1Samuel 19

1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials ^{a19:1 Or servants} to kill David, but Saul’s son Jonathan was very fond of ^{b19:1 Lit. took great delight in} David.ISV — 1Samuel 19:1

2 So Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you. In the morning be careful and stay hidden in a secret place.ISV — 1Samuel 19:2

3 I’ll go out and stand by my father in the field where you are. I’ll speak to my father about you. If I find out what he intends to do, ^{c19:3 The Heb. lacks he intends to do} I’ll tell you.”ISV — 1Samuel 19:3

4 Jonathan spoke to his father Saul favorably about David. “The king shouldn’t wrong his servant David because he has not wronged you and because what he has done has been very beneficial for you.ISV — 1Samuel 19:4

5 He risked his life ^{d19:5 Lit. put his life in his hand} and struck down the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a spectacular deliverance for all Israel. You saw that and rejoiced, so why would you do wrong and shed innocent blood ^{e19:5 Lit. do wrong with innocent blood} by killing David without cause?”ISV — 1Samuel 19:5

6 Saul listened to Jonathan, and swore by the life of the LORD that David ^{f19:6 Lit. he} would not be killed.ISV — 1Samuel 19:6

7 Jonathan summoned David and told him all this. ^{g19:7 Lit. all these words} Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David ^{h19:7 Lit. he} served him ^{i19:7 Lit. was in his presence} as before.ISV — 1Samuel 19:7

8 The war continued and David went out to fight against the Philistines. He thoroughly defeated them, ^{j19:8 Lit. he struck them down with a great slaughter} and they fled before David. ^{k19:8 Lit. him}ISV — 1Samuel 19:8

9 The evil spirit from the LORD attacked Saul while he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand and David was playing the lyre.ISV — 1Samuel 19:9

10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he jumped away from Saul and the spear stuck in the wall. That night David escaped and fled.ISV — 1Samuel 19:10

11 Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him so they could kill him in the morning. David’s wife, Michal, told him, “If you don’t escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be put to death.”ISV — 1Samuel 19:11

12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he escaped and fled.ISV — 1Samuel 19:12

13 Then Michal took the household idol ^{l19:13 Heb. teraphim} and laid it on the bed with a cover of goat hair placed at its head. Then she covered it with clothes.ISV — 1Samuel 19:13

14 When Saul sent the messengers to take David, Michal said, “He’s sick.”ISV — 1Samuel 19:14

15 Then Saul sent messengers to check on ^{m19:15 Or to see} David. He told them, “Bring him to me on the bed so I may kill him.” ^{n19:15 Lit. in order to kill him}ISV — 1Samuel 19:15

16 The messengers went in, and there was the household idol in the bed with the cover of goat hair at its head!ISV — 1Samuel 19:16

17 Then Saul told Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this and let my enemy go so he could escape?” Michal told Saul, “He told me, ‘Let me go or I’ll kill you!’” ^{o19:17 Lit. why should I kill you?}ISV — 1Samuel 19:17

18 David escaped and fled. He came to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.ISV — 1Samuel 19:18

19 It was reported to Saul saying, “David is at Naioth in Ramah right now.”ISV — 1Samuel 19:19

20 Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw a group of prophets caught up in prophetic ecstasy, ^{p19:20 Or prophesying} with Samuel standing beside them leading them. Then the Spirit of God came on Saul’s messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy. ^{q19:20 Or prophesied} ISV — 1Samuel 19:20

21 They reported this to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also were caught up in prophetic ecstasy. ^{r19:21 Or prophesied} ISV — 1Samuel 19:21

22 Then Saul himself went to Ramah, and he arrived at the large well that is in Secu. He asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” Someone ^{s19:22 Lit. He} replied, “They’re at Naioth in Ramah.”ISV — 1Samuel 19:22

23 Saul went to Naioth in Ramah, and the Spirit of God came on him also. He continued in prophetic ecstasy ^{t19:23 Or he continued to prophesy} until he came to Naioth in Ramah.ISV — 1Samuel 19:23

24 He also removed his clothes and was caught up in prophetic ecstasy ^{u19:24 Or prophesied} right in front of Samuel! He fell down naked and remained there all that day and all night. That is why people say, ^{v19:24 Lit. Therefore, they say} “Is Saul also among the prophets?”ISV — 1Samuel 19:24