Saul Pursues David
1 Samuel 19
Saul orders David's death, but Jonathan intercedes and wins a brief reconciliation; when Saul again tries to spear David and then sends men to watch his house, Melchol helps David escape through a window, and when Saul pursues him to Samuel at Navath in Rama, the Spirit of God comes upon Saul's messengers and then upon Saul himself, so that he too prophesies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHEREFORE Saul spoke to his son Jonathan, and all his servants, to kill David. Now Jonathan, the son of Saul, loved David exceedingly;
BrentonAnd Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, to slay David.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Ἰωνάθαν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ πρὸς πὰντας τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ θανατῶσαι τὸν Δαυίδ.
KJVAnd Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
JPSAnd Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should slay David; but Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David.
2
Thomsontherefore Jonathan told David, and said, Saul seeketh to kill thee, therefore be on thy guard till to-morrow morning, and hide thyself, and keep close,
BrentonAnd Jonathan, Saul's son, loved David much: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul seeks to kill thee: take heed to thyself therefore to-morrow morning, and hide thyself, and dwell in secret.
GreekΚαὶ Ἰωνάθαν ὁ υἱὸς Σαοὺλ ἡρεῖτο τὸν Δαυὶδ σφόδρα· καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν Ἰωνάθαν τῷ Δαυὶδ, λέγων, Σαοὺλ ζητεῖ θανατῶσαί σε· φύλαξαι οὖν αὔριον πρωῒ, καὶ κρύβηθι καὶ κάθισον κρυδῇ·
KJVBut Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
JPSAnd Jonathan told David, saying: ‘Saul my father seeketh to slay thee; now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself in the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself.
3
Thomsonand I will go out, and stand near my father in the field where thou art, and speak to my father about thee, and see what may be the matter, and tell thee.
BrentonAnd I will go forth, and stand near my father in the field where thou shalt be, and I will speak concerning thee to my father; and I will see what his answer may be, and I will tell thee.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγὼ ἐξελεύσομαι καὶ στήσομαι ἐχόμενος τοῦ πατρός μου ἐν ἀγρῷ οὗ ἐὰν ᾖς ἐκεῖ· καὶ ἐγὼ λαλήσω περὶ σοῦ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ ὄψομαι ὅ, τι ἐὰν ᾖ, καὶ ἀπαγγελῶ σοι.
KJVAnd I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
JPSAnd I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will speak with my father of thee; and if I see aught, I will tell thee.’
4
ThomsonSo Jonathan spoke to his father in commendation of David, and said to him, Let not the king sin against thy servant David; for he hath not sinned against thee; and his services are very good.
BrentonAnd Jonathan spoke favourably concerning David to Saul his father, and said to him, Let not the king sin against thy servant David, for he has not sinned against thee, and his deeds are very good.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησεν Ἰωνάθαν περὶ Δαυὶδ ἀγαθὰ πρὸς Σαοὺλ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, μὴ ἁμαρτησάτω ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς τὸν δοῦλόν σου Δαυὶδ, ὅτι οὐχ ἡμάρτηκεν εἰς σὲ, καὶ τὰ ποιήματα αὐτοῦ ἀγαθὰ σφόδρα·
KJVAnd Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
JPSAnd Jonathan spoke good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him: ‘Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his work hath been very good towards thee;
5
ThomsonFor he hath put his life in his hands, and smitten the Philistines, and the Lord hath wrought a great deliverance, and all Israel have seen and rejoiced. Why then wilt thou sin against innocent blood by putting David to death without cause?
BrentonAnd he put his life in his hand, and smote the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great deliverance; and all Israel saw, and rejoiced: why then dost thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
GreekΚαὶ ἔθετο τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπάταξε τὸν ἀλλόφυλον, καὶ ἐποίησε Κύριος σωτηρίαν μεγάλην, καὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ εἶδον, καὶ ἐχάρησαν· καὶ ἱνατί ἁμαρτάνεις εἰς αἷμα ἀθῶον θανατῶσαι τὸν Δαυὶδ δωρεάν;
KJVFor he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
JPSfor he put his life in his hand, and smote the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great victory for all Israel; thou sawest it, and didst rejoice; wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?’
6
ThomsonAnd Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan, and swore, saying, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be put to death.
BrentonAnd Saul hearkened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, saying, As the Lord lives, he shall not die.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσε Σαοὺλ τῆς φωνῆς Ἰωνάθαν· καὶ ὤμοσε Σαοὺλ, λέγων, ζῇ Κύριος, εἰ ἀποθανεῖται.
KJVAnd Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
JPSAnd Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore: ‘As the LORD liveth, he shall not be put to death.’
7
ThomsonThereupon Jonathan called David, and told him all these words. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as heretofore.
BrentonAnd Jonathan called David, and told him all these words; and Jonathan brought David in to Saul, and he was before him as in former times.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ἰωνάθαν τὸν Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα· καὶ εἰσήγαγεν Ἰωνάθαν τὸν Δαυὶδ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἦν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτην ἡμέραν.
KJVAnd Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
JPSAnd Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as beforetime.
8
ThomsonAnd as the war continued against Saul, David took courage and fought against the Philistines, and smote them with a very great slaughter, and they fled before him.
BrentonAnd there was again war against Saul; and David did valiantly, and fought against the Philistines, and smote them with a very great slaughter, and they fled from before him.
GreekΚαὶ προσέθετο ὁ πόλεμος γενέσθαι πρὸς Σαοὺλ, καὶ κατίσχυσε Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐπολέμησε τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους, καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν αὐτοῖς πληγὴν μεγάλην σφόδρα, καὶ ἔφυγον ἐκ προσώπου αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
JPSAnd there was war again; and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled before him.
9
ThomsonBut the evil spirit from God came upon Saul when he was sitting in his house, with his spear in his hand, and while David’s hands were engaged in playing,
BrentonAnd an evil spirit from God was upon Saul, and he was resting in his house, and a spear was in his hand, and David was playing on the harp with his hands.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο πνεῦμα Θεοῦ πονηρὸν ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν οἴκῳ καθεύδων, καὶ δόρυ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ Δαυὶδ ἔψαλλε ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.
JPSAnd an evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing with his hand.
10
ThomsonSaul sought to strike the spear into David; but David darted from before him, and he struck the spear into the wall. As David had withdrawn, and escaped,
BrentonAnd Saul sought to smite David with the spear; and David withdrew suddenly from the presence of Saul; and he drove the spear into the wall; and David retreated and escaped.
GreekΚαὶ ἐζήτει Σαοὺλ πατάξαι τὸ δόρυ εἰς Δαυίδ· καὶ ἀπέστη Δαυὶδ ἐκ προσώπου Σαούλ· καὶ ἐπάταξε τὸ δόρυ εἰς τὸν τοῖχον· καὶ Δαυὶδ ἀνεχώρησε καὶ διεσώθη.
KJVAnd Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
JPSAnd Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall; and David fled, and escaped that night.
11
ThomsonSaul sent messengers that night to David’s house, to watch him, with an intent to put him to death in the morning. But Melchol, David’s wife, told him, and said, Unless thou save thy life this night, to-morrow thou wilt be put to death.
BrentonAnd it came to pass in that night, that Saul sent messengers to the house of David to watch him, in order to slay him in the morning; and Melchol David's wife told him, saying, Unless thou save thy life this night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἀπέστειλε Σαοὺλ ἀγγελους εἰς οἶκον Δαυὶδ φυλάξαι αὐτὸν, τοῦ θανατῶσαι αὐτὸν πρωΐ· καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ Δαυὶδ Μελχὸλ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ, λέγουσα, ἐὰν μὴ σὺ σώσῃς τὴν ψυχὴν σαυτοῦ τὴν νύκτα ταύτην, αὔριον θανατωθήσῃ.
KJVSaul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
JPSAnd Saul sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning; and Michal David’s wife told him, saying: ‘If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.’
12
ThomsonThen Melchol let David out through a window, and he departed, and fled, and escaped.
BrentonSo Melchol lets David down by the window, and he departed, and fled, and escaped.
GreekΚαὶ κατάγει ἡ Μελχὸλ τὸν Δαυὶδ διὰ τῆς θυρίδος, καὶ ἀπῆλθε καὶ ἔφυγε καὶ σώζεται.
KJVSo Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
JPSSo Michal let David down through the window; and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13
ThomsonAnd Melchol took the cenotaphs, and laid them on the bed, and placed a goat skin pillow for his head, and covered them with a mantle.
BrentonAnd Melchol took images, and laid them on the bed, and she put the liver of a goat by his head, and covered them with clothes.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν ἡ Μελχὸλ τὰ κενοτάφια, καὶ ἔθετο ἐπὶ τὴν κλίνην, καὶ ἧπαρ τῶν αἰγῶν ἔθετο πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκάλυψεν αὐτὰ ἱματίῳ.
KJVAnd Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
JPSAnd Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a quilt of goats’hair at the head thereof, and covered it with a cloth.
14
ThomsonSo when Saul sent messengers to take David, they said he was sick.
BrentonAnd Saul sent messengers to take David; and they say that he is sick.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Σαοὺλ ἀγγέλους λαβεῖν τὸν Δαυὶδ, καὶ λέγουσιν ἐνοχλεῖσθαι αὐτόν.
KJVAnd when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
JPSAnd when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said: ‘He is sick.’
15
ThomsonThen Saul sent them for David, saying, Bring him to me on the bed, that I may put him to death.
BrentonAnd he sends to David, saying, Bring him to me on the bed, that I may slay him.
GreekΚαὶ ἀποστέλλει ἐπὶ τὸν Δαυὶδ, λέγων, ἀγάγετε αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης πρὸς μὲ τοῦ θανατῶσαι αὐτόν.
KJVAnd Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
JPSAnd Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying: ‘Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.’
16
ThomsonAnd when the messengers came, behold! There were the cenotaphs on the bed, and a goat skin pillow for his head.
BrentonAnd the messengers come, and, behold, the images were on the bed, and the goat's liver at his head.
GreekΚαὶ ἔρχονται οἱ ἄγγελοι, καὶ ἰδοὺ τὰ κενοτάφια ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης, καὶ ἧπαρ τῶν αἰγῶν πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.
JPSAnd when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the quilt of goats’hair at the head thereof.
17
ThomsonWhereupon Saul said to Melchol, Why hast thou thus deceived me, and sent away my enemy, so that he hath escaped? And Melchol said to Saul, He said, Let me go, else I will put thee to death.
BrentonAnd Saul said to Melchol, Why hast thou thus deceived me, and suffered my enemy to depart, and he has escaped? and Melchol said to Saul, He said, Let me go, and if not, I will slay thee.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ τῇ Μελχὸλ, ἱνατί οὕτως παρελογίσω με, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλας τὸν ἐχθρόν μου, καὶ διεσώθη; καὶ εἶπε Μελχὸλ τῷ Σαοὺλ, αὐτὸς εἶπεν, ἐξαπόστειλόν με, εἰ δὲ μὴ, θανατώσω σε.
KJVAnd Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
JPSAnd Saul said unto Michal: ‘Why hast thou deceived me thus, and let mine enemy go, that he is escaped?’ And Michal answered Saul: ‘He said unto me: Let me go; why should I kill thee?’
18
ThomsonSo David fled, and escaped, and went to Samuel, to Armathaim, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And Samuel went with David, and they made their abode at Navath in Rama.
BrentonSo David fled, and escaped, and comes to Samuel to Armathaim, and tells him all that Saul had done to him: and Samuel and David went, and dwelt in Navath in Rama.
GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ ἔφυγε καὶ διεσώθη, καὶ παραγίνεται πρὸς Σαμουὴλ εἰς Ἀρμαθαὶμ, καὶ ἀπαγγέλλει αὐτῷ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ Σαούλ· καὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαμουὴλ καὶ Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐν Ναυὰθ ἐν Ῥαμᾶ.
KJVSo David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
JPSNow David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.
19
ThomsonAnd when it was told Saul, saying, Behold David is at Navath, in Rama,
BrentonAnd it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is in Navath in Rama.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαοὺλ, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ ἐν Ναυὰθ ἐν Ῥαμᾴ.
KJVAnd it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.
JPSAnd it was told Saul, saying: ‘Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah.’
20
ThomsonSaul sent messengers to take David. But when they saw the assembly of the prophets, with Samuel, standing at the head of them, a Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they prophesied.
BrentonAnd Saul sent messengers to take David, and they saw the assembly of the prophets, and Samuel stood as appointed over them; and the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they prophesy.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Σαοὺλ ἀγγέλους λαβεῖν τὸν Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶδον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τῶν προφητῶν, καὶ Σαμουὴλ εἱστήκει καθεστηκὼς ἐπʼ αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐπὶ τούς ἀγγέλους τοῦ Σαοὺλ πνεῦμα Θεοῦ, καὶ προφητεύουσι.
KJVAnd Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
JPSAnd Saul sent messengers to take David; and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
21
ThomsonWhen this was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And when Saul sent a third set of messengers, and they also prophesied,
BrentonAnd it was told Saul, and he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied: and Saul sent again a third set of messengers, and they also prophesied.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους ἑτέρους, καὶ ἐπροφήτευσαν καὶ αὐτοί· καὶ προσέθετο Σαοὺλ ἀποστεῖλαι ἀγγέλους τρίτους, καὶ ἐπροφήτευσαν καὶ αὐτοί.
KJVAnd when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.
JPSAnd when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied.
22
Thomsonhe was exceedingly enraged, and went himself to Armathaim. And when he came to the well of Alo, which is at Sephi, he inquired, and said, Where are Samuel and David? And they said, Behold at Navath, in Rama.
BrentonAnd Saul was very angry, and went himself also to Armathaim, and he comes as far as the well of the threshing-floor that is in Sephi; and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? and they said, Behold, in Navath in Rama.
GreekΚαὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ αὐτὸς εἰς Ἁρμαθαὶμ, καὶ ἔρχεται ἕως τοῦ φρέατος τοῦ ἅλω τοῦ ἐν τῷ Σεφί, καὶ ἠρώτησε καὶ εἶπε, ποῦ Σαμουὴλ καὶ Δαυίδ; καὶ εἶπαν, ἰδοὺ ἐν Ναυὰθ ἐν Ῥαμᾷ.
KJVThen went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
JPSThen went he also to Ramah, and came to the great cistern that is in Secu; and he asked and said: ‘Where are Samuel and David?’ And one said: ‘Behold, they are at Naioth in Ramah.’
23
ThomsonThereupon he went thence to Navath, in Rama, and a Spirit of God came upon him also, and he went on prophesying till he came to Navath, in Rama.
BrentonAnd he went thence to Navath in Rama: and there came the Spirit of God upon him also, and he went on prophesying till he came to Navath in Rama.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Ναυὰθ ἐν Ῥαμᾷ· καὶ ἐγενήθη καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ πνεῦμα Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐπορεύετο προφητεύων ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν αὐτὸν εἰς Ναυὰθ ἐν Ῥαμᾷ.
KJVAnd he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
JPSAnd he went thither to Naioth in Ramah; and the spirit of God came upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.
24
ThomsonAnd having stripped off his upper garments, he prophesied before them, and lay uncovered that whole day, and the whole night. For this cause they said, Is Saul also among the prophets?
BrentonAnd he took off his clothes, and prophesied before them; and lay down naked all that day and all that night: therefore they said, Is Saul also among the prophets?
GreekΚαὶ ἐξεδύσατο τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπροφήτευσεν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν· καὶ ἔπεσε γυμνὸς ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην καὶ ὅλην τὴν νύκτα· διὰ τοῦτο ἔλεγον, εἰ καὶ Σαοὺλ ἐν προφήταις;
KJVAnd he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?
JPSAnd he also stripped off his clothes, and he also prophesied before Samuel, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say: ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’