle against Yashar'AL: But 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Palash'tha'ym, and confused them, and they were struck down before Yashar'AL.

11 And the men of Yashar'AL went out of Ha’Ma’tsapah, and pursued the Palash'tha'ym, and struck them, until they came to Bayath Kar.

12 Then Shamu'AL took a stone, and set it between Ha’Matsa’pah and Ha’Shan, and called its name Aban Ha'azar, saying, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) helped us until now."

13 So the Palash'tha'ym were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Yashar'AL. The hand of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was against the Palash'tha'ym all the days of Shamu'AL.

14 And the cities which the Palash'tha'ym had taken from Yashar'AL were restored to Yashar'AL, from Aq'run even to Gath; and its border did Yashar'AL recover out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym. And there was shalum (peace) between Yashar'AL and the Amar’ya.

15 And Shamu'AL judged Yashar'AL all the days of his khaYah (life).

16 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bayath AL and the Gal'gal, and Ha’Ma’tsapah, and he judged Yashar'AL in all those places.

17 Then his return was to Ramah, for there was his house, and there he judged Yashar'AL: and he built there an altar to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

 

CHAPTER 8

1 And it came to be, when Shamu'AL was old, that he made his sons judges over Yashar'AL.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was YAHU’AL, and the name of his second, AB’YAH: they were judges in Ba'ar Shaba.

3 But his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after unjust gain, and took bribes, and perverted right ruling.

4 Then all the elders of Yashar'AL gathered themselves together, and came to Shamu'AL to Ramah,

5 and they said to him, "Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

6 But the thing displeased Shamu'AL, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Shamu'AL prayed to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

7 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Shamu'AL, "Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be king over them.

8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Ma’tsara’ym even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me, and served other idols, so do they also to you.

9 Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall certainly warn them, and shall show them the way of the king who shall reign over them."

10 And Shamu'AL told all the words of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) to the people who asked of him a king.

11 And he said, "This will be the way of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen, and they shall run before his chariots,

12 and he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties, and to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

13 And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive groves, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your male servants, and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants.

18 And you shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will not answer you in that day."

19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Shamu'AL, and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us,

20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."

21 And Shamu'AL heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

22 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Shamu'AL, "Listen to their voice, and make them a king." And Shamu'AL said to the men of Yashar'AL, "Every man go to his city."

 

CHAPTER 9

1 Now there was a man of Ban’Yama’yan, whose name was Qayash, son of Ab'ya'AL, son of Tsa'rur, son of Bakur'ath, son of Apa'yakh, son of a man, Yama’yan’ya, a mighty man of power.

2 And he had a son, whose name was Sha'ul, an impressive young man, and there was not among the children of Yashar'AL a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

3 And the donkeys of Qayash, Sha'ul's father, were lost. And Qayash said to Sha'ul his son, "Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys."

4 And he passed through the mountain of Apara’ym, and passed through the land of Shalash’ah, but they did not find them: then they passed through the land of Shal’ym, and there they were not there: and he passed through the land of the Yama'yan'ya, but they did not find them.

5 When they had come to the land of Tsup, Sha'ul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys, and be anxious for us."

6 And he said to him, "See now, there is in this city a man of ALUAH, and he is a man who is held in esteem. All that he says comes surely to pass. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go."

7 Then Sha'ul said to his servant, "But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a gift to bring to the man of ALUAH. What do we have?"

8 And the servant answered Sha'ul again, and said, "Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shaqal of silver. I will give that to the man of ALUAH, to tell us our way."

9 In earlier times in Yashar'AL, when a man went to inquire of ALUAH, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer,” for he who is now called a nab’ya (prophet) was before called a Seer.

10 Then Sha'ul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of ALUAH was.

11 As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, "Is the seer here?"

12 And they answered them, and said, "He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city, for the people have a offering today in the high place.

13 As soon as you have come into the city, you shall immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he come, because he Barak the slaughtering. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up, for at this time you shall find him."

14 And they went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Shamu'AL came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

15 Now 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had revealed to Shamu'AL a day before Sha'ul came, saying,

16 "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Ban’yaman, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Yashar'AL, and he shall save My people out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym: for I have looked on My people, because their cry has come to me."

17 And when Shamu'AL saw Sha'ul, 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This same shall have authority over My people."

18 And Sha'ul drew near to Shamu'AL in the gate, and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is."

19 And Shamu'AL answered Sha'ul, and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. In the rising I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.

20 As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, do not place your mind on them, for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Yashar'AL? Is it not for you, and for all your father's house?"

21 And Sha'ul answered, "Am I not a Ban Yama’yan’ya, of the smallest of the tribes of Yashar'AL? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Ban'yaman? Why then do you speak to me like this?"

22 And Shamu'AL took Sha'ul and his servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.

23 And Shamu'AL said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, β€˜Place it aside.'"

24 And the cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and placed it before Sha'ul. And Shamu'AL said, "Behold, that which has been reserved! Place it before yourself and eat;,because for the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Sha'ul ate with Shamu'AL that day.

25 And they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Sha'ul on the housetop.

26 And they arose early: And it came to be about the dawning of the day, that Shamu'AL called to Sha'ul on the housetop, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." And Sha'ul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Shamu'AL, abroad.

27 As they were going down at the end of the city, Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "Tell the servant pass on before us" And he passed on. β€œBut stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of ALUAH."

 

CHAPTER 10

1 Then Shamu'AL took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, "Is it not that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has anointed you to be leader over His inheritance?

2 When you have departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rakhal's tomb, in the border of Ban'yaman in Tsal’tsakh, and they will tell you, 'The donkeys which you went to seek have been found, and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do for my son?"'

3 ”And you shall go on forward from there, and you shall come to the oak of Thabur, and three men shall meet you there going up to ALUAH to Bayath AL, one carrying three young goats, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

4 and they will greet you, and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive of their hand.

5 "After that you shall come to the hill of ALUAH, where is the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym: and it shall happen, when you have come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of nab’ya’ym (prophets) coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tambourine, and a pipe, and a harp, before them, and they will be naba’ym (prophesying):

6 and THE RUKH OF 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will come mightily on you, and you shall nab’ya (prophesy) with them, and shall be turned into another man.

7 And let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you do as occasion shall serve you, for ALUAH is with you.

8 β€œAnd you shall go down before me to Gal'gal; and behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt offerings, and to slaughter burnt offerings of shalum (peace) offerings: you shall wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what you shall do."

9 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Shamu'AL, ALUAH gave him another heart: and all those signs happened that day.

10 When they came there to the hill, behold, a band of nab’ya’ym (prophets) met him, and THE RUKH OF ALUAH came mightily on him, and he nab’a (prophesied) among them.

11And it came to be, when all who knew him before saw that, behold, he nab’a (prophesied) with the naba’yM (prophets), then the people said one to another, "What is this that is come to son of Qayash? Is Sha'ul also among the nab’ya’ym (prophets)?”

12 And one of the same place answered, "Who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Sha'ul also among the nab’a’ym (prophets)?”

13When he had made an end of prophesying (nab’uth - plural), he came to the high place.

14 And Sha'ul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To seek the donkeys. When we saw that they were not found, we came to Shamu'AL."

15 And Sha'ul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Shamu'AL said to you."

16 And Sha'ul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys were found." But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Shamu'AL spoke, he did not tell him.

17 And Shamu'AL called the people together to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) to Ha’Ma’tsapah,

18 and he said to the children of Yashar'AL, "Thus says 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of Yashar'AL, 'I brought up Yashar'AL out of Ma’tsara’ym, and I rescued you out of the hand of the Ma’tsara’ym, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you:'

19 but you have this day rejected your ALUAH, who Himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to Him, β€˜Because make a king over us.' Now therefore show yourselves before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) by your tribes, and by your thousands."

20 So Shamu'AL brought all the tribes of Yashar'AL near, and the tribe of Ban'yaman was taken.

21 And he brought the tribe of Ban'yaman near by their families; and the family of the Matara’ya was taken, and Sha'ul son of Qayash was taken: but when they sought him, he could not be found.

22 Therefore they asked of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) further, "Is there yet a man to come here?" And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) answered, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the equipment."

23 And they ran and fetched him there, and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

24 And Shamu'AL said to all the people, "You see him whom 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?" All the people shouted, and said, β€œKhaYah (Live) the king!"

25 Then Shamu'AL told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). And Shamu'AL sent all the people away, every man to his house.

26 And Sha'ul also went to his house to Gaba'tha’ah, and there went with him the army, whose hearts ALUAH had touched.

27 But certain worthless fellows said, "How shall this man save us?" They despised him, and brought him no gift. But he kept silent.

 

CHAPTER 11

1 And Nakhash the Amun'ya came up, and encamped against Yabash* Gal'ad: and all the men of Yaba'yash* said to Nakhash, "Make a Bar’yath (covenant) with us, and we will serve you."

*Note The Masoretic difference of the same word with variation within the same verse

2 Then Nakhash the Amun'ya said to them, "On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach on all Yashar'AL."

3 And the elders of Yaba'yash said to him, "Give us seven day, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Yashar'AL, and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you."

4 Then the messengers came to Gaba'tha of Sha'ul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

5 Behold, Sha'ul came following the oxen out of the field, and Sha'ul said, "What ails the people that they weep?" And they told him the words of the elders of Yaba'yash.

6 AND THE RUKH OF ALUAH came mightily on Sha'ul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly.

7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Yashar'AL by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come forth after Sha'ul and after Shamu'AL, so shall it be done to his oxen." And the fear of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) fell on the people, and they came out as one man.

8 And he numbered them in Bazaq; and the children of Yashar'AL were three hundred thousand, and the men of Yahudah thirty thousand.

9 And they said to the messengers who came, "Thus you shall tell the men of Yaba'yash Gal'ad, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have rescue.’” And the messengers came and told the men of Yaba'yash, and they were glad.

10 Therefore the men of Yaba'yash said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do to us as all good in your eyes."

11 And it was so on the next day, that Sha'ul put the people in three companies, and they came into the midst of the camp in the rising watch, and struck the Amun'yas until the heat of the day: And it came to be, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 And the people said to Shamu'AL, "Who is he who said, 'Shall Sha'ul reign over us?' Bring those men, that we may put them to death!"

13 And Sha'ul said, "There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has worked saving in Yashar'AL."

14 Then Shamu'AL said to the people, "Come, and let us go to Gal'gal, and renew the kingdom there."

15 And all the people went to Gal'gal, and there they made Sha'ul king before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in Gal'gal; and there they offered slaughterings of shalum (peace) offerings before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and there Sha'ul and all the men of Yashar'AL rejoiced greatly.

 

CHAPTER 12

1 And Shamu'AL said to all Yashar'AL, "Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.

2 Now behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray, and behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my youth to this day.

3 Here I am. Witness against me before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and before His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes therewith? I will restore it to you."

4 And they said, "You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything of any man's hand."

5 So he said to them, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness."

6 And Shamu'AL said to the people, "It is 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) who appointed Mashah and A'haran, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Ma’tsara’ym.

7 Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) concerning all the righteous acts of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), which He did to you and to your fathers.

8 "When Ya'aqab was come into Ma’tsara’ym, and your fathers cried to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), then 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent Mashah and A'haran, who brought forth your fathers out of Ma’tsara’ym, and made them to abide in this place.

9 "But they forgot 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Their ALUAH, and He sold them into the hand of Saya'sara, captain of the army of Kha'tsur, and into the hand of the Palash'tha'ym, and into the hand of the king of Mu'ab, and they fought against them.

10 And they cried to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and said, 'We have transgressed, because we have forsaken 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and have served the ba’al’ym and the ash'tha'ruth: but now rescue us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.'

11 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent Yaraba’al, and Badan, and Yapa’thakh, and Shamu'AL, and rescued you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you abided in safety.

12 β€œAnd when you saw that Nakhash the king of the children of Amun came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH was Your King.

13 Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for: and behold, 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has placed a king over you.

14 If you will fear 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and serve Him, and listen to His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH:

15 but if you will not listen to the voice of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), but rebel against the commandment of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), then will the hand of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16 "Now therefore stand still and see this great word that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will do before your eyes.

17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), that He may send thunder and rain, and you shall know and see that your evil is great, which you have done in the sight of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), in asking for a king."

18 So Shamu'AL called to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) and Shamu'AL.

19 And all the people said to Shamu'AL, "Pray for your servants to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH, that we not die, for we have added to all our transgressions evil, to ask us a king."

20 And Shamu'AL said to the people, "Do not be afraid. You have indeed done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), but serve 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) with all your heart.

21 And do not turn aside, after emptiness which cannot profit nor rescue, for they are vain.

22 For 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will not forsake His people for His great name's sake, because it has pleased 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) to make you His people.

23 Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should transgress against 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

24 Only fear 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and serveHhim in truth with all your heart, for consider how great He has done for you.

25 But if you shall still do evil, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."

 

CHAPTER 13

1 One year*, Sha’ul in his reign, and two years reigned over Yashar'AL,

*Some translations will attribute an age to Sha’ul, but the Yahud’yath does not give an age: It only says one year here

2 And Sha'ul chose him three thousand men of Yashar'AL, of which two thousand were with Sha'ul in Maka'mash and in the Mount of Bayath AL, and one thousand were with Yahu'nathan in Gaba'tha of Ban'yama’yan: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

3 And Yahu'nathan struck the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym that was in Gaba: and the Palash'tha'ym heard of it. And Sha'ul blew the ram’s horn throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Abara'ym hear!"

4 And all Yashar'AL heard that Sha'ul had struck the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym, and also that Yashar'AL was had in abomination with the Palash'tha'ym. And the people were gathered together after Sha'ul to Gal'gal.

5 And the Palash'tha'ym assembled themselves together to fight with Yashar'AL, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude: and they came up, and encamped in Maka'mash, eastward of Bayath A'un (A’oon).

6 And the men of Yashar'AL saw that they were in a strait, for the people were distressed, then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in coverts, and in pits.

7 Now some of the Abara'ym had gone over the Yardan to the land of Gad and Gal'ad: but as for Sha'ul, he was yet in Gal'gal, and all the people followed him trembling.

8 And he stayed seven days, according to the appointed time that [of] Shamu'AL: But Shamu'AL did not come to Gal'gal; and the people were scattered from him.

9 And Sha'ul said, "Bring here the burnt offering to me, and the shalum (peace) offerings." He offered the burnt offering.

10 And it came to be that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Shamu'AL came, and Sha'ul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

11 Then Shamu'AL said, "What have you done?" And Sha'ul said, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Palash'tha'ym assembled themselves together at Maka'mash,

12 therefore I said, 'Now the Palash'tha'ym will come down on me to Gal'gal, and I have not entreated the favor of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).' So I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering."

13 And Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH, which He commanded you, for now 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) would have established your kingdom on Yashar'AL forever.

14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has sought for himself a man after His own heart, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has appointed him to be prince over His people, because you have not kept that which 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) commanded you."

15 And Shamu'AL arose, and went from Gal'gal to Gaba'tha of Ban'yaman. And Sha'ul numbered the people who were there with him, about six hundred men.

16 And Sha'ul, and Yahu'nathan his son, and the people who were there with them, stayed in Gaba of Ban'yaman: but the Palash'tha'ym encamped in Maka'mash.

17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Palash'tha'ym in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Aparah, to the land of Shu’al,

18 and another company turned the way to Bayath Kha'run (Kha’roon), and another company turned the way of the border that looks down on the valley of Tsaba’ym toward the wilderness.

19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Yashar'AL, for the Palash'tha'ym said, "Lest the Abara'ym make them swords or spears,”

20 but all the Yashar'AL went down to the Palash'tha'ym, to sharpen every man his plowshare, mattock, axe, and sickle,

21 yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the plowshares, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to place the goads.

22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan: but with Sha'ul and with Yahu'nathan his son was there found.

23 And the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym went out to the pass of Maka'mash.

 

CHAPTER 14

1 Now it came to be the day, that Yahu'nathan son of Sha'ul said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, and let us go over to the Palash'tha'ym' garrison, that is on the other side." But he did not tell his father.

2 And Sha'ul stayed in the uttermost part of Gaba’ah under the pomegranate tree which is in Magar’un (Magar’oon): and the people who were with him were about six hundred men;

3 and Akh'Yah, son of Akh'tub (Akh’toob), Aya'Kabud's brother, son of Payana'khas, son of AL'YA, ka’ahn (priest) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in Shalah, wearing a garment. And the people did not know that Yahu'nathan was gone.

4 And between the passes, by which Yahu'nathan sought to go over to the Palash'tha'ym' garrison, there was a rocky crag on the one side, and a rocky crag on the other side: and the name of the one was Bu’tsats (Boo’tsats), and the name of the other Sanah.

5 The one crag rose up on the north in front of Maka'mash, and the other on the south in front of Gaba.

6 And Yahu'nathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will work for us, for there is no restraint on 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) to save by many or by few."

7 And his armor bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Turn and behold, I am with you according to your heart."

8 Then Yahu'nathan said, "Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will reveal ourselves to them.

9 If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you!' then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up to them.

10 But if they say this, 'Come up to us!' then we will go up, for 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has given them into our hand. And this shall be the sign to us."

11 And both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym: and the Palash'tha'ym said, "Behold, the Abara'ym are coming out of the holes where they had hidden themselves!"

12 And the men of the garrison answered Yahu'nathan and his armor bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will make you understand [the] word!” Then Yahu'nathan said to his armor bearer, "Come up after me, for 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has given them into the hand of Yashar'AL."

13 And Yahu'nathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, and his armor bearer after him: and they fell before Yahu'nathan; and his armor bearer killed them after him.

14 That first slaughter, which Yahu'nathan and his armor bearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were half a furrow's length in an acre of land.

15 And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.

16 And the watchmen of Sha'ul in Gaba'tha of Ban'yaman looked, and behold, the multitude melted away, and they went here and there.

17 Then Sha'ul said to the people who were with him, "Count now, and see who is missing from us." When they had counted, behold, Yahu'nathan and his armor bearer were not there.

18 And Sha'ul said to Akh'Yah, "Bring the Ark of ALUAH here." For the Ark of ALUAH was at that time with the children of Yashar'AL.

19 And it came to be, while Sha'ul spoke to the ka’ahn (priest), that the tumult that was in the camp of the Palash'tha'ym went on and increased: and Sha'ul said to the ka’ahn (priest), "Withdraw your hand!"

20 And Sha'ul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, a very great confusion.

21 Now the Abara'ym who were with the Palash'tha'ym as before, and who went up with them into the camp, around, even they also to be with the Yashar'AL who were with Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan.

22 And all the men of Yashar'AL who had hidden themselves in the mountain of Apara’ym, when they heard that the Palash'tha'ym fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.

23 So 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) saved Yashar'AL that day, and the battle passed over by Bayath A'un.

24 And the men of Yashar'AL were distressed that day, for Sha'ul had adjured the people, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening, and I am avenged of my enemies." So none of the people tasted food.

25 And all the people of the land came into the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

26 When the people were come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

27 But Yahu'nathan did not hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes beheld.

28 Then one of the people answered, and said, "Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed is the man who eats food this day.'" And the people were weary.

29 Then Yahu'nathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been beheld, because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? For now has there been no great slaughter among the Palash'tha'ym."

31 And they struck of the Palash'tha'ym that day from Maka'mash to Aya'lanah. So the people were very weary,

32 and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground, and the people ate with the blood.

33 Then they told Sha'ul, saying, "Behold, the people are transgressing against 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), in that they eat meat with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously. Roll a large stone to me this day!"

34 And Sha'ul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, 'Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slaughter them here, and eat, and do not transgress against 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in eating meat with the blood.'" And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slaughtered them there.

35 And Sha'ul built an altar to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). This was the first altar that he built to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

36 And Sha'ul said, "Let us go down after the Palash'tha'ym by night, and take spoil among them until the rising light, and let us not leave a man of them." And they said, β€œDo all the good in your eyes.” Then the ka’ahn (priest) said, "Let us draw near here to ALUAH."

37 And Sha'ul asked counsel of ALUAH, "Shall I go down after the Palash'tha'ym? Will You give them into the hand of Yashar'AL?" But He did not answer him that day.

38 And Sha'ul said, "Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see in which this transgression has been this day.

39 For as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, who saves Yashar'AL, though it is in Yahu'nathan my son, he shall surely die." But there was not a man among all the people who answered him.

40 Then he said to all Yashar'AL, "You be on one side, and I and Yahu'nathan my son will be on the other side." The people said to Sha'ul, "Do the good in your eyes.”

41 Therefore Sha'ul said to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL, β€œGive completion.” Yahu'nathan and Sha'ul were chosen, but the people escaped.

42 And Sha'ul said, "Cast lots between me and Yahu'nathan my son." And Yahu'nathan was taken.

43 Then Sha'ul said to Yahu'nathan, "Tell me what you have done!" And Yahu'nathan told him, and said, "I certainly did taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand, and behold, I must die."

44 And Sha'ul said, "ALUAH do so and more also, for you shall surely die, Yahu'nathan."

45 But the people said to Sha'ul, "Shall Yahu'nathan die, who has worked this great rescuing in Yashar'AL? Far from it! As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with ALUAH this day!" So the people rescued Yahu'nathan, that he did not die.

46 Then Sha'ul went up from following the Palash'tha'ym, and the Palash'tha'ym went to their own place.

47 And Sha'ul had taken the kingdom over Yashar'AL, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Mu'ab, and against the children of Amun, and against Adum, and against the kings of Tsu’bah, and against the Palash'tha'ym: and wherever he turned, he condemned.

48 And he made an army, and struck the Amalaq, and rescued Yashar'AL out of the hands of those who plundered them.

49 Now the sons of Sha'ul were Yahu'nathan, and Yashu'ya, and Malak’ya Shua, and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Marab, and the name of the younger Mayakal:

50 and the name of Sha'ul's wife was Akh'ya'nam daughter of Akh'ya'mats. And te name of the captain of his army was Ab'yanar* son of Nar, Sha'ul's uncle.

*You will notice that the yad was removed from his name in the Masoretic in other places of Scripture

51 And Qayash was the father of Sha'ul, and Nar, father of Ab'nar, son of Ab'ya'AL.

52 And there was severe war against the Palash'tha'ym all the days of Sha'ul: and when Sha'ul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him for himself.

 

CHAPTER 15

1 And Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent me to anoint you to be king over His people, over Yashar'AL. Now therefore listen to the voice of the words of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

2 Thus says 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, 'I have marked that which Amalaq did to Yashar'AL, how he placed himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Ma’tsara’ym.

3 Now go and strike Amalaq, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them, but slay both man and woman, infant and nursing baby, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

4 And Sha'ul called the people, and numbered them in Tala’ym, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Yahudah.

5 And Sha'ul came to the city of Amalaq, and laid wait in the valley.

6 And Sha'ul said to the Qayan'ya, "Go, depart, go down from among the Amalaq, lest I destroy you with them, for you showed kindness to all the children of Yashar'AL, when they came up out of Ma’tsara’ym." So the Qayan'ya departed from among the Amalaq.

7 And Sha'ul struck the Amalaq, from Khu'yalah as you go to Shur, that is before Ma’tsara’ym.

8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalaq living, and destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

9 But Sha'ul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the cattle, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed.

10 Then the word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) came to Shamu'AL, saying,

11 "It grieves me that I have placed up Sha'ul to be king, for he is turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And Shamu'AL was angry, and he cried to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) all night.

12 And Shamu'AL rose early to meet Sha'ul in the rising, and it was told Shamu'AL, saying, "Sha'ul came to Karmal, and behold, he placed up a monument for himself, and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gal'gal."

13 And Shamu'AL came to Sha'ul, and Sha'ul said to him, "You are Baruk of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)! I have performed the commandment of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

14 And Shamu'AL said, "Then what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?"

15 And Sha'ul said, "They have brought them from the Amalaq;,for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the cattle, to slaughter to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) your ALUAH. And we have destroyed the rest."

16 Then Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "Stay, and I will tell you what 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has said to me last night." And he said to him, "Say on."

17 And Shamu'AL said, "Though you were little in your own eyes, were you not made the head of the tribes of Yashar'AL? And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), He anointed you king over Yashar'AL,

18 and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent you on a journey, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the transgressors the Amalaq, and fight against them until they are consumed.'

19 Why then did you not obey the voice of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), but took the spoils, and did that which was evil in the sight of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)?"

20 And Sha'ul said to Shamu'AL, "But I have obeyed the voice of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and have gone the way which 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalaq, and have destroyed the Amalaq.

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and cattle, the chief of that which should be put under the ban, to slaughter to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH in Gal'gal."

22 Then Shamu'AL said, "Has 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) as great delight in burnt offerings and slaughterings, as in obeying the voice of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)? Behold, to obey is better than offering, and to listen than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the transgression of divination, and stubbornness is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), He has also rejected you from king."

24 And Sha'ul said to Shamu'AL, "I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and your words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

25 Now therefore, please pardon my iniquity, and turn again with me, that I may worship 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

26 But Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has rejected you from being king over Yashar'AL."

27 And as Shamu'AL turned about to go away, Sha'ul grabbed the skirt of his robe, and it tore.

28 And Shamu'AL said to him, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has torn the kingdom of Yashar'AL from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours who is better than you.

29 Also the Strength of Yashar'AL will not lie nor relent, for He is not a man, that He should relent."

30 Then he said, "I have transgressed: yet please esteem me now before the elders of my people, and before Yashar'AL, and come back with me, that I may worship 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH."

31 So Shamu'AL went back with Sha'ul, and Sha'ul worshiped 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

32 Then Shamu'AL said, "Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalaq!" So Agag came to him cheerfully. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is turned aside.”

33 And Shamu'AL said, "As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women!" Shamu'AL cut Agag in pieces before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) in Gal'gal.

34 Then Shamu'AL went to Ramah, and Sha'ul went up to his house to Gaba'tha of Sha'ul.

35 And Shamu'AL came no more to see Sha'ul until the day of his death, for Shamu'AL mourned for Sha'ul: and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) grieved that He had made Sha'ul king over Yashar'AL.

 

CHAPTER 16

1 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Shamu'AL, "How long will you mourn for Sha'ul, since I have rejected him from being king over Yashar'AL? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Yasha'ya the Bayath Ha'Lakham'ya, for I have provided a king for Myself among his sons."

2 And Shamu'AL said, "How can I go? If Sha'ul hears it, he will kill me." And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, I have come to slaughter to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

3 And call Yasha'ya to the slaughtering, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you."

4 And Shamu'AL did that which 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) spoke, and came to Bayath Lakham. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come shalam (peaceably)?”

5 And he said, β€œShalum (peaceably), I have come to slaughter to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). Make yourselves apart, and come with me to the slaughtering.” And he made part Yasha'ya and his sons, and called them to the slaughtering.

6 And it came to be, when they had come, that he looked at AL'ya'ab*, and said, "Surely the anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) is before him."

*This means: MY AL Is Father

7 But 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Shamu'AL, "Do not look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him: for not as man sees, for man looks for the eyes, but 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) looks for the heart."

8 Then Yasha'ya called Ab'ya'nadab, and made him pass before Shamu'AL. And he said, "Neither has 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) chosen this one."

9 Then Yasha'ya made Shammah to pass by. And he said, "Neither has 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) chosen this one."

10 And Yasha'ya made seven of his sons to pass before Shamu'AL. And Shamu'AL said to Yasha'ya, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has not chosen these."

11 And Shamu'AL said to Yasha'ya, "Are all your children here?" He said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Shamu'AL said to Yasha'ya, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here."

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and handsome appearance. And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."

13 Then Shamu'AL took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: AND THE RUKH OF 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) came mightily on Dau'yad from that day forward. So Shamu'AL rose up, and went to Ramah.

14 AND THE RUKH OF 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) departed from Sha'ul, and an evil Rukh from 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) troubled him.

15 And the servants of Sha'ul said to him, "See now, an evil Rukh from ALUAH troubles you.

16 Let our sovereign now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be, when the evil Rukh from ALUAH is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well."

17 And Sha'ul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."

18 Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Yasha'ya the Bayath Ha'Lakham'ya, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome man, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) is with him."

19 Therefore Sha'ul sent messengers to Yasha'ya, and said, "Send me Dau'yad your son, who is with the sheep."

20 And Yasha'ya took a donkey loaded with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by Dau'yad his son to Sha'ul.

21 And Dau'yad came to Sha'ul, and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.

22 And Sha'ul sent to Yasha'ya, saying, "Please let Dau'yad stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight."

23 And it came to be, when the Rukh from ALUAH was on Sha'ul, that Dau'yad took the harp, and played with his hand: So Sha'ul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil Rukh departed from him.

 

CHAPTER 17

1 Now the Palash'tha'ym gathered together their hosts to battle; and they were gathered together at Shakah, which belongs to Yahudah, and encamped between Shu’kah and Azaqah, in Apas Dama’ym.

2 And Sha'ul and the men of Yashar'AL were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of HA’ALUAH, and placed the battle in array against the Palash'tha'ym.

3 And the Palash'tha'ym stood on the mountain on the one side, and Yashar'AL stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

4 There went out a champion out of the camp of the Palash'tha'ym, named Gal'yath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

5 And a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shaqals of bronze.

6 And bronze shin armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders.

7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and his spear's head six hundred shaqals of iron: and his shield bearer went before him.

8 And he stood and cried to the hosts of Yashar'AL, and said to them, "Why have you come out to place your battle in array? Am I not the Palash'tha'ya, and you servants to Sha'ul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.

9 If he be able to fight with me, and smite me, then will we be your servants, but if I prevail against him, and smite him, then you will be our servants, and serve us."

10 And the Palash'tha'ya said, "I defy the hosts of Yashar'AL this day! Give me a man, that we may fight together!"

11 When Sha'ul and all Yashar'AL heard those words of the Palash'tha'ya, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

12 Now Dau'yad was son of that Apar'tha'ya of Bayath Lakham, Yahudah, whose name was Yasha'ya; and he had eight sons: and in the days of Sha'ul the man was old among men.

13 And the three eldest sons of Yasha'ya had gone after Sha'ul to the battle: and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were AL'ya'ab the firstborn, and next to him Ab'ya'nadab, and the third Shamah.

14 And Dau'yad was the youngest, and the three eldest followed Sha'ul.

15 Now Dau'yad went back and forth from Sha'ul to feed his father's sheep at Bayath Lakham.

16 And the Palash'tha'ya drew near rising and evening, and showed himself forty days.

17 And Yasha'ya said to Dau'yad his son, "Now take for your brothers a measure of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to your brothers,

18 and bring these ten cuts of cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers are doing, and bring back news."

19 Now Sha'ul and they, and all the men of Yashar'AL, were in the valley of HA’ALUAH, fighting with the Palash'tha'ym.

20 And Dau'yad rose up early in the rising, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Yasha'ya had commanded him, and he came to the place of the wagons, as the army which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle.

21 And Yashar'AL and the Palash'tha'ym put the battle in array, army against army.

22 And Dau'yad left his equipment in the hand of the keeper of the equipment, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.

23 And he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Palash'tha'ya of Gath, Gal'yath by name, out of the ranks of the Palash'tha'ym, and spoke according to the same words: and Dau'yad heard them.

24 And all the men of Yashar'AL, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were fearful.

25 And the men of Yashar'AL said, "Have you seen this man who is come up? He has surely come up to defy Yashar'AL. It shall be, that the man who kills him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Yashar'AL."

26 And Dau'yad spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done to the man who kills this Palash'tha'ya, and takes away the reproach from Yashar'AL? For who is this uncircumcised Palash'tha'ya, that he should defy the hosts of the Abiding ALUAH?"

27 And the people answered him in this way, saying, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him."

28 And AL'ya'ab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men, and AL'ya'ab's anger was kindled against Dau'yad, and he said, "Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and evil of your heart, for you have come down that you might see the battle."

29 And Dau'yad said, "What have I now done? Is there not a word?”

30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke like that again, and the people answered him again the same way.

31 And when the words were heard which Dau'yad spoke, they rehearsed them before Sha'ul, and he sent for him.

32 And Dau'yad said to Sha'ul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Palash'tha'ya."

33 And Sha'ul said to Dau'yad, "You are not able to go against this Palash'tha'ya to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."

34 And Dau'yad said to Sha'ul, "Your servant was keeping his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb out of the flock,

35 I went out after him, and struck him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and struck him, and killed him.

36 Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Palash'tha'ya shall be as one of them, since he has defied the hosts of the Abiding ALUAH."

37 And Dau'yad said, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) who rescued me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will rescue me out of the hand of this Palash'tha'ya." And Sha'ul said to Dau'yad, "Go and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) shall be with you."

38 And Sha'ul dressed Dau'yad with his clothing. He put a helmet of bronze on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.

39 And Dau'yad strapped his sword on his clothing, and he tried to move, for he had not tried it. And Dau'yad said to Sha'ul, "I can't go with these, for I have not tried them." So Dau'yad took them off.

40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his wallet. And his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Palash'tha'ya.

41 And the Palash'tha'ya came on and drew near to Dau'yad, and the man who bore the shield went before him.

42 And when the Palash'tha'ya looked about, and saw Dau'yad, he despised him, for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face.

43 And the Palash'tha'ya said to Dau'yad, "Am I the dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Palash'tha'ya cursed Dau'yad by his idols.

44 And the Palash'tha'ya said to Dau'yad, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky, and to the beasts of the field."

45 Then Dau'yad said to the Palash'tha'ya, "You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in THE NAME OF 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, The ALUAH of the hosts of Yashar'AL, whom you have reproached.

46 This is the day 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will give you into my hand. I will strike you, and take your head from off you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Palash'tha'ym this day to the birds of the sky, and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is an ALUAH in Yashar'AL,

47 and that all this assembly may know that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) does not save with sword and spear: For the battle is to 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and He will give you into our hand."

48 And it came to be, when the Palash'tha'ya arose, and came and drew near to meet Dau'yad, that Dau'yad hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Palash'tha'ya.

49 And Dau'yad put his hand in his bag, took a stone, and slung it, and struck the Palash'tha'ya in his forehead, and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.

50 So Dau'yad prevailed over the Palash'tha'ya with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Palash'tha'ya, and killed him, but there was no sword in the hand of Dau'yad.

51 Then Dau'yad ran, and stood over the Palash'tha'ya, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head therewith. When the Palash'tha'ym saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

52 And the men of Yashar'AL and of Yahudah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Palash'tha'ym as far as the entrance of the valley, and to the gates of Aq'run. And the wounded of the Palash'tha'ym fell down by the way to Shar’ym, even to Gath, and to Aq'run.

53 And the children of Yashar'AL returned from chasing after the Palash'tha'ym, and they plundered their camp.

54 And Dau'yad took the head of the Palash'tha'ya, and brought it to Yaru'shalam, but he put his armor in his tent.

55 When Sha'ul saw Dau'yad go forth against the Palash'tha'ya, he said to Ab'nar, the captain of the army, "Ab'nar, whose son is this youth?" And Ab'nar said, "As your being abides, O king, I cannot tell."

56 And the king said, "Inquire whose son the young man is!"

57 And when Dau'yad returned from the slaughter of the Palash'tha'ya, Ab'nar took him, and brought him before Sha'ul with the head of the Palash'tha'ya in his hand.

58 And Sha'ul said to him, "Whose son are you, you young man?" And Dau'yad answered, "I am son of your servant Yasha'ya the Bayath Ha'Lakham'ya."

 

CHAPTER 18

1 And it came to be, when he had made an end of speaking to Sha'ul, that the being of Yahu'nathan was knit with the being of Dau'yad, and Yahu'nathan loved him as his own being.

2 And Sha'ul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

3 Then Yahu'nathan and Dau'yad made a Bar’yath (covenant), because he loved him as his own being.

4 And Yahu'nathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to Dau'yad, and his clothing, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his sash.

5 And Dau'yad went out wherever Sha'ul sent him, behaved himself prudently: and Sha'ul placed him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of the servants of Sha'ul.

6 And it came to be as they came, when Dau'yad returned from the slaughter of the Palash'tha'ya, that the women came out of all the cities of Yashar'AL, singing and dancing, to meet king Sha'ul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.

7 And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, "Sha'ul has slain his thousands, and Dau'yad his ten thousands."

8 And Sha'ul was very angry, and this saying displeased him, and he said, "They have ascribed to Dau'yad ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands. What can he have more but the kingdom?"

9 And Sha'ul eyed Dau'yad from that day and forward.

10 And it came to be on the next day, that an evil Rukh from ALUAH came mightily on Sha'ul, and he nab’a (prophesied) in the midst of the house. And Dau'yad played with his hand, as he did day by day. And Sha'ul had his spear in his hand,

11 and Sha'ul threw the spear, for he said, "I will pin Dau'yad even to the wall!" Dau'yad escaped from his face twice.

12 And Sha'ul was afraid of Dau'yad, because 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was with him, and was departed from Sha'ul.

13 Therefore Sha'ul removed him from among him, and made him his captain over a thousand, and he went out and came in before the people.

14 And Dau'yad behaved himself prudently in all his ways, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was with him.

15 When Sha'ul saw that he behaved himself very prudently, he stood in awe of him.

16 But all Yashar'AL and Yahudah loved Dau'yad, for he went out and came in before them.

17 And Sha'ul said to Dau'yad, "Behold, my elder daughter Marab, I will give her to you as wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight the battles of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)." For Sha'ul said, β€œLet not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Palash'tha'ym be on him."

18 And Dau'yad said to Sha'ul, "Who am I, and what is my khaYah (life), or my father's family in Yashar'AL, that I should be son in law to the king?"

19 And it came to be at the time when Marab, daughter of Sha'ul, should have been given to Dau'yad, that she was given to Adar'ya'AL the Makhal’tha’ya as wife.

20 And Mayakal, daughter of Sha'ul, loved Dau'yad, and they told Sha'ul, and the word pleased him.

21 And Sha'ul said, I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Palash'tha'ym may be against him. Therefore Sha'ul said to Dau'yad, "You shall this day be my son in law a second time."

22 And Sha'ul commanded his servants, "Talk with Dau'yad secretly, and say, 'Behold, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you: now therefore be the king's son in law.'"

23 And the servants of Sha'ul spoke those words in the ears of Dau'yad. And Dau'yad said, "Does it seems to you a light thing to be the king's son in law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?"

24 And the servants of Sha'ul told him, saying, "Dau'yad spoke like this."

25 And Sha'ul said, "You shall tell Dau'yad, 'The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Palash'tha'ym, to be avenged of the king's enemies.'" Now Sha'ul thought to make Dau'yad fall by the hand of the Palash'tha'ym.

26 When his servants told Dau'yad these words, it pleased Dau'yad well to be the king's son in law. The days were not expired,

27 and Dau'yad arose and went, he and his men, and killed of the Palash'tha'ym two hundred men, and Dau'yad brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. Sha'ul gave him Mayakal his daughter as wife.

28 And Sha'ul saw and knew that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was with Dau'yad, and Mayakal, daughter of Sha'ul, loved him.

29 And Sha'ul was yet the more afraid of Dau'yad, and Sha'ul was Dau'yad's enemy all the days.

30 And the princes of the Palash'tha'ym went forth: and it came to be, as often as they went forth, that Dau'yad behaved himself more prudently than all the servants of Sha'ul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

 

CHAPTER 19

1 And Sha'ul spoke to Yahu'nathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill Dau'yad. But Yahu'nathan, son of Sha'ul, delighted much in Dau'yad.

2 And Yahu'nathan told Dau'yad, saying, "Sha'ul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, please take care of yourself in the rising, and abide in a secret place, and hide yourself.

3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will talk with my father about you, and if I see anything, I will tell you."

4 And Yahu'nathan spoke good of Dau'yad to Sha'ul his father, and said to him, "Do not let the king transgress against his servant, against Dau'yad, because he has not transgressed against you, and because his works have been very good toward you,

5 for he put his being in his hand, and struck the Palash'tha'ya, and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) worked a great rescue for all Yashar'AL. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you transgress against innocent blood, to kill Dau'yad without a cause?"

6 And Sha'ul listened to the voice of Yahu'nathan: and Sha'ul swore, "As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, he shall not be put to death."

7 And Yahu'nathan called Dau'yad, and Yahu'nathan told him all these words. And Yahu'nathan brought Dau'yad to Sha'ul, and he was before his face, as before.

8 And there was war again, and Dau'yad went out, and fought with the Palash'tha'ym, and killed them with a great slaughter, and they fled before him.

9 And an evil rukh from 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was on Sha'ul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, and Dau'yad was playing with his hand.

10 And Sha'ul sought to pin Dau'yad even to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Sha'ul's face, and he stuck the spear into the wall. And Dau'yad fled, and escaped that night.

11 And Sha'ul sent messengers to the house of Dau'yad, to watch him, and to kill him in the rising. And Mayakal, Dau'yad's wife, told him, saying, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed."

12 So Mayakal let Dau'yad down through the window. And he went, fled, and escaped.

13 And Mayakal took the household idols, and laid it in the bed, and put a quilt of goats at its head, and covered it with the clothes.

14 And when Sha'ul sent messengers to take Dau'yad, she said: "He is sick."

15 And Sha'ul sent the messengers to see Dau'yad, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may kill him."

16 And the messengers came in, and behold, the household idols was in the bed, with the quilt of goats at its head.

17 And Sha'ul said to Mayakal, "Why have you deceived me thus, and let my enemy go, so that he is escaped?" And Mayakal answered Sha'ul, "He said to me, 'Let me go! Why should I kill you?'"

18 Now Dau'yad fled, and escaped, and came to Shamu'AL to Ramah, and told him all that Sha'ul had done to him. And He and Shamu'AL went and abided in Na'yuth.

19 And it was told Sha'ul, saying, "Behold, Dau'yad is at Na'yuth (Na’yooth) in Ramah."

20 And Sha'ul sent messengers to take Dau'yad: and when they saw the company of the nab’ya’ym (prophets) naba’ym (prophesying), and Shamu'AL standing as head over them, THE RUKH OF ALUAH came on the messengers of Sha'ul, and they also nab’a (prophesied).

21 And when it was told Sha'ul, he sent other messengers, and they also nab’a (prophesied). And Sha'ul sent messengers again the third time, and they also nab’a (prophesied).

22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to the great well that is in Shaku: and he asked, "Where are Shamu'AL and Dau'yad?" One said, "Behold, they are at Na'yuth in Ramah."

23 And he went there to Na'yuth in Ramah. Then THE RUKH OF ALUAH came on him also, and he went on, and nab’a (prophesied), until he came to Na'yuth in Ramah.

24 And he also stripped off his clothes, and he also nab’a (prophesied) before Shamu'AL, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Sha'ul also among the nab’yam (prophets)?”

 

CHAPTER 20

1 And Dau'yad fled from Na'yuth (Na’yooth) in Ramah, and came and said before Yahu'nathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my transgression before your father, that he seeks my being?”

2 And he said to him, "Far from it, you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing either great or small, but that he discloses it to me, and why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so."

3 And Dau'yad swore moreover, and said, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he says, 'Do not let Yahu'nathan know this, lest he be grieved,’ but truly as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, and as your being abides, there is but a step between me and death."

4 Then Yahu'nathan said to Dau'yad, "Whatever your being says, I will do for you."

5 And Dau'yad said to Yahu'nathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the new month, and I should not fail to dine with the king, but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field until the evening of the third.

6 If your father miss me at all, then say, 'Dau'yad earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bayath Lakham his city, for it is the yearly slaughtering there for all the family.'

7 If he says, 'It is well,’ your servant shall have shalum (peace): but if he be angry, then know that evil is determined by him.

8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a Bar’yath (covenant) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) with you: but if there be in me iniquity, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?"

9 And Yahu'nathan said, "Far be it from you, for if I should at all know that evil were determined by my father to come on you, then would I not tell you that?"

10 Then Dau'yad said to Yahu'nathan, "Who shall tell me if perchance your father answers you roughly?"

11 And Yahu'nathan said to Dau'yad, "Come, and let us go out into the field." And they both went out into the field.

12 And Yahu'nathan said to Dau'yad, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL: When I have sounded my father about this time tomorrow the third, behold, if there be good toward Dau'yad, shall I not then send to you, and disclose it to you?

13 Let 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) do so to Yahu'nathan, and more also, should it please my father to do you evil, if I do not disclose it to you, and send you away, that you may go for shalum (peace): and 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) be with you, as he has been with my father.

14 And show me the loving kindness of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), not only while I still khaYah (live), so that I do not ide,

15 but also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has cut off the enemies of Dau'yad everyone from the surface of the earth."

16 So Yahu'nathan made a Bar’yath (covenant) with the house of Dau'yad, saying, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will require it at the hand of Dau'yad's enemies."

17 And Yahu'nathan caused Dau'yad to swear again, for the love that he had to him, for he loved him as he loved his own being.

18 Then Yahu'nathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new month: and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty.

19 When you have stayed three days, you shall go down quickly, and come to the place where you did hide yourself when the business was in hand, and shall remain by the stone Azal.

20 And I will shoot three arrows on its side, as though I shot at a mark.

21 Behold, I will send the boy, saying, 'Go, find the arrows!' If I tell the boy, 'Behold, the arrows are on this side of you. Take them' then come, for there is shalum (peace) to you and no hurt, as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides.

22 But if I say this to the boy, 'Behold, the arrows are beyond you' then go your way; for 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has sent you away.

23 Concerning the matter which you and I have spoken of, behold, 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) is between you and me forever."

24 So Dau'yad hid himself in the field: and when the new month was come, the king sat him down to eat food.

25 And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, even on the seat by the wall, and Yahu'nathan stood up, and Ab'nar sat by Sha'ul's side: but Dau'yad's place was empty.

26 Nevertheless Sha'ul did not say anything that day: for he thought, β€œAn incident happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean."

27 And it came to be on the next day after the new month, the second day, that Dau'yad's place was empty. And Sha'ul said to Yahu'nathan his son, "Why does son of Yasha'ya not come to eat, neither yesterday, nor today?"

28 And Yahu'nathan answered Sha'ul, "Dau'yad earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bayath Lakham.

29 And he said, 'Please let me go, for our family has a slaughtering in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go away and see my brothers.' Therefore he has not come to the king's table."

30 Then Sha'ul's anger was kindled against Yahu'nathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen son of Yasha'ya to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?

31 For as long as son of Yasha'ya abides on the earth, you shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!"

32 And Yahu'nathan answered Sha'ul his father, and said to him, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?"

33 And Sha'ul cast his spear at him to strike him. By this Yahu'nathan knew that his father was determined to put Dau'yad to death.

34 So Yahu'nathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the new month, for he was grieved for Dau'yad, because his father had done him shame.

35 And it came to be in the rising, that Yahu'nathan went out into the field at the time appointed with Dau'yad, and a little boy with him.

36 And he said to his boy, "Run, find now the arrows which I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.

37 When the boy was come to the place of the arrow which Yahu'nathan had shot, Yahu'nathan cried after the boy, and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?"

38 And Yahu'nathan cried after the boy, "Go fast! Hurry! Do not stand!” Yahu'nathan's boy gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

39 But the boy did not know anything. Only Yahu'nathan and Dau'yad knew of the word.

40 And Yahu'nathan gave his weapons to his boy, and said to him, "Go, carry them to the city."

41 As soon as the boy was gone, Dau'yad arose from toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times. And they kissed one another, and wept one with another, and Dau'yad wept the most.

42 And Yahu'nathan said to Dau'yad, "Go for shalum (peac)e, because we have both sworn in the name of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), saying, '𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, forever.'" He arose and departed, and Yahu'nathan went into the city.

 

CHAPTER 21

1 Then came Dau'yad [to] Nab’ah to Akh'ya'malak the ka’ahn (priest). Akh'ya'malak came to meet Dau'yad trembling, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no man with you?"

2 And Dau'yad said to Akh'ya'malak the ka’ahn (priest), "The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me, 'Let no man know anything of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you; and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.'

3 Now therefore what is under your hand? Give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever there is discovered.”

4 And the ka’ahn (priest) answered Dau'yad, and said, "There is no common bread under my hand, but there is Made Apart bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women."

5 And Dau'yad answered the ka’ahn (priest), and said to him, "Truly, women have been kept from us about these three days. When I came out, the vessels of the young men were Made Apart, though it was but a ordinary journey. How much more then today shall their vessels be Made Apart?"

6 So the ka’ahn (priest) gave him Made Apart, for there was no bread there but the show bread, that was taken from before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

7 Now a certain man of the servants of Sha'ul was there that day, detained before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and his name was Dag (Daug) the Adam'ya, the best of the herdsmen who belonged to Sha'ul.

8 And Dau'yad said to Akh'ya'malak, "Is there not here under your hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste."

9 And the ka’ahn (priest) said, "The sword of Gal'yath the Palash'tha'ya, whom you killed in the valley of ALUAH, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the garment. If you will take it, take it. For there is no other except that here." And Dau'yad said, "There is none like that. Give it to me."

10 And Dau'yad arose, and fled that day for fear of Sha'ul, and went to Akh'yash the king of Gath.

11 And the servants of Akh'yash said to him, "Is this not Dau'yad the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Sha'ul has slain his thousands, Dau'yad his ten thousands?'"

12 And Dau'yad laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Akh'yash the king of Gath.

13 And he changed his behavior in their eyes, and feigned madness in their hands, and scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.

14 Then Akh'yash said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me?

15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to play the madman in my face? Shall this one come into my house?"

 

CHAPTER 22

1 And Dau'yad therefore departed there, and escaped to the cave of Adalam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him.

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

3 And Dau'yad went there to Ma’tsapah of Mu'ab, and he said to the king of Mu'ab, "Please let my father and my mother come out with you, until I know what ALUAH will do for me."

4 And he brought them before the king of Mu'ab, and they abided with him all the while that Dau'yad was in the stronghold.

5 And the prophet Gad said to Dau'yad, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart, and go into the land of Yahudah." Then Dau'yad departed, and came into the forest of Kharath.

6 And Sha'ul heard that Dau'yad was discovered, and the men who were with him. Now Sha'ul was sitting in Gaba'tha, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.

7 And Sha'ul said to his servants who stood about him, "Hear now, Ban’ya Yama'yan'ya! Will son of Yasha'ya give everyone of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,

8 that all of you have conspired against me, and there is none who discloses to me when my son makes a treaty with son of Yasha'ya, and there is none of you who is grieved for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?"

9 Then Dag (Daug) the Adam'ya, who stood by the servants of Sha'ul, answered and said, "I saw son of Yasha'ya coming to Nab, to Akh'ya'malak son of Akh'tub.

10 And he inquired of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) for him, gave him food, and gave him the sword of Gal'yath the Palash'tha'ya."

11 Then the king sent to call Akh'ya'malak the ka’ahn (priest), son of Akh'tub, and all his father's house, the ka’ahn’ym (priests) who were in Nab: and they came all of them to the king.

12 And Sha'ul said, "Hear now, you son of Akh'tub." And he answered, "Here I am, my sovereign."

13 And Sha'ul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and son of Yasha'ya, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of ALUAH for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?"

14 Then Akh'ya'malak answered the king, and said, "Who among all your servants is so trustworthy as Dau'yad, who is the king's son-in-law, and is taken into your council, and is esteemable in your house?

15 Have I today begun to inquire of ALUAH for him? Be it far from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father, for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more."

16 And the king said, "You shall surely die, Akh'ya'malak, you, and all your father's house."

17 And the king said to the guard who stood about him, "Turn, and kill the ka’ahn’ym (priests) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), because their hand also is with Dau'yad, and because they knew that he fled, and did not disclose it to me." But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall on the ka’ahn’ym (priests) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

18 And the king said to Dag (Daug), "Turn and attack the ka’ahn’ym (priests!)” And Dag (Daug) the Adam'ya turned, and he attacked the ka’ahn’ym (priests), and he killed on that day eighty five people who wore a linen garment.

19 And he struck Nab, the city of the ka’ahn’ym (priests), with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and cattle and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

20 One of the sons of Akh'ya'malak, son of Akh'tub, named Ab'yathar, escaped, and fled after Dau'yad.

21 And Ab'yathar told Dau'yad that Sha'ul had slain the ka’ahn’ym (priests) of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

22 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yathar, "I knew on that day, when Dag (Daug) the Adam'ya was there, that he would surely tell Sha'ul. I am responsible for the death of all the beings of your father's house.

23 Stay with me, fear not, for he who seeks my being seeks your being. For with me you shall be guarded.”

 

CHAPTER 23

1 And Dau'yad was informed, "Behold, the Palash'tha'ym are fighting in Qa'yalah, and are robbing the threshing floors."

2 Therefore Dau'yad inquired of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), saying, "Shall I go and strike these Palash'tha'ym?" And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to Dau'yad, "Go and strike the Palash'tha'ym, and save Qa'yalah."

3 And Dau'yad's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Yahudah: how much more then if we go to Qa'yalah against the hosts of the Palash'tha'ym?"

4 Then Dau'yad inquired of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) yet again. 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) answered him, and said, "Arise, go down to Qa'yalah, for I will bring the Palash'tha'ym into your hand."

5 So Dau'yad and his men went to Qa'yalah, and fought with the Palash'tha'ym, and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. So Dau'yad saved the inhabitants of Qa'yalah.

6 And it came to be, when Ab'yathar son of Akh'ya'malak fled to Dau'yad to Qa'yalah, that he came down with an garment in his hand.

7 And it was informed Sha'ul that Dau'yad had come to Qa'yalah. And Sha'ul said, "ALUAH has regarded him into my hand, for he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars."

8 And Sha'ul called all the people to war, to go down to Qa'yalah, to besiege Dau'yad and his men.

9 And Dau'yad knew that Sha'ul plotted mischief against him, and he said to Ab'yathar the ka’ahn (priest) , "Bring the garment here."

10 Then Dau'yad said, "O 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of Yashar'AL, your servant has surely heard that Sha'ul seeks to come to Qa'yalah, to destroy the city for my sake.

11 Will the men of Qa'yalah give me up into his hand? Will Sha'ul come down, as your servant has heard? O 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, I beg you, tell your servant." And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said, "He will come down."

12 Then Dau'yad said, "Will the men of Qa'yalah bring me and my men into the hand of Sha'ul?" And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said, "They will give you up."

13Then Dau'yad and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Qa'yalah, and went wherever they could go. And it was informed Sha'ul that Dau'yad was escaped from Qa'yalah, and he gave up going there.

14 And Dau'yad stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the mountain in the wilderness of Zayap. And Sha'ul sought him every day, but ALUAH didn't give him into his hand.

15 And Dau'yad saw that Sha'ul had come out to seek his being. And Dau'yad was in the wilderness of Zayap in the wood.

16 And Yahu'nathan, son of Sha'ul, arose, and went to Dau'yad into the woods, and strengthened his hand in ALUAH.

17 And said to him, "Do not be afraid, for the hand of Sha'ul my father shall not find you, and you shall be king over Yashar'AL, and I shall be next to you, and that also Sha'ul my father knows."

18 And they made a Bar’yath (covenant) before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH): and Dau'yad stayed in the woods, and Yahu'nathan went to his house.

19 Then the Zaya’ym came up to Sha'ul to Gaba'tha, saying, "Does not Dau'yad hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Ha'Khal'yalah, which is on the south of the desert?

20 Now therefore, O king, come down, according to all the desire of your being to come down, and our part shall be to give him up into the king's hand."

21 And Sha'ul said, "You are Baruk by 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), for you have had compassion on me.

22 Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, who has seen him there, for it is told me that he deals very subtly.

23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself, and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Yahudah."

24 And they arose, and went to Zayap before Sha'ul: but Dau'yad and his men were in the wilderness of Ma'un (Muh’oon), in the plain on the south of the desert.

25 And Sha'ul and his men went to seek him. When Dau'yad was told, he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Ma'un. When Sha'ul heard, he pursued after Dau'yad in the wilderness of Ma'un.

26 And Sha'ul went on this side of the mountain, and Dau'yad and his men on that side of the mountain: and Dau'yad made haste to get away for fear of Sha'ul, for Sha'ul and his men surrounded Dau'yad and his men to take them.

27 But a messenger came to Sha'ul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Palash'tha'ym have made a raid on the land!"

28 So Sha'ul returned from pursuing after Dau'yad, and went against the Palash'tha'ym: therefore they called that place Sala Ha’Makhal’quth.

29 And Dau'yad went up from there, and abided in the strongholds of Ayan Gad’ya.

 

CHAPTER 24

1 And it came to be, when Sha'ul was returned from following the Palash'tha'ym, that it was told him, saying, "Behold, Dau'yad is in the wilderness of Ayan Gad’ya.”

2 Then Sha'ul took three thousand chosen men out of all Yashar'AL, and went to seek Dau'yad and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.

3 And he came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave: and Sha'ul went in to relieve himself. Now Dau'yad and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.

4 And the men of Dau'yad said to him, "Behold, the day of which 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as what is good in your eyes.’” Then Dau'yad arose, and cut off the corner of Sha'ul's robe secretly.

5 And it came to be afterward, that Dau'yad's heart struck him, because he had cut off Sha'ul's skirt.

6 And he said to his men, "𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) forbid that I should do this matter to my sovereign, anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), to put forth my hand against him, since he is anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

7 So Dau'yad checked his men with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Sha'ul. And Sha'ul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

8 And Dau'yad also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Sha'ul, saying, "My sovereign the king!" When Sha'ul looked behind him, Dau'yad bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.

9 And Dau'yad said to Sha'ul, "Why do you listen to words of men, saying, 'Behold, Dau'yad seeks your hurt?'

10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had brought you today into my hand in the cave, and said to kill you, but I spared you, and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my sovereign, for he is anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

11 And my father, behold! Yea, see the skirt of your robe in my hand, for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and did not slay you, know and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my being to take it.

12 May 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) judge between me and you, and may 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) avenge me of you, but my hand shall not be on you.

13 As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness' but my hand shall not be on you.

14 Against whom has the king of Yashar'AL come out? Whom do you pursue? After a dead dog? After one flea?

15 May 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and govern me out of your hand."

16 And it came to pass, when Dau'yad had made an end of speaking these words to Sha'ul, that Sha'ul said, "Is this your voice, my son Dau'yad?" And Sha'ul lifted up his voice, and wept.

17 And he said to Dau'yad, "You are more righteous than I, for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.

18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, because when 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) had given me up into your hand, you did not kill me.

19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.

20 Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Yashar'AL shall be established in your hand.

21 Swear now therefore to me by 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house."

22 And Dau'yad swore to Sha'ul. Then Sha'ul went home, but Dau'yad and his men went up to the stronghold.

 

CHAPTER 25

1 And Shamu'AL died, and all Yashar'AL gathered themselves together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And Dau'yad arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

2 Now there was a man in Ma'un, whose possessions were in Karmal, and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Karmal.

3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Ab'ga'yal*, and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was harsh and evil in his doings, and he was of the house of Kalab.

*You will see in the Masoretic that this is one of few times where her name lacks the yad. But all the other times in the book, the extra yad is included

4 And Dau'yad heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

5 And Dau'yad sent ten young men, and Dau'yad said to the young men, "Go up to Karmal, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.

6 And tell him, 'Long khaYah (life) to you! Shalum (peace) be to you, and shalum (peace) be to your house, and shalum (peace) be to all that you have.

7 Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we did them no hurt, neither was there anything missing to them, all the while they were in Karmal.

8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore, let the young men find favor in your eyes, for we come in a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son Dau'yad.'"

9 And when Dau'yad's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of Dau'yad, and rested.

10 But Nabal answered Dau'yad's servants, and said, "Who is Dau'yad? Who is son of Yasha'ya? There are many servants who break away from their sovereigns these days.

11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don't know where they come from?"

12 So Dau'yad's young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words.

13 And Dau'yad said to his men, "Every man put on his sword!" Every man put on his sword. And Dau'yad also put on his sword. And about four hundred men followed Dau'yad, and two hundred stayed by the equipment.

14 But one of the young men told Ab'yaga'yal*, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, Dau'yad sent messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master, and he railed at them.

*See Note on Verse 1 in this chapter

15 But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we went with them, when we were in the fields.

16 They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.

17 Now therefore know and consider what you will do, for evil is determined against our sovereign, and against all his house, for he is such a worthless son that one cannot speak to him."

18 Then Ab'yaga'yal hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, and two skins of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, five measures of parched grain, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.

19 And she said to her young men, "Go on before me. Behold, I come after you." But she did not tell her husband, Nabal.

20 And it was so, as she rode on her donkey, and came down by the cover of the mountain, that behold, Dau'yad and his men came down toward her, and she met them.

21 Now Dau'yad had said, "Surely in vain have I kept all that this one has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. And he has returned me evil for good.

22 Let ALUAH do so to the enemies of Dau'yad, and more also, if I leave of all that belongs to him by the rising light so much as one who urinates on a wall."

23 When Ab'yaga'yal saw Dau'yad, she hurried, and alighted from her donkey, and fell before Dau'yad on her face, and bowed herself to the ground.

24 And fell at his feet, and said, "On me, my sovereign, on me be the iniquity, and please let your handmaid speak in your ears. Hear the words of your handmaid.

25 Please do not let my sovereign regard this worthless fellow, even Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him, but I, your handmaid, did not see the young men of my sovereign, whom you sent.

26 Now therefore, my sovereign, as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, and as your being abides, since 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has withheld you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies, and those who seek evil to my sovereign, be as Nabal.

27 Now this gift which your servant has brought to my sovereign, let it be given to the young men who follow my sovereign.

28 Please forgive the trespass of your handmaid. For 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will certainly make my sovereign a sure house, because my sovereign fights the battles of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and evil shall not be found in you all your days.

29 Though men may rise up to pursue you, and to seek your being, yet the being of my sovereign shall be bound in the bundle of khaYah’ym (life) with 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH. He will sling out the beings of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling.

30 And it shall be, when 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has done to my sovereign according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and shall have appointed you ruler over Yashar'AL,

31 that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my sovereign, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my sovereign has avenged himself. When 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has dealt well with my sovereign, then remember your handmaid."

32 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yaga'yal, "Baruk be 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL, who sent you this day to meet me!

33 And Baruk is your discernment, and Baruk are you, that have kept me this day from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand.

34 For indeed, as 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of Yashar'AL Abides, who has withheld me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal by the rising light so much as one who urinates on a wall."

35 So Dau'yad received of her hand that which she had brought him: and he said to her, "Go up for shalum (peace) to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request."

36 And Ab'yaga'yal came to Nabal, and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken. Therefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the rising light.

37 And it came to be in the rising, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these words, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.

38 And it came to be about ten days after, that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) struck Nabal, so that he died.

39 When Dau'yad heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Baruk be 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. For 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head." And Dau'yad sent and spoke concerning Ab'yaga'yal, to take her to him as wife.

40 When the servants of Dau'yad had come to Ab'yaga'yal to Karmal, they spoke to her, saying, "Dau'yad has sent us to you, to take you to him as wife."

41 And she arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, "Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my sovereign."

42 And Ab'yaga'yal hurried and arose, and rode on a donkey, with five ladies of hers who followed her, and she went after the messengers of Dau'yad, and became his wife.

43 Dau'yad also took Akh'ya'nam of Yazara'AL, and they both became his wives.

44 Now Sha'ul had given Mayakal his daughter, Dau'yad's wife, to Palata’ya son of La’yash, who was from Gal’ym.

 

CHAPTER 26

1 And the Zap'ym came to Sha'ul to Gaba'thah, saying, "Does not Dau'yad hide himself in the hill of Ha'Khal'yalah, which is before the desert?"

2 Then Sha'ul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Zayap, having three thousand chosen men of Yashar'AL with him, to seek Dau'yad in the wilderness of Zayap.

3 And Sha'ul encamped in the hill of Ha'Khal'yalah, which is before the desert, by the way. But Dau'yad stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Sha'ul came after him into the wilderness.

4 And Dau'yad therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul had certainly come.

5 And Dau'yad arose, and came to the place where Sha'ul had encamped, and Dau'yad saw the place where Sha'ul lay, and Ab'nar son of Nar, the captain of his army: and Sha'ul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.

6 Then answered Dau'yad and said to Akh'ya'malak the Khath'ya, and to Ab'yasha'ya son of Tsaru’Yah, brother to Yahu’ab, saying, "Who will go down with me to Sha'ul to the camp?" And Ab'yasha'ya said, "I will go down with you."

7 So Dau'yad and Ab'yasha'ya came to the people by night: and behold, Sha'ul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Ab'nar and the people lay around him.

8 Then Ab'yasha'ya said to Dau'yad, "ALUAH has given up your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore please let me strike him with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time."

9 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yasha'ya, "Do not destroy him, for who can put forth his hand against the anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and be guiltless?"

10 And Dau'yad said, "As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle and perish.

11 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) forbid that I should put forth my hand against anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), but now please take the spear that is at his head, and the jug of water, and let us go."

12 So Dau'yad took the spear and the jug of water from Sha'ul's head and went away: and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) was fallen on them.

13 Then Dau'yad went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off, a great space being between them,

14 and Dau'yad cried to the people, and to Ab'nar son of Nar, saying, "Do you not answer, Ab'nar?" Then Ab'nar answered, "Who are you who cries to the king?"

15 And Dau'yad said to Ab'nar, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Yashar'AL? Why then have you not kept watch over your sovereign, the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your sovereign.

16 This matter is not good that you have done. As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your sovereign, the anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH). Now see where the king's spear is, and the jug of water that was at his head."

17 And Sha'ul knew Dau'yad's voice, and said, "Is this your voice, my son Dau'yad?" And Dau'yad said, "It is my voice, my sovereign, O king."

18 And he said, "Why does my sovereign pursue after his servant? For what have I done? Or what evil is in my hand?

19 Now therefore, please let my sovereign the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), for they have driven me out this day that I should not cling to the inheritance of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), saying, 'Go, serve other idols!'

20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the face of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), for the king of Yashar'AL has come out to seek one flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

21 Then Sha'ul said, "I have transgressed. Return, my son Dau'yad, for I will no more do you harm, because my being was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."

22 And Dau'yad answered, "Behold the spear, O king! Then let one of the young men come over and get it.

23 And let 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) render to every man his righteousness and his trustworthiness, because 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) gave you into my hand today, and I would not put forth my hand against the anointed of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH).

24 Behold, as your being was respected this day in my eyes, so let my being be respected in the eyes of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and let Him rescue me out of all oppression."

25 Then Sha'ul said to Dau'yad, "You are Baruk, my son Dau'yad. You shall both do mightily, and shall surely prevail." So Dau'yad went his way, and Sha'ul returned to his place.

 

CHAPTER 27

1 And Dau'yad said in his heart, "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Sha'ul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Palash'tha'ym, and Sha'ul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Yashar'AL. So shall I escape out of his hand."

2 So Dau'yad arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Akh'yash son of Ma’uk (Muh’ook), king of Gath.

3 And Dau'yad abided with Akh'yash at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even Dau'yad with his two wives, Akh'ya'nam the Yazara'AL’yth, and Ab'yaga'yal the Karmal’yth, Nabal's widow.

4 And it was told Sha'ul that Dau'yad was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

5 And Dau'yad said to Akh'yash, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may abide there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?"

6 Then Akh'yash gave him Tsaqa'lag that day: why Tsaqa'lag pertains to the kings of Yahudah to this day.

7 And the number of the days that Dau'yad abided in the country of the Palash'tha'ym was days* and four months.

*The Yahud’yath word used here is yam’ym to mean days

8 And Dau'yad and his men went up, and made a raid on the Gashur’ym, and the Garaz’ya, and the Amalaq, for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as you go to Shur’ah, even to the land of Ma’tsara’ym.

9 And Dau'yad struck the land, and saved neither man nor woman living, and took away the sheep, and the cattle, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the clothing, and he returned, and came to Akh'yash.

10 And Akh'yash said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" Dau'yad said, "Against the South of Yahudah, against the South of the Ya'Rakham'AL'ya, and against the South of the Qayan'ya."

11 Dau'yad saved neither man nor woman living, to bring them to Gath, saying, "Lest they should tell of us, saying, 'So did Dau'yad, and so has been his way all the while he has abided in the country of the Palash'tha'ym.'"

12 And Akh'yash trusted Dau'yad, saying, β€œA stench, abhorrence has he made with his people in Yashar'AL. Therefore he shall be for my servant forever."

 

CHAPTER 28

1 And it came to be in those days, that the Palash'tha'ym gathered their hosts together for warfare, to fight with Yashar'AL. And Akh'yash said to Dau'yad, "Know assuredly that you shall go out with me in the army, you and your men."

2 And Dau'yad said to Akh'yash, "Therefore you shall know what your servant will do." And Akh'yash said to Dau'yad, "Therefore will I make you my chief guardian for ever."

3 Now Shamu'AL was dead, and all Yashar'AL had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Sha'ul had put away those who had mediums, and the wizards, out of the land.

4 And the Palash'tha'ym gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunam: and Sha'ul gathered all Yashar'AL together, and they encamped in Gal'ba.

5 When Sha'ul saw the army of the Palash'tha'ym, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

6 When Sha'ul inquired of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Aur’ym, nor by nab’yam (prophets).

7 Then Sha'ul said to his servants, "Seek me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her, and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium in Ayan Dur."

8 And Sha'ul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, "Please divine to me by the medium, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you."

9 And the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Sha'ul has done, how he has cut off the mediums, and the wizards, out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my being, to cause me to die?"

10 And Sha'ul swore to her by 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), saying, "As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, no punishment shall happen to you in this word.”

11 And the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up to you?" And he said, "Bring Shamu'AL up for me."

12 And when the woman saw Shamu'AL, she cried with a loud voice, and the woman spoke to Sha'ul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Sha'ul!"

13 And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid. For what do you see?" The woman said to Sha'ul, "I see a mighty one coming up out of the earth."

14 And he said to her, "What is his form?” And she said, "An old man comes up, and he is covered with a robe." And Sha'ul perceived that it was Shamu'AL, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

15 And Shamu'AL said to Sha'ul, "Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" And Sha'ul answered, "I am very distressed, for the Palash'tha'ym make war against me, and ALUAH has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by nab’yam (prophets), nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do."

16 And Shamu'AL said, "Why then do you ask of me, since 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has departed from you and has become your adversary?

17 And 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has done to you as he spoke by me. For 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to Dau'yad.

18 Because you did not obey the voice of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), and did not execute his fierce wrath on Amalaq, therefore 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has done this word to you this day.

19 Moreover 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will give Yashar'AL also with you into the hand of the Palash'tha'ym, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) will give the army of Yashar'AL also into the hand of the Palash'tha'ym."

20 Then Sha'ul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of the words of Shamu'AL. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

21 And the woman came to Sha'ul, and saw that he was very troubled, and said to him, "Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my being in my hands, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.

22 Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me place a morsel of bread before you, and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way."

23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him, and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.

24 And the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she hurried and slaughtered it. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it.

25 And she brought it before Sha'ul, and before his servants, and they ate. And they rose up and went away that night.

 

CHAPTER 29

1 Now the Palash'tha'ym gathered together all their hosts to Apaq: and Yashar'AL encamped by a fountain that is in Yazara'AL.

2 And the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym passed on by hundreds, and by thousands, and Dau'yad and his men passed on in the rear with Akh'yash.

3 Then the princes of the Palash'tha'ym said, "What about these Abara'ym?" And Akh'yash said to the princes of the Palash'tha'ym, "Is this not Dau'yad, the servant of Sha'ul the king of Yashar'AL, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to this day?"

4 But the princes of the Palash'tha'ym were angry with him, and the princes of the Palash'tha'ym said to him, "Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his sovereign? Should it not be with the heads of these men?

5 Is not this Dau'yad, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, 'Sha'ul has slain his thousands, Dau'yad his ten thousands?'"

6 Then Akh'yash called Dau'yad, and said to him, "As 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) Abides, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight, for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, in the eyes of the sovereigns,  you are not good.

7 Therefore now return, and go in shalum (peace), that you not displease the sovereigns of the Palash'tha'ym."

8 And Dau'yad said to Akh'yash, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my sovereign the king?"

9 And Akh'yash answered Dau'yad, "I know that you are good in my sight, as a messenger of ALUAH. Notwithstanding the princes of the Palash'tha'ym have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.'

10 Therefore now rise up early in the rising with the servants of your sovereign who have come with you, and as soon as you are up early in the rising, and have light: Depart."

11 So Dau'yad rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the rising, to return into the land of the Palash'tha'ym. And the Palash'tha'ym went up to Yazara'AL.

 

CHAPTER 30

1 And it came to be, when Dau'yad and his men were come to Tsaqa'lag on the third day, that the Amalaq had made a raid on the South, and on Tsaqa'lag, and had struck Tsaqa'lag, and burned it with fire,

2 and had taken captive the women and all who were therein, both small and great. They did not kill any, but carried them off, and went their way.

3 When Dau'yad and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire: and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.

4 Then Dau'yad and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5 And Dau'yad's two wives were taken captive, Akh'ya'nam the Yazara'AL’yth, and Ab'yaga'yal the widow of Nabal the Karmal’ya.

6 And Dau'yad was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the being of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but Dau'yad strengthened himself in 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) His ALUAH.

7 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yathar the ka’ahn (priest), son of Akh'ya'malak, "Please bring me here the garment." And Ab'yathar brought the garment to Dau'yad.

8 And Dau'yad inquired of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH), saying, "If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and rescue, recover.”

9 So Dau'yad went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Bashur, where those who were left behind stayed.

10 But Dau'yad pursued, he and four hundred men, for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they could not go over the brook Bashur.

11 And they found a Matsara’ya in the field, and brought him to Dau'yad, and gave him bread, and he ate, and they gave him water to drink.

12 And gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his rukh came again to him, for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

13 And Dau'yad asked him, "To whom do you belong? Where are you from?" And he said, "I am a young man of Ma’tsara’ym, servant to an Amalaq’ya, and my sovereign left me, because three days ago I fell sick.

14 We invaded on the South of the Kharath’ya, and on that which belongs to Yahudah, and on the South of Kalab, and we burned Tsaqa'lag with fire."

15 And Dau'yad said to him, "Will you bring me down to this troop?" And he said, "Swear to me by ALUAH that you will neither kill me nor give me up into the hands of my sovereign, and I will bring you down to this troop."

16 And he brought him down and behold, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Palash'tha'ym, and out of the land of Yahudah.

17 And Dau'yad struck them from the twilight and until the evening of the next day. And not a man of them escaped from there, except four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled.

18 And Dau'yad recovered all that the Amalaq had taken, and Dau'yad rescued his two wives.

19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them. Dau'yad recovered all.

20 And Dau'yad took all the flocks and the herds, they drove before those livestock, and said, "This is Dau'yad's spoil."

21 And Dau'yad came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow Dau'yad, whom also they had made to stay at the brook Bashur, and they went forth to meet Dau'yad, and to meet the people who were with him. When Dau'yad came near to the people, he greeted them.

22 Then all the wicked and worthless men, of those who went with Dau'yad, answered and said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them anything of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart."

23 Then Dau'yad said, "You shall not do so, my brothers, with that which 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH) has given to us, who has preserved us, and given the troop that came against us into our hand.

24 Who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who tarries by the equipment: they shall share alike."

25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Yashar'AL to this day.

26 When Dau'yad came to Tsaqa'lag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Yahudah, even to his friends, saying, "Behold, a gift for you of the spoil of the enemies of 𐀉𐀄𐀅𐀄 (YAHUAH)."

27 He sent it to those who were in Bayath AL, and to those who were in Ram’uth (Ram’ooth)) of the South, and to those who were in Yathar,

28 and to those who were in Arar, and to those who were in Shapam’uth (Shapam’ooth), and to those who were in Ash’thama,

29 and to those who were in Rakal, and to those who were in the cities of the Ya'Rakham'AL'ya, and to those who were in the cities of the Qayan'ya,

30 and to those who were in Kharamah, and to those who were in Bur’Ashan, and to those who were in Athak,

31 and to those who were in Kha'brun (Kha’broon), and to all the places where Dau'yad had walked there, he and his men.

 

CHAPTER 31

1 Now the Palash'tha'ym fought against Yashar'AL: and the men of Yashar'AL fled from before the Palash'tha'ym, and fell down slain on Mount Gal'ba.

2 And the Palash'tha'ym followed hard on Sha'ul and on his sons, and the Palash'tha'ym smote Yahu'nathan, and Ab'ya'nadab, and Malak'ya Shua, sons of Sha'ul.

3 And the battle went hard against Sha'ul, and the archers overtook him, and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.

4 Then Sha'ul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me!" But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Sha'ul took his sword, and fell on it.

5 And when his armor bearer saw that Sha'ul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.

6 So Sha'ul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.

7 And when the men of Yashar'AL who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were beyond the Yardan, saw that the men of Yashar'AL fled, and that Sha'ul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled, and the Palash'tha'ym came and dwelled in them.

8 And it came to be on the next day, when the Palash'tha'ym came to strip the slain, that they found Sha'ul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gal'ba.

9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Palash'tha'ym all around, to carry the news to the house of their idols, and to the people.

10 And they put his armor in the house of the ash'tha'ruth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Bayath Shan.

11 And when the inhabitants of Yaba'yash Gal'ad heard concerning him that which the Palash'tha'ym had done to Sha'ul,

12 And all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Sha'ul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bayath Shan, and they came to Yabash'ah, and burnt them there.

13 And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Yabash'ah, and fasted seven days.