1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Samuel 17

1 Samuel 15

1 Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. So listen now to a message from him.

2 The LORD who rules over all says, 'I will punish the Amalekites because of what they did to Israel. As the people of Israel came up from Egypt, the Amalekites attacked them.

3 " 'Now go. Attack the Amalekites. Set everything apart that belongs to them. Set it apart to me in a special way to be destroyed. Do not spare the Amalekites. Put the men and women to death. Put the children and babies to death. Also kill the cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys.' "

4 So Saul brought his men together at Telaim. The total number was 200,000 soldiers on foot from Israel and 10,000 men from Judah.

5 He went to the city of Amalek. He had some of his men hide and wait in the valley.

6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, "You were kind to all of the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt. Get away from the Amalekites. Then I won't have to destroy you along with them." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Saul attacked the Amalekites. He struck them down all the way from Havilah to Shur. Shur was near the eastern border of Egypt.

8 He took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive. He and his men totally destroyed all of Agag's people with swords.

9 But Saul and the army spared Agag. They spared the best of the sheep and cattle. They spared the fat calves and lambs. They spared everything that was valuable. They weren't willing to completely destroy any of those things. But they totally destroyed everything that was worthless and weak.

10 Then the LORD gave Samuel a message. He said,

11 "I am very sorry I have made Saul king. He has turned away from me. He has not done what I directed him to do." When Samuel heard that, he was troubled. He cried out to the LORD during that whole night.

12 Early the next morning Samuel got up. He went to see Saul. But Samuel was told, "Saul went to Carmel. There he set up a monument in his own honor. Now he has gone on down to Gilgal."

13 When Samuel got there, Saul said, "May the LORD bless you. I've done what he directed me to do."

14 But Samuel said, "Then why do I hear the baaing of sheep? Why do I hear the mooing of cattle?"

15 Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites. They spared the best of the sheep and cattle. They did it to sacrifice them to the LORD your God. But we totally destroyed everything else."

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

17 Samuel said, "There was a time when you didn't think you were important. But you became the leader of the tribes of Israel. The LORD anointed you to be king over Israel.

18 He sent you to do something for him. He said, 'Go and set the Amalekites apart. Set those sinful people apart to me in a special way to be destroyed. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.'

19 "Why didn't you obey the Lord? Why did you grab what you had taken from your enemies? Why did you do what is evil in the sight of the Lord?"

20 "But I did obey the Lord," Saul said. "I went to do what he sent me to do. I totally destroyed the Amalekites. I brought back Agag, their king.

21 "The soldiers took sheep and cattle from what had been taken from our enemies. They took the best of what had been set apart to God. They wanted to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

22 But Samuel replied, "What pleases the LORD more? Burnt offerings and sacrifices, or obeying him? It is better to obey than to offer a sacrifice. It is better to do what he says than to offer the fat of rams.

23 Refusing to obey him is as sinful as using evil magic. Being proud is as evil as worshiping statues of gods. You have refused to do what the LORD told you to do. So he has refused to have you as king."

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I've broken the LORD's command. I haven't done what you directed me to do. I was afraid of the people. So I did what they said I should do.

25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin. Come back into town with me so I can worship the Lord."

26 But Samuel said to him, "I won't go back with you. You have refused to do what the LORD told you to do. So he has refused to have you as king over Israel!"

27 Samuel turned to leave. But Saul grabbed hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.

28 Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to someone who is better than you.

29 The One who is the Glory of Israel does not lie. He doesn't change his mind. That's because he isn't a mere man. If he were, he might change his mind."

30 Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me so I can worship the LORD your God."

31 So Samuel went back with Saul. And Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag, the king of the Amalekites." Agag wasn't afraid when he came to Samuel. He thought, "The time for me to be put to death must have passed by now."

33 But Samuel said, "Your sword has killed the children of other women. So the child of your mother will be killed." Samuel put Agag to death at Gilgal in the sight of the Lord.

34 Then Samuel left to go to Ramah. But Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

35 Until the day Samuel died, he didn't go to see Saul again. Samuel was filled with sorrow because of Saul. And the LORD was very sorry he had made Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel 16

1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you be filled with sorrow because of Saul? I have refused to have him as king over Israel. Fill your animal horn with olive oil and go on your way. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it. Then he'll kill me." The LORD said, "Take a young cow with you. Tell the elders of Bethlehem, 'I've come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.'

3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. Then I will show you what to do. You must anoint for me the one I point out to you."

4 Samuel did what the LORD said. He arrived at Bethlehem. The elders of the town met him. They were trembling with fear. They asked, "Have you come in peace?"

5 Samuel replied, "Yes, I've come in peace. I've come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Set yourselves apart to him and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he set Jesse and his sons apart to the Lord. He invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab. He thought, "This has to be the one the LORD wants me to anoint for him."

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. I do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart."

8 Then Jesse called for Abinadab. He had him walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen him either."

9 Then Jesse had Shammah walk by. But Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen him either."

10 Jesse had seven of his sons walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said to him, "The LORD hasn't chosen any of them."

11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these the only sons you have?" "No," Jesse answered. "My youngest son is taking care of the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him. We won't sit down to eat until he arrives."

12 So Jesse sent for his son and had him brought in. His skin was tanned. He had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Get up and anoint him. He is the one."

13 So Samuel got the animal horn that was filled with olive oil. He anointed David in front of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the LORD came on David with power. Samuel went back to Ramah.

14 The Spirit of the LORD had left Saul. And an evil spirit that was sent by the LORD terrified him.

15 Saul's attendants said to him, "An evil spirit that was sent by God is terrifying you.

16 Give us an order to look for someone who can play the harp. He will play it when the evil spirit that was sent by God comes on you. Then you will feel better."

17 So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays the harp well. Bring him to me."

18 One of the servants said, "I've seen someone who knows how to play the harp. He is a son of Jesse from Bethlehem. He's a brave man. He would make a good soldier. He's a good speaker. He's very handsome. And the LORD is with him."

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse. He said, "Send me your son David, the one who takes care of your sheep."

20 So Jesse got some bread and a bottle of wine. The bottle was made out of animal skin. He also got a young goat. He loaded everything on the back of a donkey. He sent all of it to Saul with his son David.

21 David went to Saul and began to serve him. Saul liked him very much. David became one of the men who carried Saul's armor.

22 Saul sent a message to Jesse. It said, "Let David stay here. I want him to serve me. I'm pleased with him."

23 When the evil spirit that was sent by God would come on Saul, David would get his harp and play it. That would help Saul. He would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

1 Samuel 17

1 The Philistines gathered their army together for war. They came to Socoh in Judah. They set up camp at Ephes Dammim. It was between Socoh and Azekah.

2 Saul and the army of Israel gathered together. They camped in the Valley of Elah. They lined up their men to fight against the Philistines.

3 The Philistine army was camped on one hill. Israel's army was on another. The valley was between them.

4 A mighty hero named Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. He was from Gath. He was more than nine feet tall.

5 He had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a coat of bronze armor. It weighed 125 pounds.

6 On his legs he wore bronze guards. He carried a bronze javelin on his back.

7 His spear was as big as a weaver's rod. Its iron point weighed 15 pounds. The man who carried his shield walked along in front of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the soldiers of Israel. He said, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? I'm a Philistine. You are servants of Saul. Choose one of your men. Have him come down and face me.

9 If he's able to fight and kill me, we'll become your slaves. But if I win and kill him, you will become our slaves and serve us."

10 Goliath continued, "This very day I dare the soldiers of Israel to send a man down to fight against me."

11 Saul and the whole army of Israel heard what the Philistine said. They were terrified.

12 David was the son of an Ephrathite. His name was Jesse. He was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. When Saul was king, Jesse was already very old.

13 Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul into battle. The oldest son was Eliab. The second was Abinadab. The third was Shammah.

14 David was the youngest. The three oldest sons followed Saul.

15 But David went back and forth from Saul's camp to Bethlehem. He went to Bethlehem to take care of his father's sheep.

16 Every morning and evening Goliath came forward and stood there. He did it for 40 days.

17 Jesse said to his son David, "Get at least half a bushel of grain that has been cooked. Also get ten loaves of bread. Take all of it to your brothers. Hurry to their camp.

18 Take along these ten chunks of cheese to the commander of their company. Find out how your brothers are doing. Bring me back some word about them.

19 They are with Saul and all of the men of Israel. They are in the Valley of Elah. They are fighting against the Philistines."

20 Early in the morning David left his father's flock in the care of a shepherd. David loaded up the food and started out, just as Jesse had directed. David reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions. The soldiers were shouting the war cry.

21 Israel and the Philistines were lining up their armies for battle. The armies were facing each other.

22 David left what he had brought with the man who took care of the supplies. He ran to the battle lines and greeted his brothers.

23 As David was talking with them, Goliath stepped forward from his line. Goliath was a mighty Philistine hero from Gath. He again dared someone to fight him, and David heard it.

24 When Israel's army saw Goliath, all of them ran away from him. That's because they were filled with fear.

25 The men of Israel had been saying, "Just look at how this man keeps stepping forward! Again and again he dares Israel to fight him. The king will make the man who kills him very wealthy. He will also give him his daughter to be his wife. He won't require anyone in his family to pay any taxes in Israel."

26 David spoke to the men who were standing near him. He asked them, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine? Goliath is bringing shame on Israel. What will be done for the one who removes it? This Philistine isn't even circumcised. He dares the armies of the living God to fight him. Who does he think he is?"

27 The men told David what Israel's soldiers had been saying. The men told him what would be done for the man who killed Goliath.

28 David's oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking with the men. So he burned with anger at him. He asked him, "Why have you come down here? Who did you leave those few sheep in the desert with? I know how proud you are. I know how evil your heart is. The only reason you came down here was to watch the battle."

29 "What have I done now?" said David. "Can't I even speak?"

30 Then he turned away to speak to some other men. He asked them the same question he had asked before. And they gave him the same answer.

31 Someone heard what David said and reported it to Saul. So Saul sent for him.

32 David said to Saul, "Don't let anyone lose hope because of that Philistine. I'll go out and fight him."

33 Saul replied, "You aren't able to go out there and fight that Philistine. You are too young. He's been a fighting man ever since he was a boy."

34 But David said to Saul, "I've been taking care of my father's sheep. Sometimes a lion or a bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock.

35 Then I would go after it and hit it. I would save the sheep it was carrying in its mouth. If it turned around to attack me, I would grab hold of its hair. I would strike it down and kill it.

36 In fact, I've killed both a lion and a bear. I'll do the same thing to this Philistine. He isn't even circumcised. He has dared the armies of the living God to fight him.

37 "The LORD saved me from the paw of the lion. He saved me from the paw of the bear. And he'll save me from the powerful hand of this Philistine too." Saul said to David, "Go. And may the LORD be with you."

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own military clothes. He put a coat of armor on him. He put a bronze helmet on his head.

39 David put on Saul's sword over his clothes. He walked around for a while in all of that armor because he wasn't used to it. "I can't go out there in all of this armor," he said to Saul. "I'm not used to it." So he took it off.

40 Then David picked up his wooden staff. He went down to a stream and chose five smooth stones. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag. Then he took his sling in his hand and approached Goliath.

41 At that same time, the Philistine kept coming closer to David. The man who was carrying Goliath's shield walked along in front of him.

42 Goliath looked David over. He saw how young he was. He also saw how tanned and handsome he was. And he hated him.

43 He said to David, "Why are you coming at me with sticks? Do you think I'm only a dog?" The Philistine called down curses on David in the name of his god.

44 "Come over here," he said. "I'll feed your body to the birds of the air! I'll feed it to the wild animals!"

45 David said to Goliath, "You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I'm coming against you in the name of the LORD who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He's the one you have dared to fight against.

46 "This very day the LORD will hand you over to me. I'll strike you down. I'll cut your head off. This very day I'll feed the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air. I'll feed them to the wild animals. Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel.

47 "The LORD doesn't save by using a sword or a spear. And everyone who is here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us."

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him.

49 He reached into his bag. He took out a stone. He put it in his sling. He slung it at Goliath. The stone hit him on the forehead and sank into it. He fell to the ground on his face.

50 So David won the fight against Goliath with a sling and a stone. He struck the Philistine down and killed him. He did it without even using a sword.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of Goliath's sword and pulled it out. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. The Philistines saw that their hero was dead. So they turned around and ran away.

52 Then the men of Israel and Judah shouted and rushed forward. They chased the Philistines to the entrance of Gath. They chased them to the gates of Ekron. The dead bodies of the Philistines were scattered all along the road to Gath and Ekron. That's the road that leads to Shaaraim.

53 Israel's army returned from chasing the Philistines. They had taken everything from the Philistine camp.

54 David picked up Goliath's head. He brought it to Jerusalem. He put Goliath's weapons in his own tent.

55 Saul had been watching David as he went out to meet the Philistine. He spoke to Abner, the commander of the army. He said to him, "Abner, whose son is that young man?" Abner replied, "King Saul, I don't know. And that's just as sure as you are alive."

56 The king said, "Find out whose son that young man is."

57 After David killed Goliath, he returned to the camp. Then Abner brought him to Saul. David was still carrying Goliath's head.

58 "Young man, whose son are you?" Saul asked him. David said, "I'm the son of Jesse from Bethlehem."