Lang: he; Title: ספר שמואל א; Content:

פרק א

(א) וַיְהִי אִישׁ אֶחָד מִן הָרָמָתַיִם צוֹפִים מֵהַר אֶפְרָיִם וּשְׁמוֹ אֶלְקָנָה בֶּן יְרֹחָם בֶּן אֱלִיהוּא בֶּן תֹּחוּ בֶן צוּף אֶפְרָתִי. (ב) וְלוֹ שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים שֵׁם אַחַת חַנָּה וְשֵׁם הַשֵּׁנִית פְּנִנָּה וַיְהִי לִפְנִנָּה יְלָדִים וּלְחַנָּה אֵין יְלָדִים. (ג) וְעָלָה הָאִישׁ הַהוּא מֵעִירוֹ מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺת וְלִזְבֹּחַ לַי״י צְבָאוֹת בְּשִׁלֹה וְשָׁם שְׁנֵי בְנֵי עֵלִי חׇפְנִי וּפִנְחָס כֹּהֲנִים לַי״י. (ד) וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם וַיִּזְבַּח אֶלְקָנָה וְנָתַן לִפְנִנָּה אִשְׁתּוֹ וּלְכׇל בָּנֶיהָ וּבְנוֹתֶיהָ מָנוֹת. (ה) וּלְחַנָּה יִתֵּן מָנָה אַחַת אַפָּיִם כִּי אֶת חַנָּה אָהֵב וַי״י סָגַר רַחְמָהּ. (ו) וְכִעֲסַתָּה צָרָתָהּ גַּם כַּעַס בַּעֲבוּר הַרְּעִמָהּ כִּי סָגַר י״י בְּעַד רַחְמָהּ. (ז) וְכֵן יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה מִדֵּי עֲלֹתָהּ בְּבֵית י״י כֵּן תַּכְעִסֶנָּה וַתִּבְכֶּה וְלֹא תֹאכַל. (ח) וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ אֶלְקָנָה אִישָׁהּ חַנָּה לָמֶה תִבְכִּי וְלָמֶה לֹא תֹאכְלִי וְלָמֶה יֵרַע לְבָבֵךְ הֲלוֹא אָנֹכִי טוֹב לָךְ מֵעֲשָׂרָה בָּנִים. (ט) וַתָּקׇם חַנָּה אַחֲרֵי אׇכְלָה בְשִׁלֹה וְאַחֲרֵי שָׁתֹה וְעֵלִי הַכֹּהֵן יֹשֵׁב עַל הַכִּסֵּא עַל מְזוּזַת הֵיכַל י״י. (י) וְהִיא מָרַת נָפֶשׁ וַתִּתְפַּלֵּל עַל י״י וּבָכֹה תִבְכֶּה. (יא) וַתִּדֹּר נֶדֶר וַתֹּאמַר י״י צְבָאוֹת אִם רָאֹה תִרְאֶה בׇּעֳנִי אֲמָתֶךָ וּזְכַרְתַּנִי וְלֹא תִשְׁכַּח אֶת אֲמָתֶךָ וְנָתַתָּה לַאֲמָתְךָ זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים וּנְתַתִּיו לַי״י כׇּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו וּמוֹרָה לֹא יַעֲלֶה עַל רֹאשׁוֹ. (יב) וְהָיָה כִּי הִרְבְּתָה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל לִפְנֵי י״י וְעֵלִי שֹׁמֵר אֶת פִּיהָ. (יג) וְחַנָּה הִיא מְדַבֶּרֶת עַל לִבָּהּ רַק שְׂפָתֶיהָ נָּעוֹת וְקוֹלָהּ לֹא יִשָּׁמֵעַ וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ עֵלִי לְשִׁכֹּרָה. (יד) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֶיהָ עֵלִי עַד מָתַי תִּשְׁתַּכָּרִין הָסִירִי אֶת יֵינֵךְ מֵעָלָיִךְ. (טו) וַתַּעַן חַנָּה וַתֹּאמֶר לֹא אֲדֹנִי אִשָּׁה קְשַׁת רוּחַ אָנֹכִי וְיַיִן וְשֵׁכָר לֹא שָׁתִיתִי וָאֶשְׁפֹּךְ אֶת נַפְשִׁי לִפְנֵי י״י. (טז) אַל תִּתֵּן אֶת אֲמָתְךָ לִפְנֵי בַּת בְּלִיָּעַל כִּי מֵרֹב שִׂיחִי וְכַעְסִי דִּבַּרְתִּי עַד הֵנָּה. (יז) וַיַּעַן עֵלִי וַיֹּאמֶר לְכִי לְשָׁלוֹם וֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל יִתֵּן אֶת שֵׁלָתֵךְ אֲשֶׁר שָׁאַלְתְּ מֵעִמּוֹ. (יח) וַתֹּאמֶר תִּמְצָא שִׁפְחָתְךָ חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ וַתֵּלֶךְ הָאִשָּׁה לְדַרְכָּהּ וַתֹּאכַל וּפָנֶיהָ לֹא הָיוּ לָהּ עוֹד. (יט) וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ בַבֹּקֶר וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לִפְנֵי י״י וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל בֵּיתָם הָרָמָתָה וַיֵּדַע אֶלְקָנָה אֶת חַנָּה אִשְׁתּוֹ וַיִּזְכְּרֶהָ י״י. (כ) וַיְהִי לִתְקֻפוֹת הַיָּמִים וַתַּהַר חַנָּה וַתֵּלֶד בֵּן וַתִּקְרָא אֶת שְׁמוֹ שְׁמוּאֵל כִּי מֵי״י שְׁאִלְתִּיו. (כא) וַיַּעַל הָאִישׁ אֶלְקָנָה וְכׇל בֵּיתוֹ לִזְבֹּחַ לַי״י אֶת זֶבַח הַיָּמִים וְאֶת נִדְרוֹ. (כב) וְחַנָּה לֹא עָלָתָה כִּי אָמְרָה לְאִישָׁהּ עַד יִגָּמֵל הַנַּעַר וַהֲבִאֹתִיו וְנִרְאָה אֶת פְּנֵי י״י וְיָשַׁב שָׁם עַד עוֹלָם. (כג) וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ אֶלְקָנָה אִישָׁהּ עֲשִׂי הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינַיִךְ שְׁבִי עַד גׇּמְלֵךְ אֹתוֹ אַךְ יָקֵם י״י אֶת דְּבָרוֹ וַתֵּשֶׁב הָאִשָּׁה וַתֵּינֶק אֶת בְּנָהּ עַד גׇּמְלָהּ אֹתוֹ. (כד) וַתַּעֲלֵהוּ עִמָּהּ כַּאֲשֶׁר גְּמָלַתּוּ בְּפָרִים שְׁלֹשָׁה וְאֵיפָה אַחַת קֶמַח וְנֵבֶל יַיִן וַתְּבִאֵהוּ בֵית י״י שִׁלוֹ וְהַנַּעַר נָעַר. (כה) וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ אֶת הַפָּר וַיָּבִאוּ אֶת הַנַּעַר אֶל עֵלִי. (כו) וַתֹּאמֶר בִּי אֲדֹנִי חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ אֲדֹנִי אֲנִי הָאִשָּׁה הַנִּצֶּבֶת עִמְּכָה בָּזֶה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל אֶל י״י. (כז) אֶל הַנַּעַר הַזֶּה הִתְפַּלָּלְתִּי וַיִּתֵּן י״י לִי אֶת שְׁאֵלָתִי אֲשֶׁר שָׁאַלְתִּי מֵעִמּוֹ. (כח) וְגַם אָנֹכִי הִשְׁאִלְתִּהוּ לַי״י כׇּל הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה הוּא שָׁאוּל לַי״י וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ שָׁם לַי״י.

פרק ב

(א) וַתִּתְפַּלֵּל חַנָּה וַתֹּאמַר עָלַץ לִבִּי בַּי״י רָמָה קַרְנִי בַּי״י רָחַב פִּי עַל אוֹיְבַי כִּי שָׂמַחְתִּי בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ. (ב) אֵין קָדוֹשׁ כַּי״י כִּי אֵין בִּלְתֶּךָ וְאֵין צוּר כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ. (ג) אַל תַּרְבּוּ תְדַבְּרוּ גְּבֹהָה גְבֹהָה יֵצֵא עָתָק מִפִּיכֶם כִּי אֵל דֵּעוֹת י״י [וְלוֹ] (ולא) נִתְכְּנוּ עֲלִלוֹת. (ד) קֶשֶׁת גִּבֹּרִים חַתִּים וְנִכְשָׁלִים אָזְרוּ חָיִל. (ה) שְׂבֵעִים בַּלֶּחֶם נִשְׂכָּרוּ וּרְעֵבִים חָדֵלּוּ עַד עֲקָרָה יָלְדָה שִׁבְעָה וְרַבַּת בָּנִים אֻמְלָלָה. (ו) י״י מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל וַיָּעַל. (ז) י״י מוֹרִישׁ וּמַעֲשִׁיר מַשְׁפִּיל אַף מְרוֹמֵם. (ח) מֵקִים מֵעָפָר דָּל מֵאַשְׁפֹּת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן לְהוֹשִׁיב עִם נְדִיבִים וְכִסֵּא כָבוֹד יַנְחִלֵם כִּי לַי״י מְצֻקֵי אֶרֶץ וַיָּשֶׁת עֲלֵיהֶם תֵּבֵל. (ט) רַגְלֵי חֲסִידָו יִשְׁמֹר וּרְשָׁעִים בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יִדָּמּוּ כִּי לֹא בְכֹחַ יִגְבַּר אִישׁ. (י) י״י יֵחַתּוּ מְרִיבָו עָלָו בַּשָּׁמַיִם יַרְעֵם י״י יָדִין אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ וְיִתֶּן עֹז לְמַלְכּוֹ וְיָרֵם קֶרֶן מְשִׁיחוֹ. (יא) וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶלְקָנָה הָרָמָתָה עַל בֵּיתוֹ וְהַנַּעַר הָיָה מְשָׁרֵת אֶת י״י אֶת פְּנֵי עֵלִי הַכֹּהֵן. (יב) וּבְנֵי עֵלִי בְּנֵי בְלִיָּעַל לֹא יָדְעוּ אֶת י״י. (יג) וּמִשְׁפַּט הַכֹּהֲנִים אֶת הָעָם כׇּל אִישׁ זֹבֵחַ זֶבַח וּבָא נַעַר הַכֹּהֵן כְּבַשֵּׁל הַבָּשָׂר וְהַמַּזְלֵג שְׁלֹשׁ הַשִּׁנַּיִם בְּיָדוֹ. (יד) וְהִכָּה בַכִּיּוֹר אוֹ בַדּוּד אוֹ בַקַּלַּחַת אוֹ בַפָּרוּר כֹּל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲלֶה הַמַּזְלֵג יִקַּח הַכֹּהֵן בּוֹ כָּכָה יַעֲשׂוּ לְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים שָׁם בְּשִׁלֹה. (טו) גַּם בְּטֶרֶם יַקְטִרוּן אֶת הַחֵלֶב וּבָא נַעַר הַכֹּהֵן וְאָמַר לָאִישׁ הַזֹּבֵחַ תְּנָה בָשָׂר לִצְלוֹת לַכֹּהֵן וְלֹא יִקַּח מִמְּךָ בָּשָׂר מְבֻשָּׁל כִּי אִם חָי. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הָאִישׁ קַטֵּר יַקְטִירוּן כַּיּוֹם הַחֵלֶב וְקַח לְךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר תְּאַוֶּה נַפְשֶׁךָ וְאָמַר [לֹא] (לו) כִּי עַתָּה תִתֵּן וְאִם לֹא לָקַחְתִּי בְחׇזְקָה. (יז) וַתְּהִי חַטַּאת הַנְּעָרִים גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד אֶת פְּנֵי י״י כִּי נִאֲצוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים אֵת מִנְחַת י״י. (יח) וּשְׁמוּאֵל מְשָׁרֵת אֶת פְּנֵי י״י נַעַר חָגוּר אֵפוֹד בָּד. (יט) וּמְעִיל קָטֹן תַּעֲשֶׂה לּוֹ אִמּוֹ וְהַעַלְתָה לוֹ מִיָּמִים יָמִימָה בַּעֲלוֹתָהּ אֶת אִישָׁהּ לִזְבֹּחַ אֶת זֶבַח הַיָּמִים. (כ) וּבֵרַךְ עֵלִי אֶת אֶלְקָנָה וְאֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאָמַר יָשֵׂם י״י לְךָ זֶרַע מִן הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת תַּחַת הַשְּׁאֵלָה אֲשֶׁר שָׁאַל לַי״י וְהָלְכוּ לִמְקוֹמוֹ. (כא) כִּי פָקַד י״י אֶת חַנָּה וַתַּהַר וַתֵּלֶד שְׁלֹשָׁה בָנִים וּשְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת וַיִּגְדַּל הַנַּעַר שְׁמוּאֵל עִם י״י. (כב) וְעֵלִי זָקֵן מְאֹד וְשָׁמַע אֵת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשׂוּן בָּנָיו לְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכְּבוּן אֶת הַנָּשִׁים הַצֹּבְאוֹת פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. (כג) וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לָמָּה תַעֲשׂוּן כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ אֶת דִּבְרֵיכֶם רָעִים מֵאֵת כׇּל הָעָם אֵלֶּה. (כד) אַל בָּנָי כִּי לוֹא טוֹבָה הַשְּׁמֻעָה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ מַעֲבִרִים עַם י״י. (כה) אִם יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ לְאִישׁ וּפִלְלוֹ אֱלֹהִים וְאִם לַי״י יֶחֱטָא אִישׁ מִי יִתְפַּלֶּל לוֹ וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּ לְקוֹל אֲבִיהֶם כִּי חָפֵץ י״י לַהֲמִיתָם. (כו) וְהַנַּעַר שְׁמוּאֵל הֹלֵךְ וְגָדֵל וָטוֹב גַּם עִם י״י וְגַם עִם אֲנָשִׁים. (כז) וַיָּבֹא אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים אֶל עֵלִי וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו כֹּה אָמַר י״י הֲנִגְלֹה נִגְלֵיתִי אֶל בֵּית אָבִיךָ בִּהְיוֹתָם בְּמִצְרַיִם לְבֵית פַּרְעֹה. (כח) וּבָחֹר אֹתוֹ מִכׇּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לִי לְכֹהֵן לַעֲלוֹת עַל מִזְבְּחִי לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת לָשֵׂאת אֵפוֹד לְפָנָי וָאֶתְּנָה לְבֵית אָבִיךָ אֶת כׇּל אִשֵּׁי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. (כט) לָמָּה תִבְעֲטוּ בְּזִבְחִי וּבְמִנְחָתִי אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִי מָעוֹן וַתְּכַבֵּד אֶת בָּנֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי לְהַבְרִיאֲכֶם מֵרֵאשִׁית כׇּל מִנְחַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְעַמִּי. (ל) לָכֵן נְאֻם י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָמוֹר אָמַרְתִּי בֵּיתְךָ וּבֵית אָבִיךָ יִתְהַלְּכוּ לְפָנַי עַד עוֹלָם וְעַתָּה נְאֻם י״י חָלִילָה לִּי כִּי מְכַבְּדַי אֲכַבֵּד וּבֹזַי יֵקָלּוּ. (לא) הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים וְגָדַעְתִּי אֶת זְרֹעֲךָ וְאֶת זְרֹעַ בֵּית אָבִיךָ מִהְיוֹת זָקֵן בְּבֵיתֶךָ. (לב) וְהִבַּטְתָּ צַר מָעוֹן בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יֵיטִיב אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא יִהְיֶה זָקֵן בְּבֵיתְךָ כׇּל הַיָּמִים. (לג) וְאִישׁ לֹא אַכְרִית לְךָ מֵעִם מִזְבְּחִי לְכַלּוֹת אֶת עֵינֶיךָ וְלַאֲדִיב אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ וְכׇל מַרְבִּית בֵּיתְךָ יָמוּתוּ אֲנָשִׁים. (לד) וְזֶה לְּךָ הָאוֹת אֲשֶׁר יָבֹא אֶל שְׁנֵי בָנֶיךָ אֶל חׇפְנִי וּפִינְחָס בְּיוֹם אֶחָד יָמוּתוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם. (לה) וַהֲקִימֹתִי לִי כֹּהֵן נֶאֱמָן כַּאֲשֶׁר בִּלְבָבִי וּבְנַפְשִׁי יַעֲשֶׂה וּבָנִיתִי לוֹ בַּיִת נֶאֱמָן וְהִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי מְשִׁיחִי כׇּל הַיָּמִים. (לו) וְהָיָה כׇּל הַנּוֹתָר בְּבֵיתְךָ יָבוֹא לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺת לוֹ לַאֲגוֹרַת כֶּסֶף וְכִכַּר לָחֶם וְאָמַר סְפָחֵנִי נָא אֶל אַחַת הַכְּהֻנּוֹת לֶאֱכֹל פַּת לָחֶם.

פרק ג

(א) וְהַנַּעַר שְׁמוּאֵל מְשָׁרֵת אֶת י״י לִפְנֵי עֵלִי וּדְבַר י״י הָיָה יָקָר בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם אֵין חָזוֹן נִפְרָץ. (ב) וַיְהִי בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וְעֵלִי שֹׁכֵב בִּמְקוֹמוֹ וְעֵינָו הֵחֵלּוּ כֵהוֹת לֹא יוּכַל לִרְאוֹת. (ג) וְנֵר אֱלֹהִים טֶרֶם יִכְבֶּה וּשְׁמוּאֵל שֹׁכֵב בְּהֵיכַל י״י אֲשֶׁר שָׁם אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהִים. (ד) וַיִּקְרָא י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּנִי. (ה) וַיָּרׇץ אֶל עֵלִי וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְנִי כִּי קָרָאתָ לִּי וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא קָרָאתִי שׁוּב שְׁכָב וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּשְׁכָּב. (ו) וַיֹּסֶף י״י קְרֹא עוֹד שְׁמוּאֵל וַיָּקׇם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל עֵלִי וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְנִי כִּי קָרָאתָ לִי וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא קָרָאתִי בְנִי שׁוּב שְׁכָב. (ז) וּשְׁמוּאֵל טֶרֶם יָדַע אֶת י״י וְטֶרֶם יִגָּלֶה אֵלָיו דְּבַר י״י. (ח) וַיֹּסֶף י״י קְרֹא שְׁמוּאֵל בַּשְּׁלִישִׁת וַיָּקׇם וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל עֵלִי וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְנִי כִּי קָרָאתָ לִי וַיָּבֶן עֵלִי כִּי י״י קֹרֵא לַנָּעַר. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר עֵלִי לִשְׁמוּאֵל לֵךְ שְׁכָב וְהָיָה אִם יִקְרָא אֵלֶיךָ וְאָמַרְתָּ דַּבֵּר י״י כִּי שֹׁמֵעַ עַבְדֶּךָ וַיֵּלֶךְ שְׁמוּאֵל וַיִּשְׁכַּב בִּמְקוֹמוֹ. (י) וַיָּבֹא י״י וַיִּתְיַצַּב וַיִּקְרָא כְפַעַם בְּפַעַם שְׁמוּאֵל שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל דַּבֵּר כִּי שֹׁמֵעַ עַבְדֶּךָ. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי עֹשֶׂה דָבָר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר כׇּל שֹׁמְעוֹ תְּצִלֶּינָה שְׁתֵּי אׇזְנָיו. (יב) בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָקִים אֶל עֵלִי אֵת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי אֶל בֵּיתוֹ הָחֵל וְכַלֵּה. (יג) וְהִגַּדְתִּי לוֹ כִּי שֹׁפֵט אֲנִי אֶת בֵּיתוֹ עַד עוֹלָם בַּעֲוֺן אֲשֶׁר יָדַע כִּי מְקַלְלִים לָהֶם בָּנָיו וְלֹא כִהָה בָּם. (יד) וְלָכֵן נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי לְבֵית עֵלִי אִם יִתְכַּפֵּר עֲוֺן בֵּית עֵלִי בְּזֶבַח וּבְמִנְחָה עַד עוֹלָם. (טו) וַיִּשְׁכַּב שְׁמוּאֵל עַד הַבֹּקֶר וַיִּפְתַּח אֶת דַּלְתוֹת בֵּית י״י וּשְׁמוּאֵל יָרֵא מֵהַגִּיד אֶת הַמַּרְאָה אֶל עֵלִי. (טז) וַיִּקְרָא עֵלִי אֶת שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל בְּנִי וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּנִי. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר מָה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלֶיךָ אַל נָא תְכַחֵד מִמֶּנִּי כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה לְּךָ אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֹסִיף אִם תְּכַחֵד מִמֶּנִּי דָּבָר מִכׇּל הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלֶיךָ. (יח) וַיַּגֶּד לוֹ שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים וְלֹא כִחֵד מִמֶּנּוּ וַיֹּאמַר י״י הוּא הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינָו יַעֲשֶׂה. (יט) וַיִּגְדַּל שְׁמוּאֵל וַי״י הָיָה עִמּוֹ וְלֹא הִפִּיל מִכׇּל דְּבָרָיו אָרְצָה. (כ) וַיֵּדַע כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִדָּן וְעַד בְּאֵר שָׁבַע כִּי נֶאֱמָן שְׁמוּאֵל לְנָבִיא לַי״י. (כא) וַיֹּסֶף י״י לְהֵרָאֹה בְשִׁלֹה כִּי נִגְלָה י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל בְּשִׁלוֹ בִּדְבַר י״י.

פרק ד

(א) וַיְהִי דְבַר שְׁמוּאֵל לְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֵּצֵא יִשְׂרָאֵל לִקְרַאת פְּלִשְׁתִּים לַמִּלְחָמָה וַיַּחֲנוּ עַל הָאֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר וּפְלִשְׁתִּים חָנוּ בַאֲפֵק. (ב) וַיַּעַרְכוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לִקְרַאת יִשְׂרָאֵל וַתִּטֹּשׁ הַמִּלְחָמָה וַיִּנָּגֶף יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּכּוּ בַמַּעֲרָכָה בַּשָּׂדֶה כְּאַרְבַּעַת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ. (ג) וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיֹּאמְרוּ זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָמָּה נְגָפָנוּ י״י הַיּוֹם לִפְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים נִקְחָה אֵלֵינוּ מִשִּׁלֹה אֶת אֲרוֹן בְּרִית י״י וְיָבֹא בְקִרְבֵּנוּ וְיֹשִׁעֵנוּ מִכַּף אֹיְבֵינוּ. (ד) וַיִּשְׁלַח הָעָם שִׁלֹה וַיִּשְׂאוּ מִשָּׁם אֵת אֲרוֹן בְּרִית י״י צְבָאוֹת יֹשֵׁב הַכְּרֻבִים וְשָׁם שְׁנֵי בְנֵי עֵלִי עִם אֲרוֹן בְּרִית הָאֱלֹהִים חׇפְנִי וּפִינְחָס. (ה) וַיְהִי כְּבוֹא אֲרוֹן בְּרִית י״י אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיָּרִעוּ כׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל תְּרוּעָה גְדוֹלָה וַתֵּהֹם הָאָרֶץ. (ו) וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת קוֹל הַתְּרוּעָה וַיֹּאמְרוּ מֶה קוֹל הַתְּרוּעָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת בְּמַחֲנֵה הָעִבְרִים וַיֵּדְעוּ כִּי אֲרוֹן י״י בָּא אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה. (ז) וַיִּרְאוּ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים כִּי אָמְרוּ בָּא אֱלֹהִים אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיֹּאמְרוּ אוֹי לָנוּ כִּי לֹא הָיְתָה כָּזֹאת אֶתְמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם. (ח) אוֹי לָנוּ מִי יַצִּילֵנוּ מִיַּד הָאֱלֹהִים הָאַדִּירִים הָאֵלֶּה אֵלֶּה הֵם הָאֱלֹהִים הַמַּכִּים אֶת מִצְרַיִם בְּכׇל מַכָּה בַּמִּדְבָּר. (ט) הִתְחַזְּקוּ וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים פְּלִשְׁתִּים פֶּן תַּעַבְדוּ לָעִבְרִים כַּאֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ לָכֶם וִהְיִיתֶם לַאֲנָשִׁים וְנִלְחַמְתֶּם. (י) וַיִּלָּחֲמוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּנָּגֶף יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיָּנֻסוּ אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו וַתְּהִי הַמַּכָּה גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד וַיִּפֹּל מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל שְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף רַגְלִי. (יא) וַאֲרוֹן אֱלֹהִים נִלְקָח וּשְׁנֵי בְנֵי עֵלִי מֵתוּ חׇפְנִי וּפִינְחָס. (יב) וַיָּרׇץ אִישׁ בִּנְיָמִן מֵהַמַּעֲרָכָה וַיָּבֹא שִׁלֹה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וּמַדָּיו קְרֻעִים וַאֲדָמָה עַל רֹאשׁוֹ. (יג) וַיָּבוֹא וְהִנֵּה עֵלִי יֹשֵׁב עַל הַכִּסֵּא [יַד] (יך) דֶּרֶךְ מְצַפֶּה כִּי הָיָה לִבּוֹ חָרֵד עַל אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וְהָאִישׁ בָּא לְהַגִּיד בָּעִיר וַתִּזְעַק כׇּל הָעִיר. (יד) וַיִּשְׁמַע עֵלִי אֶת קוֹל הַצְּעָקָה וַיֹּאמֶר מֶה קוֹל הֶהָמוֹן הַזֶּה וְהָאִישׁ מִהַר וַיָּבֹא וַיַּגֵּד לְעֵלִי. (טו) וְעֵלִי בֶּן תִּשְׁעִים וּשְׁמֹנֶה שָׁנָה וְעֵינָיו קָמָה וְלֹא יָכוֹל לִרְאוֹת. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר הָאִישׁ אֶל עֵלִי אָנֹכִי הַבָּא מִן הַמַּעֲרָכָה וַאֲנִי מִן הַמַּעֲרָכָה נַסְתִּי הַיּוֹם וַיֹּאמֶר מֶה הָיָה הַדָּבָר בְּנִי. (יז) וַיַּעַן הַמְבַשֵּׂר וַיֹּאמֶר נָס יִשְׂרָאֵל לִפְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וְגַם מַגֵּפָה גְדוֹלָה הָיְתָה בָעָם וְגַם שְׁנֵי בָנֶיךָ מֵתוּ חׇפְנִי וּפִינְחָס וַאֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים נִלְקָחָה. (יח) וַיְהִי כְּהַזְכִּירוֹ אֶת אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וַיִּפֹּל מֵעַל הַכִּסֵּא אֲחֹרַנִּית בְּעַד יַד הַשַּׁעַר וַתִּשָּׁבֵר מַפְרַקְתּוֹ וַיָּמֹת כִּי זָקֵן הָאִישׁ וְכָבֵד וְהוּא שָׁפַט אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה. (יט) וְכַלָּתוֹ אֵשֶׁת פִּינְחָס הָרָה לָלַת וַתִּשְׁמַע אֶת הַשְּׁמוּעָה אֶל הִלָּקַח אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וּמֵת חָמִיהָ וְאִישָׁהּ וַתִּכְרַע וַתֵּלֶד כִּי נֶהֶפְכוּ עָלֶיהָ צִרֶיהָ. (כ) וּכְעֵת מוּתָהּ וַתְּדַבֵּרְנָה הַנִּצָּבוֹת עָלֶיהָ אַל תִּירְאִי כִּי בֵן יָלָדְתְּ וְלֹא עָנְתָה וְלֹא שָׁתָה לִבָּהּ. (כא) וַתִּקְרָא לַנַּעַר אִיכָבוֹד לֵאמֹר גָּלָה כָבוֹד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל אֶל הִלָּקַח אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וְאֶל חָמִיהָ וְאִישָׁהּ. (כב) וַתֹּאמֶר גָּלָה כָבוֹד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל כִּי נִלְקַח אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים.

פרק ה

(א) וּפְלִשְׁתִּים לָקְחוּ אֵת אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וַיְבִאֻהוּ מֵאֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר אַשְׁדּוֹדָה. (ב) וַיִּקְחוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים וַיָּבִאוּ אֹתוֹ בֵּית דָּגוֹן וַיַּצִּיגוּ אֹתוֹ אֵצֶל דָּגוֹן. (ג) וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ אַשְׁדּוֹדִים מִמׇּחֳרָת וְהִנֵּה דָגוֹן נֹפֵל לְפָנָיו אַרְצָה לִפְנֵי אֲרוֹן י״י וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת דָּגוֹן וַיָּשִׁבוּ אֹתוֹ לִמְקוֹמוֹ. (ד) וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ בַבֹּקֶר מִמׇּחֳרָת וְהִנֵּה דָגוֹן נֹפֵל לְפָנָיו אַרְצָה לִפְנֵי אֲרוֹן י״י וְרֹאשׁ דָּגוֹן וּשְׁתֵּי כַּפּוֹת יָדָיו כְּרֻתוֹת אֶל הַמִּפְתָּן רַק דָּגוֹן נִשְׁאַר עָלָיו. (ה) עַל כֵּן לֹא יִדְרְכוּ כֹהֲנֵי דָגוֹן וְכׇל הַבָּאִים בֵּית דָּגוֹן עַל מִפְתַּן דָּגוֹן בְּאַשְׁדּוֹד עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (ו) וַתִּכְבַּד יַד י״י אֶל הָאַשְׁדּוֹדִים וַיְשִׁמֵּם וַיַּךְ אֹתָם [בַּטְּחֹרִים] (בעפלים) אֶת אַשְׁדּוֹד וְאֶת גְּבוּלֶיהָ. (ז) וַיִּרְאוּ אַנְשֵׁי אַשְׁדּוֹד כִּי כֵן וְאָמְרוּ לֹא יֵשֵׁב אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עִמָּנוּ כִּי קָשְׁתָה יָדוֹ עָלֵינוּ וְעַל דָּגוֹן אֱלֹהֵינוּ. (ח) וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ וַיַּאַסְפוּ אֶת כׇּל סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים אֲלֵיהֶם וַיֹּאמְרוּ מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה לַאֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמְרוּ גַּת יִסֹּב אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּסֵּבּוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. (ט) וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי הֵסַבּוּ אֹתוֹ וַתְּהִי יַד י״י בָּעִיר מְהוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד וַיַּךְ אֶת אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר מִקָּטֹן וְעַד גָּדוֹל וַיִּשָּׂתְרוּ לָהֶם [טְחֹרִים] (עפלים). (י) וַיְשַׁלְּחוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים עֶקְרוֹן וַיְהִי כְּבוֹא אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים עֶקְרוֹן וַיִּזְעֲקוּ הָעֶקְרֹנִים לֵאמֹר הֵסַבּוּ אֵלַי אֶת אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לַהֲמִיתֵנִי וְאֶת עַמִּי. (יא) וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ וַיַּאַסְפוּ אֶת כׇּל סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיֹּאמְרוּ שַׁלְּחוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְיָשֹׁב לִמְקוֹמוֹ וְלֹא יָמִית אֹתִי וְאֶת עַמִּי כִּי הָיְתָה מְהוּמַת מָוֶת בְּכׇל הָעִיר כָּבְדָה מְאֹד יַד הָאֱלֹהִים שָׁם. (יב) וְהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לֹא מֵתוּ הֻכּוּ [בַּטְּחֹרִים] (בעפלים) וַתַּעַל שַׁוְעַת הָעִיר הַשָּׁמָיִם.

פרק ו

(א) וַיְהִי אֲרוֹן י״י בִּשְׂדֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים שִׁבְעָה חֳדָשִׁים. (ב) וַיִּקְרְאוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לַכֹּהֲנִים וְלַקֹּסְמִים לֵאמֹר מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה לַאֲרוֹן י״י הוֹדִעֻנוּ בַּמֶּה נְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּ לִמְקוֹמוֹ. (ג) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אִם מְשַׁלְּחִים אֶת אֲרוֹן אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אַל תְּשַׁלְּחוּ אֹתוֹ רֵיקָם כִּי הָשֵׁב תָּשִׁיבוּ לוֹ אָשָׁם אָז תֵּרָפְאוּ וְנוֹדַע לָכֶם לָמָּה לֹא תָסוּר יָדוֹ מִכֶּם. (ד) וַיֹּאמְרוּ מָה הָאָשָׁם אֲשֶׁר נָשִׁיב לוֹ וַיֹּאמְרוּ מִסְפַּר סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים חֲמִשָּׁה [טְחֹרֵי] (עפלי) זָהָב וַחֲמִשָּׁה עַכְבְּרֵי זָהָב כִּי מַגֵּפָה אַחַת לְכֻלָּם וּלְסַרְנֵיכֶם. (ה) וַעֲשִׂיתֶם צַלְמֵי [טְחֹרֵיכֶם] (עפליכם) וְצַלְמֵי עַכְבְּרֵיכֶם הַמַּשְׁחִיתִם אֶת הָאָרֶץ וּנְתַתֶּם לֵאלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כָּבוֹד אוּלַי יָקֵל אֶת יָדוֹ מֵעֲלֵיכֶם וּמֵעַל אֱלֹהֵיכֶם וּמֵעַל אַרְצְכֶם. (ו) וְלָמָּה תְכַבְּדוּ אֶת לְבַבְכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר כִּבְּדוּ מִצְרַיִם וּפַרְעֹה אֶת לִבָּם הֲלוֹא כַּאֲשֶׁר הִתְעַלֵּל בָּהֶם וַיְשַׁלְּחוּם וַיֵּלֵכוּ. (ז) וְעַתָּה קְחוּ וַעֲשׂוּ עֲגָלָה חֲדָשָׁה אֶחָת וּשְׁתֵּי פָרוֹת עָלוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא עָלָה עֲלֵיהֶם עֹל וַאֲסַרְתֶּם אֶת הַפָּרוֹת בָּעֲגָלָה וַהֲשֵׁיבֹתֶם בְּנֵיהֶם מֵאַחֲרֵיהֶם הַבָּיְתָה. (ח) וּלְקַחְתֶּם אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י וּנְתַתֶּם אֹתוֹ אֶל הָעֲגָלָה וְאֵת כְּלֵי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר הֲשֵׁבֹתֶם לוֹ אָשָׁם תָּשִׂימוּ בָאַרְגַּז מִצִּדּוֹ וְשִׁלַּחְתֶּם אֹתוֹ וְהָלָךְ. (ט) וּרְאִיתֶם אִם דֶּרֶךְ גְּבוּלוֹ יַעֲלֶה בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ הוּא עָשָׂה לָנוּ אֶת הָרָעָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת וְאִם לֹא וְיָדַעְנוּ כִּי לֹא יָדוֹ נָגְעָה בָּנוּ מִקְרֶה הוּא הָיָה לָנוּ. (י) וַיַּעֲשׂוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כֵּן וַיִּקְחוּ שְׁתֵּי פָרוֹת עָלוֹת וַיַּאַסְרוּם בָּעֲגָלָה וְאֶת בְּנֵיהֶם כָּלוּ בַבָּיִת. (יא) וַיָּשִׂמוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י אֶל הָעֲגָלָה וְאֵת הָאַרְגַּז וְאֵת עַכְבְּרֵי הַזָּהָב וְאֵת צַלְמֵי טְחֹרֵיהֶם. (יב) וַיִּשַּׁרְנָה הַפָּרוֹת בַּדֶּרֶךְ עַל דֶּרֶךְ בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ בִּמְסִלָּה אַחַת הָלְכוּ הָלֹךְ וְגָעוֹ וְלֹא סָרוּ יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול וְסַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים הֹלְכִים אַחֲרֵיהֶם עַד גְּבוּל בֵּית שָׁמֶשׁ. (יג) וּבֵית שֶׁמֶשׁ קֹצְרִים קְצִיר חִטִּים בָּעֵמֶק וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֶת עֵינֵיהֶם וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת הָאָרוֹן וַיִּשְׂמְחוּ לִרְאוֹת. (יד) וְהָעֲגָלָה בָּאָה אֶל שְׂדֵה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֵּית הַשִּׁמְשִׁי וַתַּעֲמֹד שָׁם וְשָׁם אֶבֶן גְּדוֹלָה וַיְבַקְּעוּ אֶת עֲצֵי הָעֲגָלָה וְאֶת הַפָּרוֹת הֶעֱלוּ עֹלָה לַי״י. (טו) וְהַלְוִיִּם הוֹרִידוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י וְאֶת הָאַרְגַּז אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ כְלֵי זָהָב וַיָּשִׂמוּ אֶל הָאֶבֶן הַגְּדוֹלָה וְאַנְשֵׁי בֵית שֶׁמֶשׁ הֶעֱלוּ עֹלוֹת וַיִּזְבְּחוּ זְבָחִים בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לַי״י. (טז) וַחֲמִשָּׁה סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים רָאוּ וַיָּשֻׁבוּ עֶקְרוֹן בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא. (יז) וְאֵלֶּה טְחֹרֵי הַזָּהָב אֲשֶׁר הֵשִׁיבוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אָשָׁם לַי״י לְאַשְׁדּוֹד אֶחָד לְעַזָּה אֶחָד לְאַשְׁקְלוֹן אֶחָד לְגַת אֶחָד לְעֶקְרוֹן אֶחָד. (יח) וְעַכְבְּרֵי הַזָּהָב מִסְפַּר כׇּל עָרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים לַחֲמֵשֶׁת הַסְּרָנִים מֵעִיר מִבְצָר וְעַד כֹּפֶר הַפְּרָזִי וְעַד אָבֵל הַגְּדוֹלָה אֲשֶׁר הִנִּיחוּ עָלֶיהָ אֵת אֲרוֹן י״י עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בִּשְׂדֵה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֵּית הַשִּׁמְשִׁי. (יט) וַיַּךְ בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵית שֶׁמֶשׁ כִּי רָאוּ בַּאֲרוֹן י״י וַיַּךְ בָּעָם שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ חֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף אִישׁ וַיִּתְאַבְּלוּ הָעָם כִּי הִכָּה י״י בָּעָם מַכָּה גְדוֹלָה. (כ) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי בֵית שֶׁמֶשׁ מִי יוּכַל לַעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי י״י הָאֱלֹהִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַזֶּה וְאֶל מִי יַעֲלֶה מֵעָלֵינוּ. (כא) וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ מַלְאָכִים אֶל יוֹשְׁבֵי קִרְיַת יְעָרִים לֵאמֹר הֵשִׁבוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י רְדוּ הַעֲלוּ אֹתוֹ אֲלֵיכֶם.

פרק ז

(א) וַיָּבֹאוּ אַנְשֵׁי קִרְיַת יְעָרִים וַיַּעֲלוּ אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י וַיָּבִאוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל בֵּית אֲבִינָדָב בַּגִּבְעָה וְאֶת אֶלְעָזָר בְּנוֹ קִדְּשׁוּ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת אֲרוֹן י״י. (ב) וַיְהִי מִיּוֹם שֶׁבֶת הָאָרוֹן בְּקִרְיַת יְעָרִים וַיִּרְבּוּ הַיָּמִים וַיִּהְיוּ עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וַיִּנָּהוּ כׇּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי י״י. (ג) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל כׇּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר אִם בְּכׇל לְבַבְכֶם אַתֶּם שָׁבִים אֶל י״י הָסִירוּ אֶת אֱלֹהֵי הַנֵּכָר מִתּוֹכְכֶם וְהָעַשְׁתָּרוֹת וְהָכִינוּ לְבַבְכֶם אֶל י״י וְעִבְדֻהוּ לְבַדּוֹ וְיַצֵּל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (ד) וַיָּסִירוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת הַבְּעָלִים וְאֶת הָעַשְׁתָּרֹת וַיַּעַבְדוּ אֶת י״י לְבַדּוֹ. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל קִבְצוּ אֶת כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמִּצְפָּתָה וְאֶתְפַּלֵּל בַּעַדְכֶם אֶל י״י. (ו) וַיִּקָּבְצוּ הַמִּצְפָּתָה וַיִּשְׁאֲבוּ מַיִם וַיִּשְׁפְּכוּ לִפְנֵי י״י וַיָּצוּמוּ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיֹּאמְרוּ שָׁם חָטָאנוּ לַי״י וַיִּשְׁפֹּט שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּמִּצְפָּה. (ז) וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים כִּי הִתְקַבְּצוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמִּצְפָּתָה וַיַּעֲלוּ סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּרְאוּ מִפְּנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים. (ח) וַיֹּאמְרוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל אַל תַּחֲרֵשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ מִזְּעֹק אֶל י״י אֱלֹהֵינוּ וְיֹשִׁעֵנוּ מִיַּד פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (ט) וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל טְלֵה חָלָב אֶחָד [וַיַּעֲלֵהוּ] (ויעלה) עוֹלָה כָּלִיל לַי״י וַיִּזְעַק שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל י״י בְּעַד יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲנֵהוּ י״י. (י) וַיְהִי שְׁמוּאֵל מַעֲלֶה הָעוֹלָה וּפְלִשְׁתִּים נִגְּשׁוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּרְעֵם י״י בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא עַל פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיְהֻמֵּם וַיִּנָּגְפוּ לִפְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. (יא) וַיֵּצְאוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הַמִּצְפָּה וַיִּרְדְּפוּ אֶת פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּכּוּם עַד מִתַּחַת לְבֵית כָּר. (יב) וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶבֶן אַחַת וַיָּשֶׂם בֵּין הַמִּצְפָּה וּבֵין הַשֵּׁן וַיִּקְרָא אֶת שְׁמָהּ אֶבֶן הָעָזֶר וַיֹּאמַר עַד הֵנָּה עֲזָרָנוּ י״י. (יג) וַיִּכָּנְעוּ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים וְלֹא יָסְפוּ עוֹד לָבוֹא בִּגְבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַתְּהִי יַד י״י בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים כֹּל יְמֵי שְׁמוּאֵל. (יד) וַתָּשֹׁבְנָה הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר לָקְחוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים מֵאֵת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעֶקְרוֹן וְעַד גַּת וְאֶת גְּבוּלָן הִצִּיל יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיְהִי שָׁלוֹם בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבֵין הָאֱמֹרִי. (טו) וַיִּשְׁפֹּט שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל כֹּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו. (טז) וְהָלַךְ מִדֵּי שָׁנָה בְּשָׁנָה וְסָבַב בֵּית אֵל וְהַגִּלְגָּל וְהַמִּצְפָּה וְשָׁפַט אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵת כׇּל הַמְּקוֹמוֹת הָאֵלֶּה. (יז) וּתְשֻׁבָתוֹ הָרָמָתָה כִּי שָׁם בֵּיתוֹ וְשָׁם שָׁפָט אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּבֶן שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַי״י.

פרק ח

(א) וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר זָקֵן שְׁמוּאֵל וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת בָּנָיו שֹׁפְטִים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. (ב) וַיְהִי שֶׁם בְּנוֹ הַבְּכוֹר יוֹאֵל וְשֵׁם מִשְׁנֵהוּ אֲבִיָּה שֹׁפְטִים בִּבְאֵר שָׁבַע. (ג) וְלֹא הָלְכוּ בָנָיו בִּדְרָכָו וַיִּטּוּ אַחֲרֵי הַבָּצַע וַיִּקְחוּ שֹׁחַד וַיַּטּוּ מִשְׁפָּט. (ד) וַיִּתְקַבְּצוּ כֹּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל הָרָמָתָה. (ה) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו הִנֵּה אַתָּה זָקַנְתָּ וּבָנֶיךָ לֹא הָלְכוּ בִּדְרָכֶיךָ עַתָּה שִׂימָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ כְּכׇל הַגּוֹיִם. (ו) וַיֵּרַע הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי שְׁמוּאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמְרוּ תְּנָה לָּנוּ מֶלֶךְ לְשׇׁפְטֵנוּ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל י״י. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל שְׁמַע בְּקוֹל הָעָם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יֹאמְרוּ אֵלֶיךָ כִּי לֹא אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי מָאֲסוּ מִמְּלֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם. (ח) כְּכׇל הַמַּעֲשִׂים אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ מִיּוֹם הַעֲלֹתִי אוֹתָם מִמִּצְרַיִם וְעַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וַיַּעַזְבֻנִי וַיַּעַבְדוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים כֵּן הֵמָּה עֹשִׂים גַּם לָךְ. (ט) וְעַתָּה שְׁמַע בְּקוֹלָם אַךְ כִּי הָעֵד תָּעִיד בָּהֶם וְהִגַּדְתָּ לָהֶם מִשְׁפַּט הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר יִמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיהֶם. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֵת כׇּל דִּבְרֵי י״י אֶל הָעָם הַשֹּׁאֲלִים מֵאִתּוֹ מֶלֶךְ. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר זֶה יִהְיֶה מִשְׁפַּט הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר יִמְלֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם אֶת בְּנֵיכֶם יִקָּח וְשָׂם לוֹ בְּמֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ וּבְפָרָשָׁיו וְרָצוּ לִפְנֵי מֶרְכַּבְתּוֹ. (יב) וְלָשׂוּם לוֹ שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי חֲמִשִּׁים וְלַחֲרֹשׁ חֲרִישׁוֹ וְלִקְצֹר קְצִירוֹ וְלַעֲשׂוֹת כְּלֵי מִלְחַמְתּוֹ וּכְלֵי רִכְבּוֹ. (יג) וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֵיכֶם יִקָּח לְרַקָּחוֹת וּלְטַבָּחוֹת וּלְאֹפוֹת. (יד) וְאֶת שְׂדוֹתֵיכֶם וְאֶת כַּרְמֵיכֶם וְזֵיתֵיכֶם הַטּוֹבִים יִקָּח וְנָתַן לַעֲבָדָיו. (טו) וְזַרְעֵיכֶם וְכַרְמֵיכֶם יַעְשֹׂר וְנָתַן לְסָרִיסָיו וְלַעֲבָדָיו. (טז) וְאֶת עַבְדֵיכֶם וְאֶת שִׁפְחוֹתֵיכֶם וְאֶת בַּחוּרֵיכֶם הַטּוֹבִים וְאֶת חֲמוֹרֵיכֶם יִקָּח וְעָשָׂה לִמְלַאכְתּוֹ. (יז) צֹאנְכֶם יַעְשֹׂר וְאַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ לוֹ לַעֲבָדִים. (יח) וּזְעַקְתֶּם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא מִלִּפְנֵי מַלְכְּכֶם אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתֶּם לָכֶם וְלֹא יַעֲנֶה י״י אֶתְכֶם בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא. (יט) וַיְמָאֲנוּ הָעָם לִשְׁמֹעַ בְּקוֹל שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹּא כִּי אִם מֶלֶךְ יִהְיֶה עָלֵינוּ. (כ) וְהָיִינוּ גַם אֲנַחְנוּ כְּכׇל הַגּוֹיִם וּשְׁפָטָנוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ וְיָצָא לְפָנֵינוּ וְנִלְחַם אֶת מִלְחֲמֹתֵנוּ. (כא) וַיִּשְׁמַע שְׁמוּאֵל אֵת כׇּל דִּבְרֵי הָעָם וַיְדַבְּרֵם בְּאׇזְנֵי י״י. (כב) וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל שְׁמַע בְּקוֹלָם וְהִמְלַכְתָּ לָהֶם מֶלֶךְ וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכוּ אִישׁ לְעִירוֹ.

פרק ט

(א) וַיְהִי אִישׁ [מִבִּנְיָמִין] (מבן ימין) וּשְׁמוֹ קִישׁ בֶּן אֲבִיאֵל בֶּן צְרוֹר בֶּן בְּכוֹרַת בֶּן אֲפִיחַ בֶּן אִישׁ יְמִינִי גִּבּוֹר חָיִל. (ב) וְלוֹ הָיָה בֵן וּשְׁמוֹ שָׁאוּל בָּחוּר וָטוֹב וְאֵין אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל טוֹב מִמֶּנּוּ מִשִּׁכְמוֹ וָמַעְלָה גָּבֹהַּ מִכׇּל הָעָם. (ג) וַתֹּאבַדְנָה הָאֲתֹנוֹת לְקִישׁ אֲבִי שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר קִישׁ אֶל שָׁאוּל בְּנוֹ קַח נָא אִתְּךָ אֶת אַחַד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וְקוּם לֵךְ בַּקֵּשׁ אֶת הָאֲתֹנֹת. (ד) וַיַּעֲבֹר בְּהַר אֶפְרַיִם וַיַּעֲבֹר בְּאֶרֶץ שָׁלִשָׁה וְלֹא מָצָאוּ וַיַּעַבְרוּ בְאֶרֶץ שַׁעֲלִים וָאַיִן וַיַּעֲבֹר בְּאֶרֶץ יְמִינִי וְלֹא מָצָאוּ. (ה) הֵמָּה בָּאוּ בְּאֶרֶץ צוּף וְשָׁאוּל אָמַר לְנַעֲרוֹ אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ לְכָה וְנָשׁוּבָה פֶּן יֶחְדַּל אָבִי מִן הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְדָאַג לָנוּ. (ו) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הִנֵּה נָא אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת וְהָאִישׁ נִכְבָּד כֹּל אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר בּוֹא יָבוֹא עַתָּה נֵלְכָה שָּׁם אוּלַי יַגִּיד לָנוּ אֶת דַּרְכֵּנוּ אֲשֶׁר הָלַכְנוּ עָלֶיהָ. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לְנַעֲרוֹ וְהִנֵּה נֵלֵךְ וּמַה נָּבִיא לָאִישׁ כִּי הַלֶּחֶם אָזַל מִכֵּלֵינוּ וּתְשׁוּרָה אֵין לְהָבִיא לְאִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים מָה אִתָּנוּ. (ח) וַיֹּסֶף הַנַּעַר לַעֲנוֹת אֶת שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה נִמְצָא בְיָדִי רֶבַע שֶׁקֶל כָּסֶף וְנָתַתִּי לְאִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים וְהִגִּיד לָנוּ אֶת דַּרְכֵּנוּ. (ט) לְפָנִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כֹּה אָמַר הָאִישׁ בְּלֶכְתּוֹ לִדְרוֹשׁ אֱלֹהִים לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה עַד הָרֹאֶה כִּי לַנָּבִיא הַיּוֹם יִקָּרֵא לְפָנִים הָרֹאֶה. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לְנַעֲרוֹ טוֹב דְּבָרְךָ לְכָה נֵלֵכָה וַיֵּלְכוּ אֶל הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר שָׁם אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים. (יא) הֵמָּה עֹלִים בְּמַעֲלֵה הָעִיר וְהֵמָּה מָצְאוּ נְעָרוֹת יֹצְאוֹת לִשְׁאֹב מָיִם וַיֹּאמְרוּ לָהֶן הֲיֵשׁ בָּזֶה הָרֹאֶה. (יב) וַתַּעֲנֶינָה אוֹתָם וַתֹּאמַרְנָה יֵּשׁ הִנֵּה לְפָנֶיךָ מַהֵר עַתָּה כִּי הַיּוֹם בָּא לָעִיר כִּי זֶבַח הַיּוֹם לָעָם בַּבָּמָה. (יג) כְּבֹאֲכֶם הָעִיר כֵּן תִּמְצְאוּן אֹתוֹ בְּטֶרֶם יַעֲלֶה הַבָּמָתָה לֶאֱכֹל כִּי לֹא יֹאכַל הָעָם עַד בֹּאוֹ כִּי הוּא יְבָרֵךְ הַזֶּבַח אַחֲרֵי כֵן יֹאכְלוּ הַקְּרֻאִים וְעַתָּה עֲלוּ כִּי אֹתוֹ כְהַיּוֹם תִּמְצְאוּן אֹתוֹ. (יד) וַיַּעֲלוּ הָעִיר הֵמָּה בָּאִים בְּתוֹךְ הָעִיר וְהִנֵּה שְׁמוּאֵל יֹצֵא לִקְרָאתָם לַעֲלוֹת הַבָּמָה. (טו) וַי״י גָּלָה אֶת אֹזֶן שְׁמוּאֵל יוֹם אֶחָד לִפְנֵי בוֹא שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר. (טז) כָּעֵת מָחָר אֶשְׁלַח אֵלֶיךָ אִישׁ מֵאֶרֶץ בִּנְיָמִן וּמְשַׁחְתּוֹ לְנָגִיד עַל עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת עַמִּי מִיַּד פְּלִשְׁתִּים כִּי רָאִיתִי אֶת עַמִּי כִּי בָּאָה צַעֲקָתוֹ אֵלָי. (יז) וּשְׁמוּאֵל רָאָה אֶת שָׁאוּל וַי״י עָנָהוּ הִנֵּה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ זֶה יַעְצֹר בְּעַמִּי. (יח) וַיִּגַּשׁ שָׁאוּל אֶת שְׁמוּאֵל בְּתוֹךְ הַשָּׁעַר וַיֹּאמֶר הַגִּידָה נָּא לִי אֵי זֶה בֵּית הָרֹאֶה. (יט) וַיַּעַן שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר אָנֹכִי הָרֹאֶה עֲלֵה לְפָנַי הַבָּמָה וַאֲכַלְתֶּם עִמִּי הַיּוֹם וְשִׁלַּחְתִּיךָ בַבֹּקֶר וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר בִּלְבָבְךָ אַגִּיד לָךְ. (כ) וְלָאֲתֹנוֹת הָאֹבְדוֹת לְךָ הַיּוֹם שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַיָּמִים אַל תָּשֶׂם אֶת לִבְּךָ לָהֶם כִּי נִמְצָאוּ וּלְמִי כׇּל חֶמְדַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל הֲלוֹא לְךָ וּלְכֹל בֵּית אָבִיךָ. (כא) וַיַּעַן שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא בֶן יְמִינִי אָנֹכִי מִקְּטַנֵּי שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִשְׁפַּחְתִּי הַצְּעִרָה מִכׇּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת שִׁבְטֵי בִנְיָמִן וְלָמָּה דִּבַּרְתָּ אֵלַי כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה. (כב) וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת שָׁאוּל וְאֶת נַעֲרוֹ וַיְבִיאֵם לִשְׁכָּתָה וַיִּתֵּן לָהֶם מָקוֹם בְּרֹאשׁ הַקְּרוּאִים וְהֵמָּה כִּשְׁלֹשִׁם אִישׁ. (כג) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל לַטַּבָּח תְּנָה אֶת הַמָּנָה אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָךְ אֲשֶׁר אָמַרְתִּי אֵלֶיךָ שִׂים אֹתָהּ עִמָּךְ. (כד) וַיָּרֶם הַטַּבָּח אֶת הַשּׁוֹק וְהֶעָלֶיהָ וַיָּשֶׂם לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה הַנִּשְׁאָר שִׂים לְפָנֶיךָ אֱכֹל כִּי לַמּוֹעֵד שָׁמוּר לְךָ לֵאמֹר הָעָם קָרָאתִי וַיֹּאכַל שָׁאוּל עִם שְׁמוּאֵל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא. (כה) וַיֵּרְדוּ מֵהַבָּמָה הָעִיר וַיְדַבֵּר עִם שָׁאוּל עַל הַגָּג. (כו) וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ וַיְהִי כַּעֲלוֹת הַשַּׁחַר וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל [הַגָּגָה] (הגג) לֵאמֹר קוּמָה וַאֲשַׁלְּחֶךָּ וַיָּקׇם שָׁאוּל וַיֵּצְאוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם הוּא וּשְׁמוּאֵל הַחוּצָה. (כז) הֵמָּה יוֹרְדִים בִּקְצֵה הָעִיר וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר אֶל שָׁאוּל אֱמֹר לַנַּעַר וְיַעֲבֹר לְפָנֵינוּ וַיַּעֲבֹר וְאַתָּה עֲמֹד כַּיּוֹם וְאַשְׁמִיעֲךָ אֶת דְּבַר אֱלֹהִים.

פרק י

(א) וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת פַּךְ הַשֶּׁמֶן וַיִּצֹק עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וַיִּשָּׁקֵהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא כִּי מְשָׁחֲךָ י״י עַל נַחֲלָתוֹ לְנָגִיד. (ב) בְּלֶכְתְּךָ הַיּוֹם מֵעִמָּדִי וּמָצָאתָ שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים עִם קְבֻרַת רָחֵל בִּגְבוּל בִּנְיָמִן בְּצֶלְצַח וְאָמְרוּ אֵלֶיךָ נִמְצְאוּ הָאֲתֹנוֹת אֲשֶׁר הָלַכְתָּ לְבַקֵּשׁ וְהִנֵּה נָטַשׁ אָבִיךָ אֶת דִּבְרֵי הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְדָאַג לָכֶם לֵאמֹר מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לִבְנִי. (ג) וְחָלַפְתָּ מִשָּׁם וָהָלְאָה וּבָאתָ עַד אֵלוֹן תָּבוֹר וּמְצָאוּךָ שָּׁם שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים עֹלִים אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים בֵּית אֵל אֶחָד נֹשֵׂא שְׁלֹשָׁה גְדָיִים וְאֶחָד נֹשֵׂא שְׁלֹשֶׁת כִּכְּרוֹת לֶחֶם וְאֶחָד נֹשֵׂא נֵבֶל יָיִן. (ד) וְשָׁאֲלוּ לְךָ לְשָׁלוֹם וְנָתְנוּ לְךָ שְׁתֵּי לֶחֶם וְלָקַחְתָּ מִיָּדָם. (ה) אַחַר כֵּן תָּבוֹא גִּבְעַת הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר שָׁם נְצִבֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וִיהִי כְבֹאֲךָ שָׁם הָעִיר וּפָגַעְתָּ חֶבֶל נְבִאִים יֹרְדִים מֵהַבָּמָה וְלִפְנֵיהֶם נֵבֶל וְתֹף וְחָלִיל וְכִנּוֹר וְהֵמָּה מִתְנַבְּאִים. (ו) וְצָלְחָה עָלֶיךָ רוּחַ י״י וְהִתְנַבִּיתָ עִמָּם וְנֶהְפַּכְתָּ לְאִישׁ אַחֵר. (ז) וְהָיָה כִּי [תָבֹאנָה] (תבאינה) הָאֹתוֹת הָאֵלֶּה לָךְ עֲשֵׂה לְךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָדֶךָ כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים עִמָּךְ. (ח) וְיָרַדְתָּ לְפָנַי הַגִּלְגָּל וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יֹרֵד אֵלֶיךָ לְהַעֲלוֹת עֹלוֹת לִזְבֹּחַ זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תּוֹחֵל עַד בּוֹאִי אֵלֶיךָ וְהוֹדַעְתִּי לְךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה. (ט) וְהָיָה כְּהַפְנֹתוֹ שִׁכְמוֹ לָלֶכֶת מֵעִם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּהֲפׇךְ לוֹ אֱלֹהִים לֵב אַחֵר וַיָּבֹאוּ כׇּל הָאֹתוֹת הָאֵלֶּה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא. (י) וַיָּבֹאוּ שָׁם הַגִּבְעָתָה וְהִנֵּה חֶבֶל נְבִאִים לִקְרָאתוֹ וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים וַיִּתְנַבֵּא בְּתוֹכָם. (יא) וַיְהִי כׇּל יוֹדְעוֹ מֵאִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם וַיִּרְאוּ וְהִנֵּה עִם נְבִאִים נִבָּא וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ מַה זֶּה הָיָה לְבֶן קִישׁ הֲגַם שָׁאוּל בַּנְּבִיאִים. (יב) וַיַּעַן אִישׁ מִשָּׁם וַיֹּאמֶר וּמִי אֲבִיהֶם עַל כֵּן הָיְתָה לְמָשָׁל הֲגַם שָׁאוּל בַּנְּבִאִים. (יג) וַיְכַל מֵהִתְנַבּוֹת וַיָּבֹא הַבָּמָה. (יד) וַיֹּאמֶר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל אֵלָיו וְאֶל נַעֲרוֹ אָן הֲלַכְתֶּם וַיֹּאמֶר לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת הָאֲתֹנוֹת וַנִּרְאֶה כִי אַיִן וַנָּבוֹא אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל הַגִּידָה נָּא לִי מָה אָמַר לָכֶם שְׁמוּאֵל. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דּוֹדוֹ הַגֵּד הִגִּיד לָנוּ כִּי נִמְצְאוּ הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְאֶת דְּבַר הַמְּלוּכָה לֹא הִגִּיד לוֹ אֲשֶׁר אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל. (יז) וַיַּצְעֵק שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת הָעָם אֶל י״י הַמִּצְפָּה. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כֹּה אָמַר י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָנֹכִי הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָיִם וָאַצִּיל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּמִיַּד כׇּל הַמַּמְלָכוֹת הַלֹּחֲצִים אֶתְכֶם. (יט) וְאַתֶּם הַיּוֹם מְאַסְתֶּם אֶת אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר הוּא מוֹשִׁיעַ לָכֶם מִכׇּל רָעוֹתֵיכֶם וְצָרֹתֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ כִּי מֶלֶךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ וְעַתָּה הִתְיַצְּבוּ לִפְנֵי י״י לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶם וּלְאַלְפֵיכֶם. (כ) וַיַּקְרֵב שְׁמוּאֵל אֵת כׇּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּלָּכֵד שֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִן. (כא) וַיַּקְרֵב אֶת שֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָו וַתִּלָּכֵד מִשְׁפַּחַת הַמַּטְרִי וַיִּלָּכֵד שָׁאוּל בֶּן קִישׁ וַיְבַקְשֻׁהוּ וְלֹא נִמְצָא. (כב) וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ עוֹד בַּי״י הֲבָא עוֹד הֲלֹם אִישׁ וַיֹּאמֶר י״י הִנֵּה הוּא נֶחְבָּא אֶל הַכֵּלִים. (כג) וַיָּרֻצוּ וַיִּקָּחֻהוּ מִשָּׁם וַיִּתְיַצֵּב בְּתוֹךְ הָעָם וַיִּגְבַּהּ מִכׇּל הָעָם מִשִּׁכְמוֹ וָמָעְלָה. (כד) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל כׇּל הָעָם הַרְּאִיתֶם אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בּוֹ י״י כִּי אֵין כָּמֹהוּ בְּכׇל הָעָם וַיָּרִעוּ כׇל הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ. (כה) וַיְדַבֵּר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל הָעָם אֵת מִשְׁפַּט הַמְּלֻכָה וַיִּכְתֹּב בַּסֵּפֶר וַיַּנַּח לִפְנֵי י״י וַיְשַׁלַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת כׇּל הָעָם אִישׁ לְבֵיתוֹ. (כו) וְגַם שָׁאוּל הָלַךְ לְבֵיתוֹ גִּבְעָתָה וַיֵּלְכוּ עִמּוֹ הַחַיִל אֲשֶׁר נָגַע אֱלֹהִים בְּלִבָּם. (כז) וּבְנֵי בְלִיַּעַל אָמְרוּ מַה יֹּשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה וַיִּבְזֻהוּ וְלֹא הֵבִיאוּ לוֹ מִנְחָה וַיְהִי כְּמַחֲרִישׁ.

פרק יא

(א) וַיַּעַל נָחָשׁ הָעַמּוֹנִי וַיִּחַן עַל יָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד וַיֹּאמְרוּ כׇּל אַנְשֵׁי יָבֵישׁ אֶל נָחָשׁ כְּרׇת לָנוּ בְרִית וְנַעַבְדֶךָּ. (ב) וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם נָחָשׁ הָעַמּוֹנִי בְּזֹאת אֶכְרֹת לָכֶם בִּנְקוֹר לָכֶם כׇּל עֵין יָמִין וְשַׂמְתִּיהָ חֶרְפָּה עַל כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל. (ג) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו זִקְנֵי יָבֵישׁ הֶרֶף לָנוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְנִשְׁלְחָה מַלְאָכִים בְּכֹל גְּבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִם אֵין מוֹשִׁיעַ אֹתָנוּ וְיָצָאנוּ אֵלֶיךָ. (ד) וַיָּבֹאוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים גִּבְעַת שָׁאוּל וַיְדַבְּרוּ הַדְּבָרִים בְּאׇזְנֵי הָעָם וַיִּשְׂאוּ כׇל הָעָם אֶת קוֹלָם וַיִּבְכּוּ. (ה) וְהִנֵּה שָׁאוּל בָּא אַחֲרֵי הַבָּקָר מִן הַשָּׂדֶה וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל מַה לָּעָם כִּי יִבְכּוּ וַיְסַפְּרוּ לוֹ אֶת דִּבְרֵי אַנְשֵׁי יָבֵישׁ. (ו) וַתִּצְלַח רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים עַל שָׁאוּל [כְּשׇׁמְעוֹ] (בשמעו) אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ מְאֹד. (ז) וַיִּקַּח צֶמֶד בָּקָר וַיְנַתְּחֵהוּ וַיְשַׁלַּח בְּכׇל גְּבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּיַד הַמַּלְאָכִים לֵאמֹר אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ יֹצֵא אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל וְאַחַר שְׁמוּאֵל כֹּה יֵעָשֶׂה לִבְקָרוֹ וַיִּפֹּל פַּחַד י״י עַל הָעָם וַיֵּצְאוּ כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד. (ח) וַיִּפְקְדֵם בְּבָזֶק וַיִּהְיוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף וְאִישׁ יְהוּדָה שְׁלֹשִׁים אָלֶף. (ט) וַיֹּאמְרוּ לַמַּלְאָכִים הַבָּאִים כֹּה תֹאמְרוּן לְאִישׁ יָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד מָחָר תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם תְּשׁוּעָה [כְּחֹם] (בחם) הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וַיָּבֹאוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים וַיַּגִּידוּ לְאַנְשֵׁי יָבֵישׁ וַיִּשְׂמָחוּ. (י) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי יָבֵישׁ מָחָר נֵצֵא אֲלֵיכֶם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם לָנוּ כְּכׇל הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֵיכֶם. (יא) וַיְהִי מִמׇּחֳרָת וַיָּשֶׂם שָׁאוּל אֶת הָעָם שְׁלֹשָׁה רָאשִׁים וַיָּבֹאוּ בְתוֹךְ הַמַּחֲנֶה בְּאַשְׁמֹרֶת הַבֹּקֶר וַיַּכּוּ אֶת עַמּוֹן עַד חֹם הַיּוֹם וַיְהִי הַנִּשְׁאָרִים וַיָּפֻצוּ וְלֹא נִשְׁאֲרוּ בָם שְׁנַיִם יָחַד. (יב) וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל מִי הָאֹמֵר שָׁאוּל יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ תְּנוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים וּנְמִיתֵם. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לֹא יוּמַת אִישׁ בַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה י״י תְּשׁוּעָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. (יד) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל הָעָם לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה הַגִּלְגָּל וּנְחַדֵּשׁ שָׁם הַמְּלוּכָה. (טו) וַיֵּלְכוּ כׇל הָעָם הַגִּלְגָּל וַיַּמְלִכוּ שָׁם אֶת שָׁאוּל לִפְנֵי י״י בַּגִּלְגָּל וַיִּזְבְּחוּ שָׁם זְבָחִים שְׁלָמִים לִפְנֵי י״י וַיִּשְׂמַח שָׁם שָׁאוּל וְכׇל אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד מְאֹד.

פרק יב

(א) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנֵּה שָׁמַעְתִּי בְקֹלְכֶם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר אֲמַרְתֶּם לִי וָאַמְלִיךְ עֲלֵיכֶם מֶלֶךְ. (ב) וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם וַאֲנִי זָקַנְתִּי וָשַׂבְתִּי וּבָנַי הִנָּם אִתְּכֶם וַאֲנִי הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם מִנְּעֻרַי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (ג) הִנְנִי עֲנוּ בִי נֶגֶד י״י וְנֶגֶד מְשִׁיחוֹ אֶת שׁוֹר מִי לָקַחְתִּי וַחֲמוֹר מִי לָקַחְתִּי וְאֶת מִי עָשַׁקְתִּי אֶת מִי רַצּוֹתִי וּמִיַּד מִי לָקַחְתִּי כֹפֶר וְאַעְלִים עֵינַי בּוֹ וְאָשִׁיב לָכֶם. (ד) וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא עֲשַׁקְתָּנוּ וְלֹא רַצּוֹתָנוּ וְלֹא לָקַחְתָּ מִיַּד אִישׁ מְאוּמָה. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם עֵד י״י בָּכֶם וְעֵד מְשִׁיחוֹ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא מְצָאתֶם בְּיָדִי מְאוּמָה וַיֹּאמֶר עֵד. (ו) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל הָעָם י״י אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֶת מֹשֶׁה וְאֶת אַהֲרֹן וַאֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָה אֶת אֲבֹתֵיכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם. (ז) וְעַתָּה הִתְיַצְּבוּ וְאִשָּׁפְטָה אִתְּכֶם לִפְנֵי י״י אֵת כׇּל צִדְקוֹת י״י אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אִתְּכֶם וְאֶת אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם. (ח) כַּאֲשֶׁר בָּא יַעֲקֹב מִצְרָיִם וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם אֶל י״י וַיִּשְׁלַח י״י אֶת מֹשֶׁה וְאֶת אַהֲרֹן וַיּוֹצִיאוּ אֶת אֲבֹתֵיכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם וַיֹּשִׁבוּם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה. (ט) וַיִּשְׁכְּחוּ אֶת י״י אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וַיִּמְכֹּר אֹתָם בְּיַד סִיסְרָא שַׂר צְבָא חָצוֹר וּבְיַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבְיַד מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיִּלָּחֲמוּ בָּם. (י) וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֶל י״י [וַיֹּאמְרוּ] (ויאמר) חָטָאנוּ כִּי עָזַבְנוּ אֶת י״י וַנַּעֲבֹד אֶת הַבְּעָלִים וְאֶת הָעַשְׁתָּרוֹת וְעַתָּה הַצִּילֵנוּ מִיַּד אֹיְבֵינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶךָּ. (יא) וַיִּשְׁלַח י״י אֶת יְרֻבַּעַל וְאֶת בְּדָן וְאֶת יִפְתָּח וְאֶת שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּצֵּל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד אֹיְבֵיכֶם מִסָּבִיב וַתֵּשְׁבוּ בֶּטַח. (יב) וַתִּרְאוּ כִּי נָחָשׁ מֶלֶךְ בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן בָּא עֲלֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ לִי לֹא כִּי מֶלֶךְ יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ וַי״י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם מַלְכְּכֶם. (יג) וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתֶּם אֲשֶׁר שְׁאֶלְתֶּם וְהִנֵּה נָתַן י״י עֲלֵיכֶם מֶלֶךְ. (יד) אִם תִּירְאוּ אֶת י״י וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ וּשְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלוֹ וְלֹא תַמְרוּ אֶת פִּי י״י וִהְיִתֶם גַּם אַתֶּם וְגַם הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם אַחַר י״י אֱלֹהֵיכֶם. (טו) וְאִם לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקוֹל י״י וּמְרִיתֶם אֶת פִּי י״י וְהָיְתָה יַד י״י בָּכֶם וּבַאֲבֹתֵיכֶם. (טז) גַּם עַתָּה הִתְיַצְּבוּ וּרְאוּ אֶת הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר י״י עֹשֶׂה לְעֵינֵיכֶם. (יז) הֲלוֹא קְצִיר חִטִּים הַיּוֹם אֶקְרָא אֶל י״י וְיִתֵּן קֹלוֹת וּמָטָר וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ כִּי רָעַתְכֶם רַבָּה אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם בְּעֵינֵי י״י לִשְׁאוֹל לָכֶם מֶלֶךְ. (יח) וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל י״י וַיִּתֵּן י״י קֹלֹת וּמָטָר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיִּירָא כׇל הָעָם מְאֹד אֶת י״י וְאֶת שְׁמוּאֵל. (יט) וַיֹּאמְרוּ כׇל הָעָם אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל הִתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַד עֲבָדֶיךָ אֶל י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְאַל נָמוּת כִּי יָסַפְנוּ עַל כׇּל חַטֹּאתֵינוּ רָעָה לִשְׁאֹל לָנוּ מֶלֶךְ. (כ) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל הָעָם אַל תִּירָאוּ אַתֶּם עֲשִׂיתֶם אֵת כׇּל הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אַךְ אַל תָּסוּרוּ מֵאַחֲרֵי י״י וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֶת י״י בְּכׇל לְבַבְכֶם. (כא) וְלֹא תָּסוּרוּ כִּי אַחֲרֵי הַתֹּהוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יוֹעִילוּ וְלֹא יַצִּילוּ כִּי תֹהוּ הֵמָּה. (כב) כִּי לֹא יִטֹּשׁ י״י אֶת עַמּוֹ בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל כִּי הוֹאִיל י״י לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶתְכֶם לוֹ לְעָם. (כג) גַּם אָנֹכִי חָלִילָה לִּי מֵחֲטֹא לַי״י מֵחֲדֹל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בַּעַדְכֶם וְהוֹרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם בְּדֶרֶךְ הַטּוֹבָה וְהַיְשָׁרָה. (כד) אַךְ יְראוּ אֶת י״י וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכׇל לְבַבְכֶם כִּי רְאוּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר הִגְדִּל עִמָּכֶם. (כה) וְאִם הָרֵעַ תָּרֵעוּ גַּם אַתֶּם גַּם מַלְכְּכֶם תִּסָּפוּ.

פרק יג

(א) בֶּן שָׁנָה שָׁאוּל בְּמׇלְכוֹ וּשְׁתֵּי שָׁנִים מָלַךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. (ב) וַיִּבְחַר לוֹ שָׁאוּל שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּהְיוּ עִם שָׁאוּל אַלְפַּיִם בְּמִכְמָשׂ וּבְהַר בֵּית אֵל וְאֶלֶף הָיוּ עִם יוֹנָתָן בְּגִבְעַת בִּנְיָמִין וְיֶתֶר הָעָם שִׁלַּח אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו. (ג) וַיַּךְ יוֹנָתָן אֵת נְצִיב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אֲשֶׁר בְּגֶבַע וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ פְּלִשְׁתִּים וְשָׁאוּל תָּקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר בְּכׇל הָאָרֶץ לֵאמֹר יִשְׁמְעוּ הָעִבְרִים. (ד) וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׁמְעוּ לֵאמֹר הִכָּה שָׁאוּל אֶת נְצִיב פְּלִשְׁתִּים וְגַם נִבְאַשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּצָּעֲקוּ הָעָם אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל הַגִּלְגָּל. (ה) וּפְלִשְׁתִּים נֶאֶסְפוּ לְהִלָּחֵם עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף רֶכֶב וְשֵׁשֶׁת אֲלָפִים פָּרָשִׁים וְעָם כַּחוֹל אֲשֶׁר עַל שְׂפַת הַיָּם לָרֹב וַיַּעֲלוּ וַיַּחֲנוּ בְמִכְמָשׂ קִדְמַת בֵּית אָוֶן. (ו) וְאִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל רָאוּ כִּי צַר לוֹ כִּי נִגַּשׂ הָעָם וַיִּתְחַבְּאוּ הָעָם בַּמְּעָרוֹת וּבַחֲוָחִים וּבַסְּלָעִים וּבַצְּרִחִים וּבַבֹּרוֹת. (ז) וְעִבְרִים עָבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן אֶרֶץ גָּד וְגִלְעָד וְשָׁאוּל עוֹדֶנּוּ בַגִּלְגָּל וְכׇל הָעָם חָרְדוּ אַחֲרָיו. (ח) [וַיּוֹחֶל] (וייחל) שִׁבְעַת יָמִים לַמּוֹעֵד אֲשֶׁר שְׁמוּאֵל וְלֹא בָא שְׁמוּאֵל הַגִּלְגָּל וַיָּפֶץ הָעָם מֵעָלָיו. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הַגִּשׁוּ אֵלַי הָעֹלָה וְהַשְּׁלָמִים וַיַּעַל הָעֹלָה. (י) וַיְהִי כְּכַלֹּתוֹ לְהַעֲלוֹת הָעֹלָה וְהִנֵּה שְׁמוּאֵל בָּא וַיֵּצֵא שָׁאוּל לִקְרָאתוֹ לְבָרְכוֹ. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל מֶה עָשִׂיתָ וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל כִּי רָאִיתִי כִי נָפַץ הָעָם מֵעָלַי וְאַתָּה לֹא בָאתָ לְמוֹעֵד הַיָּמִים וּפְלִשְׁתִּים נֶאֱסָפִים מִכְמָשׂ. (יב) וָאֹמַר עַתָּה יֵרְדוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֵלַי הַגִּלְגָּל וּפְנֵי י״י לֹא חִלִּיתִי וָאֶתְאַפַּק וָאַעֲלֶה הָעֹלָה. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל נִסְכָּלְתָּ לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת מִצְוַת י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר צִוָּךְ כִּי עַתָּה הֵכִין י״י אֶת מַמְלַכְתְּךָ אֶל יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד עוֹלָם. (יד) וְעַתָּה מַמְלַכְתְּךָ לֹא תָקוּם בִּקֵּשׁ י״י לוֹ אִישׁ כִּלְבָבוֹ וַיְצַוֵּהוּ י״י לְנָגִיד עַל עַמּוֹ כִּי לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ י״י. (טו) וַיָּקׇם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּעַל מִן הַגִּלְגָּל גִּבְעַת בִּנְיָמִן וַיִּפְקֹד שָׁאוּל אֶת הָעָם הַנִּמְצְאִים עִמּוֹ כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ. (טז) וְשָׁאוּל וְיוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וְהָעָם הַנִּמְצָא עִמָּם יֹשְׁבִים בְּגֶבַע בִּנְיָמִן וּפְלִשְׁתִּים חָנוּ בְמִכְמָשׂ. (יז) וַיֵּצֵא הַמַּשְׁחִית מִמַּחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים שְׁלֹשָׁה רָאשִׁים הָרֹאשׁ אֶחָד יִפְנֶה אֶל דֶּרֶךְ עׇפְרָה אֶל אֶרֶץ שׁוּעָל. (יח) וְהָרֹאשׁ אֶחָד יִפְנֶה דֶּרֶךְ בֵּית חֹרוֹן וְהָרֹאשׁ אֶחָד יִפְנֶה דֶּרֶךְ הַגְּבוּל הַנִּשְׁקָף עַל גֵּי הַצְּבֹעִים הַמִּדְבָּרָה. (יט) וְחָרָשׁ לֹא יִמָּצֵא בְּכֹל אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי [אָמְרוּ] (אמר) פְלִשְׁתִּים פֶּן יַעֲשׂוּ הָעִבְרִים חֶרֶב אוֹ חֲנִית. (כ) וַיֵּרְדוּ כׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים לִלְטוֹשׁ אִישׁ אֶת מַחֲרַשְׁתּוֹ וְאֶת אֵתוֹ וְאֶת קַרְדֻּמּוֹ וְאֵת מַחֲרֵשָׁתוֹ. (כא) וְהָיְתָה הַפְּצִירָה פִים לַמַּחֲרֵשֹׁת וְלָאֵתִים וְלִשְׁלֹשׁ קִלְּשׁוֹן וּלְהַקַּרְדֻּמִּים וּלְהַצִּיב הַדָּרְבָן. (כב) וְהָיָה בְּיוֹם מִלְחֶמֶת וְלֹא נִמְצָא חֶרֶב וַחֲנִית בְּיַד כׇּל הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אֶת שָׁאוּל וְאֶת יוֹנָתָן וַתִּמָּצֵא לְשָׁאוּל וּלְיוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ. (כג) וַיֵּצֵא מַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אֶל מַעֲבַר מִכְמָשׂ.

פרק יד

(א) וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל אֶל הַנַּעַר נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו לְכָה וְנַעְבְּרָה אֶל מַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים אֲשֶׁר מֵעֵבֶר הַלָּז וּלְאָבִיו לֹא הִגִּיד. (ב) וְשָׁאוּל יוֹשֵׁב בִּקְצֵה הַגִּבְעָה תַּחַת הָרִמּוֹן אֲשֶׁר בְּמִגְרוֹן וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ. (ג) וַאֲחִיָּה בֶן אֲחִטוּב אֲחִי אִיכָבוֹד בֶּן פִּינְחָס בֶּן עֵלִי כֹּהֵן י״י בְּשִׁלוֹ נֹשֵׂא אֵפוֹד וְהָעָם לֹא יָדַע כִּי הָלַךְ יוֹנָתָן. (ד) וּבֵין הַמַּעְבְּרוֹת אֲשֶׁר בִּקֵּשׁ יוֹנָתָן לַעֲבֹר עַל מַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים שֵׁן הַסֶּלַע מֵהָעֵבֶר מִזֶּה וְשֵׁן הַסֶּלַע מֵהָעֵבֶר מִזֶּה וְשֵׁם הָאֶחָד בּוֹצֵץ וְשֵׁם הָאֶחָד סֶנֶּה. (ה) הַשֵּׁן הָאֶחָד מָצוּק מִצָּפוֹן מוּל מִכְמָשׂ וְהָאֶחָד מִנֶּגֶב מוּל גָּבַע. (ו) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן אֶל הַנַּעַר נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו לְכָה וְנַעְבְּרָה אֶל מַצַּב הָעֲרֵלִים הָאֵלֶּה אוּלַי יַעֲשֶׂה י״י לָנוּ כִּי אֵין לַי״י מַעְצוֹר לְהוֹשִׁיעַ בְּרַב אוֹ בִמְעָט. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו עֲשֵׂה כׇּל אֲשֶׁר בִּלְבָבֶךָ נְטֵה לָךְ הִנְנִי עִמְּךָ כִּלְבָבֶךָ. (ח) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ עֹבְרִים אֶל הָאֲנָשִׁים וְנִגְלִינוּ אֲלֵיהֶם. (ט) אִם כֹּה יֹאמְרוּ אֵלֵינוּ דֹּמּוּ עַד הַגִּיעֵנוּ אֲלֵיכֶם וְעָמַדְנוּ תַחְתֵּינוּ וְלֹא נַעֲלֶה אֲלֵיהֶם. (י) וְאִם כֹּה יֹאמְרוּ עֲלוּ עָלֵינוּ וְעָלִינוּ כִּי נְתָנָם י״י בְּיָדֵנוּ וְזֶה לָּנוּ הָאוֹת. (יא) וַיִּגָּלוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם אֶל מַצַּב פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיֹּאמְרוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים הִנֵּה עִבְרִים יֹצְאִים מִן הַחֹרִים אֲשֶׁר הִתְחַבְּאוּ שָׁם. (יב) וַיַּעֲנוּ אַנְשֵׁי הַמַּצָּבָה אֶת יוֹנָתָן וְאֶת נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו וַיֹּאמְרוּ עֲלוּ אֵלֵינוּ וְנוֹדִיעָה אֶתְכֶם דָּבָר וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹנָתָן אֶל נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו עֲלֵה אַחֲרַי כִּי נְתָנָם י״י בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל. (יג) וַיַּעַל יוֹנָתָן עַל יָדָיו וְעַל רַגְלָיו וְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו אַחֲרָיו וַיִּפְּלוּ לִפְנֵי יוֹנָתָן וְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו מְמוֹתֵת אַחֲרָיו. (יד) וַתְּהִי הַמַּכָּה הָרִאשֹׁנָה אֲשֶׁר הִכָּה יוֹנָתָן וְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו כְּעֶשְׂרִים אִישׁ כְּבַחֲצִי מַעֲנָה צֶמֶד שָׂדֶה. (טו) וַתְּהִי חֲרָדָה בַמַּחֲנֶה בַשָּׂדֶה וּבְכׇל הָעָם הַמַּצָּב וְהַמַּשְׁחִית חָרְדוּ גַּם הֵמָּה וַתִּרְגַּז הָאָרֶץ וַתְּהִי לְחֶרְדַּת אֱלֹהִים. (טז) וַיִּרְאוּ הַצֹּפִים לְשָׁאוּל בְּגִבְעַת בִּנְיָמִן וְהִנֵּה הֶהָמוֹן נָמוֹג וַיֵּלֶךְ וַהֲלֹם. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ פִּקְדוּ נָא וּרְאוּ מִי הָלַךְ מֵעִמָּנוּ וַיִּפְקְדוּ וְהִנֵּה אֵין יוֹנָתָן וְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לַאֲחִיָּה הַגִּישָׁה אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי הָיָה אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. (יט) וַיְהִי עַד דִּבֶּר שָׁאוּל אֶל הַכֹּהֵן וְהֶהָמוֹן אֲשֶׁר בְּמַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וָרָב וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל הַכֹּהֵן אֱסֹף יָדֶךָ. (כ) וַיִּזָּעֵק שָׁאוּל וְכׇל הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד הַמִּלְחָמָה וְהִנֵּה הָיְתָה חֶרֶב אִישׁ בְּרֵעֵהוּ מְהוּמָה גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד. (כא) וְהָעִבְרִים הָיוּ לַפְּלִשְׁתִּים כְּאֶתְמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם אֲשֶׁר עָלוּ עִמָּם בַּמַּחֲנֶה סָבִיב וְגַם הֵמָּה לִהְיוֹת עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר עִם שָׁאוּל וְיוֹנָתָן. (כב) וְכֹל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמִּתְחַבְּאִים בְּהַר אֶפְרַיִם שָׁמְעוּ כִּי נָסוּ פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּדְבְּקוּ גַם הֵמָּה אַחֲרֵיהֶם בַּמִּלְחָמָה. (כג) וַיּוֹשַׁע י״י בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַמִּלְחָמָה עָבְרָה אֶת בֵּית אָוֶן. (כד) וְאִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל נִגַּשׂ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיֹּאֶל שָׁאוּל אֶת הָעָם לֵאמֹר אָרוּר הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יֹאכַל לֶחֶם עַד הָעֶרֶב וְנִקַּמְתִּי מֵאֹיְבַי וְלֹא טָעַם כׇּל הָעָם לָחֶם. (כה) וְכׇל הָאָרֶץ בָּאוּ בַיָּעַר וַיְהִי דְבַשׁ עַל פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה. (כו) וַיָּבֹא הָעָם אֶל הַיַּעַר וְהִנֵּה הֵלֶךְ דְּבָשׁ וְאֵין מַשִּׂיג יָדוֹ אֶל פִּיו כִּי יָרֵא הָעָם אֶת הַשְּׁבֻעָה. (כז) וְיוֹנָתָן לֹא שָׁמַע בְּהַשְׁבִּיעַ אָבִיו אֶת הָעָם וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת קְצֵה הַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ וַיִּטְבֹּל אוֹתָהּ בְּיַעְרַת הַדְּבָשׁ וַיָּשֶׁב יָדוֹ אֶל פִּיו [וַתָּאֹרְנָה] (ותראנה) עֵינָיו. (כח) וַיַּעַן אִישׁ מֵהָעָם וַיֹּאמֶר הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ אָבִיךָ אֶת הָעָם לֵאמֹר אָרוּר הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יֹאכַל לֶחֶם הַיּוֹם וַיָּעַף הָעָם. (כט) וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹנָתָן עָכַר אָבִי אֶת הָאָרֶץ רְאוּ נָא כִּי אֹרוּ עֵינַי כִּי טָעַמְתִּי מְעַט דְּבַשׁ הַזֶּה. (ל) אַף כִּי לוּא אָכֹל אָכַל הַיּוֹם הָעָם מִשְּׁלַל אֹיְבָיו אֲשֶׁר מָצָא כִּי עַתָּה לֹא רָבְתָה מַכָּה בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים. (לא) וַיַּכּוּ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים מִמִּכְמָשׂ אַיָּלֹנָה וַיָּעַף הָעָם מְאֹד. (לב) [וַיַּעַט] (ויעש) הָעָם אֶל [הַשָּׁלָל] (שלל) וַיִּקְחוּ צֹאן וּבָקָר וּבְנֵי בָקָר וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ אָרְצָה וַיֹּאכַל הָעָם עַל הַדָּם. (לג) וַיַּגִּידוּ לְשָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה הָעָם חֹטִאים לַי״י לֶאֱכֹל עַל הַדָּם וַיֹּאמֶר בְּגַדְתֶּם גֹּלּוּ אֵלַי הַיּוֹם אֶבֶן גְּדוֹלָה. (לד) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל פֻּצוּ בָעָם וַאֲמַרְתֶּם לָהֶם הַגִּישׁוּ אֵלַי אִישׁ שׁוֹרוֹ וְאִישׁ שְׂיֵהוּ וּשְׁחַטְתֶּם בָּזֶה וַאֲכַלְתֶּם וְלֹא תֶחֶטְאוּ לַי״י לֶאֱכֹל אֶל הַדָּם וַיַּגִּשׁוּ כׇל הָעָם אִישׁ שׁוֹרוֹ בְיָדוֹ הַלַּיְלָה וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ שָׁם. (לה) וַיִּבֶן שָׁאוּל מִזְבֵּחַ לַי״י אֹתוֹ הֵחֵל לִבְנוֹת מִזְבֵּחַ לַי״י. (לו) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל נֵרְדָה אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים לַיְלָה וְנָבֹזָה בָהֶם עַד אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר וְלֹא נַשְׁאֵר בָּהֶם אִישׁ וַיֹּאמְרוּ כׇּל הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עֲשֵׂה וַיֹּאמֶר הַכֹּהֵן נִקְרְבָה הֲלֹם אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים. (לז) וַיִּשְׁאַל שָׁאוּל בֵּאלֹהִים הַאֵרֵד אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים הֲתִתְּנֵם בְּיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל וְלֹא עָנָהוּ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא. (לח) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל גֹּשׁוּ הֲלֹם כֹּל פִּנּוֹת הָעָם וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ בַּמָּה הָיְתָה הַחַטָּאת הַזֹּאת הַיּוֹם. (לט) כִּי חַי י״י הַמּוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי אִם יֶשְׁנוֹ בְּיוֹנָתָן בְּנִי כִּי מוֹת יָמוּת וְאֵין עֹנֵהוּ מִכׇּל הָעָם. (מ) וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל אַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד וַאֲנִי וְיוֹנָתָן בְּנִי נִהְיֶה לְעֵבֶר אֶחָד וַיֹּאמְרוּ הָעָם אֶל שָׁאוּל הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ עֲשֵׂה. (מא) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הָבָה תָמִים וַיִּלָּכֵד יוֹנָתָן וְשָׁאוּל וְהָעָם יָצָאוּ. (מב) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הַפִּילוּ בֵּינִי וּבֵין יוֹנָתָן בְּנִי וַיִּלָּכֵד יוֹנָתָן. (מג) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל יוֹנָתָן הַגִּידָה לִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתָה וַיַּגֶּד לוֹ יוֹנָתָן וַיֹּאמֶר טָעֹם טָעַמְתִּי בִּקְצֵה הַמַּטֶּה אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדִי מְעַט דְּבַשׁ הִנְנִי אָמוּת. (מד) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֹסִף כִּי מוֹת תָּמוּת יוֹנָתָן. (מה) וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אֶל שָׁאוּל הֲיוֹנָתָן יָמוּת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הַיְשׁוּעָה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חָלִילָה חַי י״י אִם יִפֹּל מִשַּׂעֲרַת רֹאשׁוֹ אַרְצָה כִּי עִם אֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וַיִּפְדּוּ הָעָם אֶת יוֹנָתָן וְלֹא מֵת. (מו) וַיַּעַל שָׁאוּל מֵאַחֲרֵי פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּפְלִשְׁתִּים הָלְכוּ לִמְקוֹמָם. (מז) וְשָׁאוּל לָכַד הַמְּלוּכָה עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּלָּחֶם סָבִיב בְּכׇל אֹיְבָיו בְּמוֹאָב וּבִבְנֵי עַמּוֹן וּבֶאֱדוֹם וּבְמַלְכֵי צוֹבָה וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה יַרְשִׁיעַ. (מח) וַיַּעַשׂ חַיִל וַיַּךְ אֶת עֲמָלֵק וַיַּצֵּל אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִיַּד שֹׁסֵהוּ. (מט) וַיִּהְיוּ בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל יוֹנָתָן וְיִשְׁוִי וּמַלְכִּי שׁוּעַ וְשֵׁם שְׁתֵּי בְנֹתָיו שֵׁם הַבְּכִירָה מֵרַב וְשֵׁם הַקְּטַנָּה מִיכַל. (נ) וְשֵׁם אֵשֶׁת שָׁאוּל אֲחִינֹעַם בַּת אֲחִימָעַץ וְשֵׁם שַׂר צְבָאוֹ אֲבִינֵר בֶּן נֵר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל. (נא) וְקִישׁ אֲבִי שָׁאוּל וְנֵר אֲבִי אַבְנֵר בֶּן אֲבִיאֵל. (נב) וַתְּהִי הַמִּלְחָמָה חֲזָקָה עַל פְּלִשְׁתִּים כֹּל יְמֵי שָׁאוּל וְרָאָה שָׁאוּל כׇּל אִישׁ גִּבּוֹר וְכׇל בֶּן חַיִל וַיַּאַסְפֵהוּ אֵלָיו.

פרק טו

(א) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל אֹתִי שָׁלַח י״י לִמְשׇׁחֳךָ לְמֶלֶךְ עַל עַמּוֹ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַתָּה שְׁמַע לְקוֹל דִּבְרֵי י״י. (ב) כֹּה אָמַר י״י צְבָאוֹת פָּקַדְתִּי אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה עֲמָלֵק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר שָׂם לוֹ בַּדֶּרֶךְ בַּעֲלֹתוֹ מִמִּצְרָיִם. (ג) עַתָּה לֵךְ וְהִכִּיתָה אֶת עֲמָלֵק וְהַחֲרַמְתֶּם אֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ וְלֹא תַחְמֹל עָלָיו וְהֵמַתָּה מֵאִישׁ עַד אִשָּׁה מֵעֹלֵל וְעַד יוֹנֵק מִשּׁוֹר וְעַד שֶׂה מִגָּמָל וְעַד חֲמוֹר. (ד) וַיְשַׁמַּע שָׁאוּל אֶת הָעָם וַיִּפְקְדֵם בַּטְּלָאִים מָאתַיִם אֶלֶף רַגְלִי וַעֲשֶׂרֶת אֲלָפִים אֶת אִישׁ יְהוּדָה. (ה) וַיָּבֹא שָׁאוּל עַד עִיר עֲמָלֵק וַיָּרֶב בַּנָּחַל. (ו) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל הַקֵּינִי לְכוּ סֻּרוּ רְדוּ מִתּוֹךְ עֲמָלֵקִי פֶּן אֹסִפְךָ עִמּוֹ וְאַתָּה עָשִׂיתָה חֶסֶד עִם כׇּל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בַּעֲלוֹתָם מִמִּצְרָיִם וַיָּסַר קֵינִי מִתּוֹךְ עֲמָלֵק. (ז) וַיַּךְ שָׁאוּל אֶת עֲמָלֵק מֵחֲוִילָה בּוֹאֲךָ שׁוּר אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי מִצְרָיִם. (ח) וַיִּתְפֹּשׂ אֶת אֲגַג מֶלֶךְ עֲמָלֵק חָי וְאֶת כׇּל הָעָם הֶחֱרִים לְפִי חָרֶב. (ט) וַיַּחְמֹל שָׁאוּל וְהָעָם עַל אֲגָג וְעַל מֵיטַב הַצֹּאן וְהַבָּקָר וְהַמִּשְׁנִים וְעַל הַכָּרִים וְעַל כׇּל הַטּוֹב וְלֹא אָבוּ הַחֲרִימָם וְכׇל הַמְּלָאכָה נְמִבְזָה וְנָמֵס אֹתָהּ הֶחֱרִימוּ. (י) וַיְהִי דְּבַר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל לֵאמֹר. (יא) נִחַמְתִּי כִּי הִמְלַכְתִּי אֶת שָׁאוּל לְמֶלֶךְ כִּי שָׁב מֵאַחֲרַי וְאֶת דְּבָרַי לֹא הֵקִים וַיִּחַר לִשְׁמוּאֵל וַיִּזְעַק אֶל י״י כׇּל הַלָּיְלָה. (יב) וַיַּשְׁכֵּם שְׁמוּאֵל לִקְרַאת שָׁאוּל בַּבֹּקֶר וַיֻּגַּד לִשְׁמוּאֵל לֵאמֹר בָּא שָׁאוּל הַכַּרְמֶלָה וְהִנֵּה מַצִּיב לוֹ יָד וַיִּסֹּב וַיַּעֲבֹר וַיֵּרֶד הַגִּלְגָּל. (יג) וַיָּבֹא שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ שָׁאוּל בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה לַי״י הֲקִימֹתִי אֶת דְּבַר י״י. (יד) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל וּמֶה קוֹל הַצֹּאן הַזֶּה בְּאׇזְנָי וְקוֹל הַבָּקָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל מֵעֲמָלֵקִי הֱבִיאוּם אֲשֶׁר חָמַל הָעָם עַל מֵיטַב הַצֹּאן וְהַבָּקָר לְמַעַן זְבֹחַ לַי״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְאֶת הַיּוֹתֵר הֶחֱרַמְנוּ. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל הֶרֶף וְאַגִּידָה לְּךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר י״י אֵלַי הַלָּיְלָה [וַיֹּאמֶר] (ויאמרו) לוֹ דַּבֵּר. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל הֲלוֹא אִם קָטֹן אַתָּה בְּעֵינֶיךָ רֹאשׁ שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָתָּה וַיִּמְשָׁחֲךָ י״י לְמֶלֶךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. (יח) וַיִּשְׁלָחֲךָ י״י בְּדָרֶךְ וַיֹּאמֶר לֵךְ וְהַחֲרַמְתָּה אֶת הַחַטָּאִים אֶת עֲמָלֵק וְנִלְחַמְתָּ בוֹ עַד כַּלּוֹתָם אֹתָם. (יט) וְלָמָּה לֹא שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹל י״י וַתַּעַט אֶל הַשָּׁלָל וַתַּעַשׂ הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי י״י. (כ) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְתִּי בְּקוֹל י״י וָאֵלֵךְ בַּדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחַנִי י״י וָאָבִיא אֶת אֲגַג מֶלֶךְ עֲמָלֵק וְאֶת עֲמָלֵק הֶחֱרַמְתִּי. (כא) וַיִּקַּח הָעָם מֵהַשָּׁלָל צֹאן וּבָקָר רֵאשִׁית הַחֵרֶם לִזְבֹּחַ לַי״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ בַּגִּלְגָּל. (כב) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל הַחֵפֶץ לַי״י בְּעֹלוֹת וּזְבָחִים כִּשְׁמֹעַ בְּקוֹל י״י הִנֵּה שְׁמֹעַ מִזֶּבַח טוֹב לְהַקְשִׁיב מֵחֵלֶב אֵילִים. (כג) כִּי חַטַּאת קֶסֶם מֶרִי וְאָוֶן וּתְרָפִים הַפְצַר יַעַן מָאַסְתָּ אֶת דְּבַר י״י וַיִּמְאָסְךָ מִמֶּלֶךְ. (כד) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל חָטָאתִי כִּי עָבַרְתִּי אֶת פִּי י״י וְאֶת דְּבָרֶיךָ כִּי יָרֵאתִי אֶת הָעָם וָאֶשְׁמַע בְּקוֹלָם. (כה) וְעַתָּה שָׂא נָא אֶת חַטָּאתִי וְשׁוּב עִמִּי וְאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לַי״י. (כו) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל לֹא אָשׁוּב עִמָּךְ כִּי מָאַסְתָּה אֶת דְּבַר י״י וַיִּמְאָסְךָ י״י מִהְיוֹת מֶלֶךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. (כז) וַיִּסֹּב שְׁמוּאֵל לָלֶכֶת וַיַּחֲזֵק בִּכְנַף מְעִילוֹ וַיִּקָּרַע. (כח) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו שְׁמוּאֵל קָרַע י״י אֶת מַמְלְכוּת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעָלֶיךָ הַיּוֹם וּנְתָנָהּ לְרֵעֲךָ הַטּוֹב מִמֶּךָּ. (כט) וְגַם נֵצַח יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יְשַׁקֵּר וְלֹא יִנָּחֵם כִּי לֹא אָדָם הוּא לְהִנָּחֵם. (ל) וַיֹּאמֶר חָטָאתִי עַתָּה כַּבְּדֵנִי נָא נֶגֶד זִקְנֵי עַמִּי וְנֶגֶד יִשְׂרָאֵל וְשׁוּב עִמִּי וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֵיתִי לַי״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ. (לא) וַיָּשׇׁב שְׁמוּאֵל אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ שָׁאוּל לַי״י. (לב) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל הַגִּישׁוּ אֵלַי אֶת אֲגַג מֶלֶךְ עֲמָלֵק וַיֵּלֶךְ אֵלָיו אֲגַג מַעֲדַנֹּת וַיֹּאמֶר אֲגָג אָכֵן סָר מַר הַמָּוֶת. (לג) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר שִׁכְּלָה נָשִׁים חַרְבֶּךָ כֵּן תִּשְׁכַּל מִנָּשִׁים אִמֶּךָ וַיְשַׁסֵּף שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת אֲגָג לִפְנֵי י״י בַּגִּלְגָּל. (לד) וַיֵּלֶךְ שְׁמוּאֵל הָרָמָתָה וְשָׁאוּל עָלָה אֶל בֵּיתוֹ גִּבְעַת שָׁאוּל. (לה) וְלֹא יָסַף שְׁמוּאֵל לִרְאוֹת אֶת שָׁאוּל עַד יוֹם מוֹתוֹ כִּי הִתְאַבֵּל שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל וַי״י נִחָם כִּי הִמְלִיךְ אֶת שָׁאוּל עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל.

פרק טז

(א) וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל עַד מָתַי אַתָּה מִתְאַבֵּל אֶל שָׁאוּל וַאֲנִי מְאַסְתִּיו מִמְּלֹךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל מַלֵּא קַרְנְךָ שֶׁמֶן וְלֵךְ אֶשְׁלָחֲךָ אֶל יִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי כִּי רָאִיתִי בְּבָנָיו לִי מֶלֶךְ. (ב) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֵיךְ אֵלֵךְ וְשָׁמַע שָׁאוּל וַהֲרָגָנִי וַיֹּאמֶר י״י עֶגְלַת בָּקָר תִּקַּח בְּיָדֶךָ וְאָמַרְתָּ לִזְבֹּחַ לַי״י בָּאתִי. (ג) וְקָרָאתָ לְיִשַׁי בַּזָּבַח וְאָנֹכִי אוֹדִיעֲךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה וּמָשַׁחְתָּ לִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר אֹמַר אֵלֶיךָ. (ד) וַיַּעַשׂ שְׁמוּאֵל אֵת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר י״י וַיָּבֹא בֵּית לָחֶם וַיֶּחֶרְדוּ זִקְנֵי הָעִיר לִקְרָאתוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁלֹם בּוֹאֶךָ. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁלוֹם לִזְבֹּחַ לַי״י בָּאתִי הִתְקַדְּשׁוּ וּבָאתֶם אִתִּי בַּזָּבַח וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֶת יִשַׁי וְאֶת בָּנָיו וַיִּקְרָא לָהֶם לַזָּבַח. (ו) וַיְהִי בְּבוֹאָם וַיַּרְא אֶת אֱלִיאָב וַיֹּאמֶר אַךְ נֶגֶד י״י מְשִׁיחוֹ. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל אַל תַּבֵּט אֶל מַרְאֵהוּ וְאֶל גְּבֹהַּ קוֹמָתוֹ כִּי מְאַסְתִּיהוּ כִּי לֹא אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה הָאָדָם כִּי הָאָדָם יִרְאֶה לַעֵינַיִם וַי״י יִרְאֶה לַלֵּבָב. (ח) וַיִּקְרָא יִשַׁי אֶל אֲבִינָדָב וַיַּעֲבִרֵהוּ לִפְנֵי שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר גַּם בָּזֶה לֹא בָחַר י״י. (ט) וַיַּעֲבֵר יִשַׁי שַׁמָּה וַיֹּאמֶר גַּם בָּזֶה לֹא בָחַר י״י. (י) וַיַּעֲבֵר יִשַׁי שִׁבְעַת בָּנָיו לִפְנֵי שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל יִשַׁי לֹא בָחַר י״י בָּאֵלֶּה. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל יִשַׁי הֲתַמּוּ הַנְּעָרִים וַיֹּאמֶר עוֹד שָׁאַר הַקָּטָן וְהִנֵּה רֹעֶה בַּצֹּאן וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל יִשַׁי שִׁלְחָה וְקָחֶנּוּ כִּי לֹא נָסֹב עַד בֹּאוֹ פֹה. (יב) וַיִּשְׁלַח וַיְבִיאֵהוּ וְהוּא אַדְמוֹנִי עִם יְפֵה עֵינַיִם וְטוֹב רֹאִי וַיֹּאמֶר י״י קוּם מְשָׁחֵהוּ כִּי זֶה הוּא. (יג) וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת קֶרֶן הַשֶּׁמֶן וַיִּמְשַׁח אֹתוֹ בְּקֶרֶב אֶחָיו וַתִּצְלַח רוּחַ י״י אֶל דָּוִד מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָמָעְלָה וַיָּקׇם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ הָרָמָתָה. (יד) וְרוּחַ י״י סָרָה מֵעִם שָׁאוּל וּבִעֲתַתּוּ רוּחַ רָעָה מֵאֵת י״י. (טו) וַיֹּאמְרוּ עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל אֵלָיו הִנֵּה נָא רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים רָעָה מְבַעִתֶּךָ. (טז) יֹאמַר נָא אֲדֹנֵנוּ עֲבָדֶיךָ לְפָנֶיךָ יְבַקְשׁוּ אִישׁ יֹדֵעַ מְנַגֵּן בַּכִּנּוֹר וְהָיָה בִּהְיוֹת עָלֶיךָ רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים רָעָה וְנִגֵּן בְּיָדוֹ וְטוֹב לָךְ. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל עֲבָדָיו רְאוּ נָא לִי אִישׁ מֵיטִיב לְנַגֵּן וַהֲבִיאוֹתֶם אֵלָי. (יח) וַיַּעַן אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה רָאִיתִי בֵּן לְיִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה וּנְבוֹן דָּבָר וְאִישׁ תֹּאַר וַי״י עִמּוֹ. (יט) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל מַלְאָכִים אֶל יִשָׁי וַיֹּאמֶר שִׁלְחָה אֵלַי אֶת דָּוִד בִּנְךָ אֲשֶׁר בַּצֹּאן. (כ) וַיִּקַּח יִשַׁי חֲמוֹר לֶחֶם וְנֹאד יַיִן וּגְדִי עִזִּים אֶחָד וַיִּשְׁלַח בְּיַד דָּוִד בְּנוֹ אֶל שָׁאוּל. (כא) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיַּעֲמֹד לְפָנָיו וַיֶּאֱהָבֵהוּ מְאֹד וַיְהִי לוֹ נֹשֵׂא כֵלִים. (כב) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל אֶל יִשַׁי לֵאמֹר יַעֲמׇד נָא דָוִד לְפָנַי כִּי מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינָי. (כג) וְהָיָה בִּהְיוֹת רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים אֶל שָׁאוּל וְלָקַח דָּוִד אֶת הַכִּנּוֹר וְנִגֵּן בְּיָדוֹ וְרָוַח לְשָׁאוּל וְטוֹב לוֹ וְסָרָה מֵעָלָיו רוּחַ הָרָעָה.

פרק יז

(א) וַיַּאַסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת מַחֲנֵיהֶם לַמִּלְחָמָה וַיֵּאָסְפוּ שֹׂכֹה אֲשֶׁר לִיהוּדָה וַיַּחֲנוּ בֵּין שׂוֹכֹה וּבֵין עֲזֵקָה בְּאֶפֶס דַּמִּים. (ב) וְשָׁאוּל וְאִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶאֶסְפוּ וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּעֵמֶק הָאֵלָה וַיַּעַרְכוּ מִלְחָמָה לִקְרַאת פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (ג) וּפְלִשְׁתִּים עֹמְדִים אֶל הָהָר מִזֶּה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֹמְדִים אֶל הָהָר מִזֶּה וְהַגַּיְא בֵּינֵיהֶם. (ד) וַיֵּצֵא אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם מִמַּחֲנוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים גׇּלְיָת שְׁמוֹ מִגַּת גׇּבְהוֹ שֵׁשׁ אַמּוֹת וָזָרֶת. (ה) וְכוֹבַע נְחֹשֶׁת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וְשִׁרְיוֹן קַשְׂקַשִּׂים הוּא לָבוּשׁ וּמִשְׁקַל הַשִּׁרְיוֹן חֲמֵשֶׁת אֲלָפִים שְׁקָלִים נְחֹשֶׁת. (ו) וּמִצְחַת נְחֹשֶׁת עַל רַגְלָיו וְכִידוֹן נְחֹשֶׁת בֵּין כְּתֵפָיו. (ז) [וְעֵץ] (וחץ) חֲנִיתוֹ כִּמְנוֹר אֹרְגִים וְלַהֶבֶת חֲנִיתוֹ שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת שְׁקָלִים בַּרְזֶל וְנֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה הֹלֵךְ לְפָנָיו. (ח) וַיַּעֲמֹד וַיִּקְרָא אֶל מַעַרְכֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לָמָּה תֵצְאוּ לַעֲרֹךְ מִלְחָמָה הֲלוֹא אָנֹכִי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וְאַתֶּם עֲבָדִים לְשָׁאוּל בְּרוּ לָכֶם אִישׁ וְיֵרֵד אֵלָי. (ט) אִם יוּכַל לְהִלָּחֵם אִתִּי וְהִכָּנִי וְהָיִינוּ לָכֶם לַעֲבָדִים וְאִם אֲנִי אוּכַל לוֹ וְהִכִּיתִיו וִהְיִיתֶם לָנוּ לַעֲבָדִים וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתָנוּ. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֲנִי חֵרַפְתִּי אֶת מַעַרְכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה תְּנוּ לִי אִישׁ וְנִלָּחֲמָה יָחַד. (יא) וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת דִּבְרֵי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הָאֵלֶּה וַיֵּחַתּוּ וַיִּרְאוּ מְאֹד. (יב) וְדָוִד בֶּן אִישׁ אֶפְרָתִי הַזֶּה מִבֵּית לֶחֶם יְהוּדָה וּשְׁמוֹ יִשַׁי וְלוֹ שְׁמֹנָה בָנִים וְהָאִישׁ בִּימֵי שָׁאוּל זָקֵן בָּא בַאֲנָשִׁים. (יג) וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת בְּנֵי יִשַׁי הַגְּדֹלִים הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל לַמִּלְחָמָה וְשֵׁם שְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה אֱלִיאָב הַבְּכוֹר וּמִשְׁנֵהוּ אֲבִינָדָב וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁי שַׁמָּה. (יד) וְדָוִד הוּא הַקָּטָן וּשְׁלֹשָׁה הַגְּדֹלִים הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל. (טו) וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וָשָׁב מֵעַל שָׁאוּל לִרְעוֹת אֶת צֹאן אָבִיו בֵּית לָחֶם. (טז) וַיִּגַּשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב וַיִּתְיַצֵּב אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר יִשַׁי לְדָוִד בְּנוֹ קַח נָא לְאַחֶיךָ אֵיפַת הַקָּלִיא הַזֶּה וַעֲשָׂרָה לֶחֶם הַזֶּה וְהָרֵץ הַמַּחֲנֶה לְאַחֶיךָ. (יח) וְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת חֲרִצֵי הֶחָלָב הָאֵלֶּה תָּבִיא לְשַׂר הָאָלֶף וְאֶת אַחֶיךָ תִּפְקֹד לְשָׁלוֹם וְאֶת עֲרֻבָּתָם תִּקָּח. (יט) וְשָׁאוּל וְהֵמָּה וְכׇל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֵמֶק הָאֵלָה נִלְחָמִים עִם פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (כ) וַיַּשְׁכֵּם דָּוִד בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּטֹּשׁ אֶת הַצֹּאן עַל שֹׁמֵר וַיִּשָּׂא וַיֵּלֶךְ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּהוּ יִשָׁי וַיָּבֹא הַמַּעְגָּלָה וְהַחַיִל הַיֹּצֵא אֶל הַמַּעֲרָכָה וְהֵרֵעוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה. (כא) וַתַּעֲרֹךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפְלִשְׁתִּים מַעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת מַעֲרָכָה. (כב) וַיִּטֹּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת הַכֵּלִים מֵעָלָיו עַל יַד שׁוֹמֵר הַכֵּלִים וַיָּרׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָה וַיָּבֹא וַיִּשְׁאַל לְאֶחָיו לְשָׁלוֹם. (כג) וְהוּא מְדַבֵּר עִמָּם וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם עוֹלֶה גׇּלְיָת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי שְׁמוֹ מִגַּת [מִמַּעַרְכוֹת] (ממערות) פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיְדַבֵּר כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּשְׁמַע דָּוִד. (כד) וְכֹל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּרְאוֹתָם אֶת הָאִישׁ וַיָּנֻסוּ מִפָּנָיו וַיִּירְאוּ מְאֹד. (כה) וַיֹּאמֶר אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַרְּאִיתֶם הָאִישׁ הָעֹלֶה הַזֶּה כִּי לְחָרֵף אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹלֶה וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּנּוּ יַעְשְׁרֶנּוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ עֹשֶׁר גָּדוֹל וְאֶת בִּתּוֹ יִתֶּן לוֹ וְאֵת בֵּית אָבִיו יַעֲשֶׂה חׇפְשִׁי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. (כו) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל הָאֲנָשִׁים הָעֹמְדִים עִמּוֹ לֵאמֹר מַה יֵּעָשֶׂה לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּה אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַלָּז וְהֵסִיר חֶרְפָּה מֵעַל יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי מִי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֶעָרֵל הַזֶּה כִּי חֵרֵף מַעַרְכוֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים. (כז) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הָעָם כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לֵאמֹר כֹּה יֵעָשֶׂה לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּנּוּ. (כח) וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלִיאָב אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל בְּדַבְּרוֹ אֶל הָאֲנָשִׁים וַיִּחַר אַף אֱלִיאָב בְּדָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר לָמָּה זֶּה יָרַדְתָּ וְעַל מִי נָטַשְׁתָּ מְעַט הַצֹּאן הָהֵנָּה בַּמִּדְבָּר אֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת זְדֹנְךָ וְאֵת רֹעַ לְבָבֶךָ כִּי לְמַעַן רְאוֹת הַמִּלְחָמָה יָרָדְתָּ. (כט) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד מֶה עָשִׂיתִי עָתָּה הֲלוֹא דָּבָר הוּא. (ל) וַיִּסֹּב מֵאֶצְלוֹ אֶל מוּל אַחֵר וַיֹּאמֶר כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיְשִׁבֻהוּ הָעָם דָּבָר כַּדָּבָר הָרִאשׁוֹן. (לא) וַיִּשָּׁמְעוּ הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר דָּוִד וַיַּגִּדוּ לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ. (לב) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל אַל יִפֹּל לֵב אָדָם עָלָיו עַבְדְּךָ יֵלֵךְ וְנִלְחַם עִם הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּה. (לג) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דָּוִד לֹא תוּכַל לָלֶכֶת אֶל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּה לְהִלָּחֵם עִמּוֹ כִּי נַעַר אַתָּה וְהוּא אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה מִנְּעֻרָיו. (לד) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל רֹעֶה הָיָה עַבְדְּךָ לְאָבִיו בַּצֹּאן וּבָא הָאֲרִי וְאֶת הַדּוֹב וְנָשָׂא שֶׂה מֵהָעֵדֶר. (לה) וְיָצָאתִי אַחֲרָיו וְהִכִּתִיו וְהִצַּלְתִּי מִפִּיו וַיָּקׇם עָלַי וְהֶחֱזַקְתִּי בִּזְקָנוֹ וְהִכִּתִיו וַהֲמִיתִּיו. (לו) גַּם אֶת הָאֲרִי גַּם הַדֹּב הִכָּה עַבְדֶּךָ וְהָיָה הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֶעָרֵל הַזֶּה כְּאַחַד מֵהֶם כִּי חֵרֵף מַעַרְכֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים. (לז) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד י״י אֲשֶׁר הִצִּלַנִי מִיַּד הָאֲרִי וּמִיַּד הַדֹּב הוּא יַצִּילֵנִי מִיַּד הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דָּוִד לֵךְ וַי״י יִהְיֶה עִמָּךְ. (לח) וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל אֶת דָּוִד מַדָּיו וְנָתַן קוֹבַע נְחֹשֶׁת עַל רֹאשׁוֹ וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ שִׁרְיוֹן. (לט) וַיַּחְגֹּר דָּוִד אֶת חַרְבּוֹ מֵעַל לְמַדָּיו וַיֹּאֶל לָלֶכֶת כִּי לֹא נִסָּה וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל לֹא אוּכַל לָלֶכֶת בָּאֵלֶּה כִּי לֹא נִסִּיתִי וַיְסִרֵם דָּוִד מֵעָלָיו. (מ) וַיִּקַּח מַקְלוֹ בְּיָדוֹ וַיִּבְחַר לוֹ חֲמִשָּׁה חַלֻּקֵי אֲבָנִים מִן הַנַּחַל וַיָּשֶׂם אֹתָם בִּכְלִי הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לוֹ וּבַיַּלְקוּט וְקַלְעוֹ בְיָדוֹ וַיִּגַּשׁ אֶל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי. (מא) וַיֵּלֶךְ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֹלֵךְ וְקָרֵב אֶל דָּוִד וְהָאִישׁ נֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה לְפָנָיו. (מב) וַיַּבֵּט הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּרְאֶה אֶת דָּוִד וַיִּבְזֵהוּ כִּי הָיָה נַעַר וְאַדְמֹנִי עִם יְפֵה מַרְאֶה. (מג) וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל דָּוִד הֲכֶלֶב אָנֹכִי כִּי אַתָּה בָא אֵלַי בַּמַּקְלוֹת וַיְקַלֵּל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶת דָּוִד בֵּאלֹהָיו. (מד) וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל דָּוִד לְכָה אֵלַי וְאֶתְּנָה אֶת בְּשָׂרְךָ לְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְבֶהֱמַת הַשָּׂדֶה. (מה) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אַתָּה בָּא אֵלַי בְּחֶרֶב וּבַחֲנִית וּבְכִידוֹן וְאָנֹכִי בָא אֵלֶיךָ בְּשֵׁם י״י צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי מַעַרְכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר חֵרַפְתָּ. (מו) הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְסַגֶּרְךָ י״י בְּיָדִי וְהִכִּיתִךָ וַהֲסִרֹתִי אֶת רֹאשְׁךָ מֵעָלֶיךָ וְנָתַתִּי פֶּגֶר מַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְחַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וְיֵדְעוּ כׇּל הָאָרֶץ כִּי יֵשׁ אֱלֹהִים לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. (מז) וְיֵדְעוּ כׇּל הַקָּהָל הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא בְּחֶרֶב וּבַחֲנִית יְהוֹשִׁיעַ י״י כִּי לַי״י הַמִּלְחָמָה וְנָתַן אֶתְכֶם בְּיָדֵנוּ. (מח) וְהָיָה כִּי קָם הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּקְרַב לִקְרַאת דָּוִד וַיְמַהֵר דָּוִד וַיָּרׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי. (מט) וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד אֶת יָדוֹ אֶל הַכֶּלִי וַיִּקַּח מִשָּׁם אֶבֶן וַיְקַלַּע וַיַּךְ אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל מִצְחוֹ וַתִּטְבַּע הָאֶבֶן בְּמִצְחוֹ וַיִּפֹּל עַל פָּנָיו אָרְצָה. (נ) וַיֶּחֱזַק דָּוִד מִן הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי בַּקֶּלַע וּבָאֶבֶן וַיַּךְ אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיְמִתֵהוּ וְחֶרֶב אֵין בְּיַד דָּוִד. (נא) וַיָּרׇץ דָּוִד וַיַּעֲמֹד אֶל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּקַּח אֶת חַרְבּוֹ וַיִּשְׁלְפָהּ מִתַּעְרָהּ וַיְמֹתְתֵהוּ וַיִּכְרׇת בָּהּ אֶת רֹאשׁוֹ וַיִּרְאוּ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים כִּי מֵת גִּבּוֹרָם וַיָּנֻסוּ. (נב) וַיָּקֻמוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה וַיָּרִעוּ וַיִּרְדְּפוּ אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים עַד בּוֹאֲךָ גַיְא וְעַד שַׁעֲרֵי עֶקְרוֹן וַיִּפְּלוּ חַלְלֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים בְּדֶרֶךְ שַׁעֲרַיִם וְעַד גַּת וְעַד עֶקְרוֹן. (נג) וַיָּשֻׁבוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִדְּלֹק אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיָּשֹׁסּוּ אֶת מַחֲנֵיהֶם. (נד) וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד אֶת רֹאשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיְבִאֵהוּ יְרוּשָׁלָ͏ִם וְאֶת כֵּלָיו שָׂם בְּאׇהֳלוֹ. (נה) וְכִרְאוֹת שָׁאוּל אֶת דָּוִד יֹצֵא לִקְרַאת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אָמַר אֶל אַבְנֵר שַׂר הַצָּבָא בֶּן מִי זֶה הַנַּעַר אַבְנֵר וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְנֵר חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ אִם יָדָעְתִּי. (נו) וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁאַל אַתָּה בֶּן מִי זֶה הָעָלֶם. (נז) וּכְשׁוּב דָּוִד מֵהַכּוֹת אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּקַּח אֹתוֹ אַבְנֵר וַיְבִאֵהוּ לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וְרֹאשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי בְּיָדוֹ. (נח) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו שָׁאוּל בֶּן מִי אַתָּה הַנָּעַר וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד בֶּן עַבְדְּךָ יִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי.

פרק יח

(א) וַיְהִי כְּכַלֹּתוֹ לְדַבֵּר אֶל שָׁאוּל וְנֶפֶשׁ יְהוֹנָתָן נִקְשְׁרָה בְּנֶפֶשׁ דָּוִד [וַיֶּאֱהָבֵהוּ] (ויאהבו) יְהוֹנָתָן כְּנַפְשׁוֹ. (ב) וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וְלֹא נְתָנוֹ לָשׁוּב בֵּית אָבִיו. (ג) וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹנָתָן וְדָוִד בְּרִית בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אֹתוֹ כְּנַפְשׁוֹ. (ד) וַיִּתְפַּשֵּׁט יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת הַמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו וַיִּתְּנֵהוּ לְדָוִד וּמַדָּיו וְעַד חַרְבּוֹ וְעַד קַשְׁתּוֹ וְעַד חֲגֹרוֹ. (ה) וַיֵּצֵא דָוִד בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁלָחֶנּוּ שָׁאוּל יַשְׂכִּיל וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ שָׁאוּל עַל אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינֵי כׇל הָעָם וְגַם בְּעֵינֵי עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל. (ו) וַיְהִי בְּבוֹאָם בְּשׁוּב דָּוִד מֵהַכּוֹת אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַתֵּצֶאנָה הַנָּשִׁים מִכׇּל עָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל [לָשִׁיר] (לשור) וְהַמְּחֹלוֹת לִקְרַאת שָׁאוּל הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּתֻפִּים בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׁלִשִׁים. (ז) וַתַּעֲנֶינָה הַנָּשִׁים הַמְשַׂחֲקוֹת וַתֹּאמַרְןָ הִכָּה שָׁאוּל בַּאֲלָפָו וְדָוִד בְּרִבְבֹתָיו. (ח) וַיִּחַר לְשָׁאוּל מְאֹד וַיֵּרַע בְּעֵינָיו הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר נָתְנוּ לְדָוִד רְבָבוֹת וְלִי נָתְנוּ הָאֲלָפִים וְעוֹד לוֹ אַךְ הַמְּלוּכָה. (ט) וַיְהִי שָׁאוּל [עוֹיֵן] (עון) אֶת דָּוִד מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָהָלְאָה. (י) וַיְהִי מִמׇּחֳרָת וַתִּצְלַח רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים רָעָה אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיִּתְנַבֵּא בְתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת וְדָוִד מְנַגֵּן בְּיָדוֹ כְּיוֹם בְּיוֹם וְהַחֲנִית בְּיַד שָׁאוּל. (יא) וַיָּטֶל שָׁאוּל אֶת הַחֲנִית וַיֹּאמֶר אַכֶּה בְדָוִד וּבַקִּיר וַיִּסֹּב דָּוִד מִפָּנָיו פַּעֲמָיִם. (יב) וַיִּרָא שָׁאוּל מִלִּפְנֵי דָוִד כִּי הָיָה י״י עִמּוֹ וּמֵעִם שָׁאוּל סָר. (יג) וַיְסִרֵהוּ שָׁאוּל מֵעִמּוֹ וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ לוֹ שַׂר אָלֶף וַיֵּצֵא וַיָּבֹא לִפְנֵי הָעָם. (יד) וַיְהִי דָוִד לְכׇל דְּרָכָו מַשְׂכִּיל וַי״י עִמּוֹ. (טו) וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל אֲשֶׁר הוּא מַשְׂכִּיל מְאֹד וַיָּגׇר מִפָּנָיו. (טז) וְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה אֹהֵב אֶת דָּוִד כִּי הוּא יוֹצֵא וָבָא לִפְנֵיהֶם. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דָּוִד הִנֵּה בִתִּי הַגְּדוֹלָה מֵרַב אֹתָהּ אֶתֶּן לְךָ לְאִשָּׁה אַךְ הֱיֵה לִי לְבֶן חַיִל וְהִלָּחֵם מִלְחֲמוֹת י״י וְשָׁאוּל אָמַר אַל תְּהִי יָדִי בּוֹ וּתְהִי בוֹ יַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל מִי אָנֹכִי וּמִי חַיַּי מִשְׁפַּחַת אָבִי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי אֶהְיֶה חָתָן לַמֶּלֶךְ. (יט) וַיְהִי בְּעֵת תֵּת אֶת מֵרַב בַּת שָׁאוּל לְדָוִד וְהִיא נִתְּנָה לְעַדְרִיאֵל הַמְּחֹלָתִי לְאִשָּׁה. (כ) וַתֶּאֱהַב מִיכַל בַּת שָׁאוּל אֶת דָּוִד וַיַּגִּדוּ לְשָׁאוּל וַיִּשַׁר הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינָיו. (כא) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶתְּנֶנָּה לּוֹ וּתְהִי לוֹ לְמוֹקֵשׁ וּתְהִי בוֹ יַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דָּוִד בִּשְׁתַּיִם תִּתְחַתֵּן בִּי הַיּוֹם. (כב) וַיְצַו שָׁאוּל אֶת עֲבָדָו דַּבְּרוּ אֶל דָּוִד בַּלָּט לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה חָפֵץ בְּךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ וְכׇל עֲבָדָיו אֲהֵבוּךָ וְעַתָּה הִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ. (כג) וַיְדַבְּרוּ עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל בְּאׇזְנֵי דָוִד אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד הַנְקַלָּה בְעֵינֵיכֶם הִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וְאָנֹכִי אִישׁ רָשׁ וְנִקְלֶה. (כד) וַיַּגִּדוּ עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל לוֹ לֵאמֹר כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה דִּבֶּר דָּוִד. (כה) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל כֹּה תֹאמְרוּ לְדָוִד אֵין חֵפֶץ לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּמֹהַר כִּי בְּמֵאָה עׇרְלוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים לְהִנָּקֵם בְּאֹיְבֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ וְשָׁאוּל חָשַׁב לְהַפִּיל אֶת דָּוִד בְּיַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (כו) וַיַּגִּדוּ עֲבָדָיו לְדָוִד אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּשַׁר הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי דָוִד לְהִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וְלֹא מָלְאוּ הַיָּמִים. (כז) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיֵּלֶךְ הוּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו וַיַּךְ בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים מָאתַיִם אִישׁ וַיָּבֵא דָוִד אֶת עׇרְלֹתֵיהֶם וַיְמַלְאוּם לַמֶּלֶךְ לְהִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וַיִּתֶּן לוֹ שָׁאוּל אֶת מִיכַל בִּתּוֹ לְאִשָּׁה. (כח) וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל וַיֵּדַע כִּי י״י עִם דָּוִד וּמִיכַל בַּת שָׁאוּל אֲהֵבַתְהוּ. (כט) וַיֹּאסֶף שָׁאוּל לֵרֹא מִפְּנֵי דָוִד עוֹד וַיְהִי שָׁאוּל אֹיֵב אֶת דָּוִד כׇּל הַיָּמִים. (ל) וַיֵּצְאוּ שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיְהִי מִדֵּי צֵאתָם שָׂכַל דָּוִד מִכֹּל עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל וַיִּיקַר שְׁמוֹ מְאֹד.

פרק יט

(א) וַיְדַבֵּר שָׁאוּל אֶל יוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וְאֶל כׇּל עֲבָדָיו לְהָמִית אֶת דָּוִד וִיהוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל חָפֵץ בְּדָוִד מְאֹד. (ב) וַיַּגֵּד יְהוֹנָתָן לְדָוִד לֵאמֹר מְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל אָבִי לַהֲמִיתֶךָ וְעַתָּה הִשָּׁמֶר נָא בַבֹּקֶר וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בַסֵּתֶר וְנַחְבֵּאתָ. (ג) וַאֲנִי אֵצֵא וְעָמַדְתִּי לְיַד אָבִי בַּשָּׂדֶה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שָׁם וַאֲנִי אֲדַבֵּר בְּךָ אֶל אָבִי וְרָאִיתִי מָה וְהִגַּדְתִּי לָךְ. (ד) וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוֹנָתָן בְּדָוִד טוֹב אֶל שָׁאוּל אָבִיו וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אַל יֶחֱטָא הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּעַבְדּוֹ בְדָוִד כִּי לוֹא חָטָא לָךְ וְכִי מַעֲשָׂיו טוֹב לְךָ מְאֹד. (ה) וַיָּשֶׂם אֶת נַפְשׁוֹ בְכַפּוֹ וַיַּךְ אֶת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיַּעַשׂ י״י תְּשׁוּעָה גְדוֹלָה לְכׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל רָאִיתָ וַתִּשְׂמָח וְלָמָּה תֶחֱטָא בְּדָם נָקִי לְהָמִית אֶת דָּוִד חִנָּם. (ו) וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל בְּקוֹל יְהוֹנָתָן וַיִּשָּׁבַע שָׁאוּל חַי י״י אִם יוּמָת. (ז) וַיִּקְרָא יְהוֹנָתָן לְדָוִד וַיַּגֶּד לוֹ יְהוֹנָתָן אֵת כׇּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיָּבֵא יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת דָּוִד אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיְהִי לְפָנָיו כְּאֶתְמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם. (ח) וַתּוֹסֶף הַמִּלְחָמָה לִהְיוֹת וַיֵּצֵא דָוִד וַיִּלָּחֶם בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּךְ בָּהֶם מַכָּה גְדוֹלָה וַיָּנֻסוּ מִפָּנָיו. (ט) וַתְּהִי רוּחַ י״י רָעָה אֶל שָׁאוּל וְהוּא בְּבֵיתוֹ יֹשֵׁב וַחֲנִיתוֹ בְּיָדוֹ וְדָוִד מְנַגֵּן בְּיָד. (י) וַיְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל לְהַכּוֹת בַּחֲנִית בְּדָוִד וּבַקִּיר וַיִּפְטַר מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל וַיַּךְ אֶת הַחֲנִית בַּקִּיר וְדָוִד נָס וַיִּמָּלֵט בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא. (יא) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל מַלְאָכִים אֶל בֵּית דָּוִד לְשׇׁמְרוֹ וְלַהֲמִיתוֹ בַּבֹּקֶר וַתַּגֵּד לְדָוִד מִיכַל אִשְׁתּוֹ לֵאמֹר אִם אֵינְךָ מְמַלֵּט אֶת נַפְשְׁךָ הַלַּיְלָה מָחָר אַתָּה מוּמָת. (יב) וַתֹּרֶד מִיכַל אֶת דָּוִד בְּעַד הַחַלּוֹן וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּבְרַח וַיִּמָּלֵט. (יג) וַתִּקַּח מִיכַל אֶת הַתְּרָפִים וַתָּשֶׂם אֶל הַמִּטָּה וְאֵת כְּבִיר הָעִזִּים שָׂמָה מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו וַתְּכַס בַּבָּגֶד. (יד) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל מַלְאָכִים לָקַחַת אֶת דָּוִד וַתֹּאמֶר חֹלֶה הוּא. (טו) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל אֶת הַמַּלְאָכִים לִרְאוֹת אֶת דָּוִד לֵאמֹר הַעֲלוּ אֹתוֹ בַמִּטָּה אֵלַי לַהֲמִתוֹ. (טז) וַיָּבֹאוּ הַמַּלְאָכִים וְהִנֵּה הַתְּרָפִים אֶל הַמִּטָּה וּכְבִיר הָעִזִּים מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל מִיכַל לָמָּה כָּכָה רִמִּיתִנִי וַתְּשַׁלְּחִי אֶת אֹיְבִי וַיִּמָּלֵט וַתֹּאמֶר מִיכַל אֶל שָׁאוּל הוּא אָמַר אֵלַי שַׁלְּחִנִי לָמָה אֲמִיתֵךְ. (יח) וְדָוִד בָּרַח וַיִּמָּלֵט וַיָּבֹא אֶל שְׁמוּאֵל הָרָמָתָה וַיַּגֶּד לוֹ אֵת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לוֹ שָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ הוּא וּשְׁמוּאֵל וַיֵּשְׁבוּ [בְּנָיוֹת] (בנוית). (יט) וַיֻּגַּד לְשָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד [בְּנָיוֹת] (בנוית) בָּרָמָה. (כ) וַיִּשְׁלַח שָׁאוּל מַלְאָכִים לָקַחַת אֶת דָּוִד וַיַּרְא אֶת לַהֲקַת הַנְּבִיאִים נִבְּאִים וּשְׁמוּאֵל עֹמֵד נִצָּב עֲלֵיהֶם וַתְּהִי עַל מַלְאֲכֵי שָׁאוּל רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ גַּם הֵמָּה. (כא) וַיַּגִּדוּ לְשָׁאוּל וַיִּשְׁלַח מַלְאָכִים אֲחֵרִים וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ גַּם הֵמָּה וַיֹּסֶף שָׁאוּל וַיִּשְׁלַח מַלְאָכִים שְׁלִשִׁים וַיִּתְנַבְּאוּ גַּם הֵמָּה. (כב) וַיֵּלֶךְ גַּם הוּא הָרָמָתָה וַיָּבֹא עַד בּוֹר הַגָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר בַּשֶּׂכוּ וַיִּשְׁאַל וַיֹּאמֶר אֵיפֹה שְׁמוּאֵל וְדָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה [בְּנָיוֹת] (בנוית) בָּרָמָה. (כג) וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁם אֶל [נָיוֹת] (נוית) בָּרָמָה וַתְּהִי עָלָיו גַּם הוּא רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים וַיֵּלֶךְ הָלוֹךְ וַיִּתְנַבֵּא עַד בֹּאוֹ [בְּנָיוֹת] (בנוית) בָּרָמָה. (כד) וַיִּפְשַׁט גַּם הוּא בְּגָדָיו וַיִּתְנַבֵּא גַם הוּא לִפְנֵי שְׁמוּאֵל וַיִּפֹּל עָרֹם כׇּל הַיּוֹם הַהוּא וְכׇל הַלָּיְלָה עַל כֵּן יֹאמְרוּ הֲגַם שָׁאוּל בַּנְּבִיאִם.

פרק כ

(א) וַיִּבְרַח דָּוִד [מִנָּיוֹת] (מנוות) בָּרָמָה וַיָּבֹא וַיֹּאמֶר לִפְנֵי יְהוֹנָתָן מֶה עָשִׂיתִי מֶה עֲוֺנִי וּמֶה חַטָּאתִי לִפְנֵי אָבִיךָ כִּי מְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת נַפְשִׁי. (ב) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ חָלִילָה לֹא תָמוּת הִנֵּה [לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה] (לו עשה) אָבִי דָּבָר גָּדוֹל אוֹ דָּבָר קָטֹן וְלֹא יִגְלֶה אֶת אׇזְנִי וּמַדּוּעַ יַסְתִּיר אָבִי מִמֶּנִּי אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֵין זֹאת. (ג) וַיִּשָּׁבַע עוֹד דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר יָדֹעַ יָדַע אָבִיךָ כִּי מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ וַיֹּאמֶר אַל יֵדַע זֹאת יְהוֹנָתָן פֶּן יֵעָצֵב וְאוּלָם חַי י״י וְחֵי נַפְשֶׁךָ כִּי כְפֶשַׂע בֵּינִי וּבֵין הַמָּוֶת. (ד) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן אֶל דָּוִד מַה תֹּאמַר נַפְשְׁךָ וְאֶעֱשֶׂה לָּךְ. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל יְהוֹנָתָן הִנֵּה חֹדֶשׁ מָחָר וְאָנֹכִי יָשֹׁב אֵשֵׁב עִם הַמֶּלֶךְ לֶאֱכוֹל וְשִׁלַּחְתַּנִי וְנִסְתַּרְתִּי בַשָּׂדֶה עַד הָעֶרֶב הַשְּׁלִשִׁית. (ו) אִם פָּקֹד יִפְקְדֵנִי אָבִיךָ וְאָמַרְתָּ נִשְׁאֹל נִשְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי דָוִד לָרוּץ בֵּית לֶחֶם עִירוֹ כִּי זֶבַח הַיָּמִים שָׁם לְכׇל הַמִּשְׁפָּחָה. (ז) אִם כֹּה יֹאמַר טוֹב שָׁלוֹם לְעַבְדֶּךָ וְאִם חָרֹה יֶחֱרֶה לוֹ דַּע כִּי כָלְתָה הָרָעָה מֵעִמּוֹ. (ח) וְעָשִׂיתָ חֶסֶד עַל עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי בִּבְרִית י״י הֵבֵאתָ אֶת עַבְדְּךָ עִמָּךְ וְאִם יֶשׁ בִּי עָוֺן הֲמִיתֵנִי אַתָּה וְעַד אָבִיךָ לָמָּה זֶּה תְבִיאֵנִי. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן חָלִילָה לָּךְ כִּי אִם יָדֹעַ אֵדַע כִּי כָלְתָה הָרָעָה מֵעִם אָבִי לָבוֹא עָלֶיךָ וְלֹא אֹתָהּ אַגִּיד לָךְ. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל יְהוֹנָתָן מִי יַגִּיד לִי אוֹ מַה יַּעַנְךָ אָבִיךָ קָשָׁה. (יא) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן אֶל דָּוִד לְכָה וְנֵצֵא הַשָּׂדֶה וַיֵּצְאוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם הַשָּׂדֶה. (יב) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן אֶל דָּוִד י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי אֶחְקֹר אֶת אָבִי כָּעֵת מָחָר הַשְּׁלִשִׁית וְהִנֵּה טוֹב אֶל דָּוִד וְלֹא אָז אֶשְׁלַח אֵלֶיךָ וְגָלִיתִי אֶת אׇזְנֶךָ. (יג) כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה י״י לִיהוֹנָתָן וְכֹה יֹסִיף כִּי יֵיטִב אֶל אָבִי אֶת הָרָעָה עָלֶיךָ וְגָלִיתִי אֶת אׇזְנֶךָ וְשִׁלַּחְתִּיךָ וְהָלַכְתָּ לְשָׁלוֹם וִיהִי י״י עִמָּךְ כַּאֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם אָבִי. (יד) וְלֹא אִם עוֹדֶנִּי חָי וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה עִמָּדִי חֶסֶד י״י וְלֹא אָמוּת. (טו) וְלֹא תַכְרִית אֶת חַסְדְּךָ מֵעִם בֵּיתִי עַד עוֹלָם וְלֹא בְּהַכְרִת י״י אֶת אֹיְבֵי דָוִד אִישׁ מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה. (טז) וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹנָתָן עִם בֵּית דָּוִד וּבִקֵּשׁ י״י מִיַּד אֹיְבֵי דָוִד. (יז) וַיּוֹסֶף יְהוֹנָתָן לְהַשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת דָּוִד בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אֹתוֹ כִּי אַהֲבַת נַפְשׁוֹ אֲהֵבוֹ. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ יְהוֹנָתָן מָחָר חֹדֶשׁ וְנִפְקַדְתָּ כִּי יִפָּקֵד מוֹשָׁבֶךָ. (יט) וְשִׁלַּשְׁתָּ תֵּרֵד מְאֹד וּבָאתָ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר נִסְתַּרְתָּ שָּׁם בְּיוֹם הַמַּעֲשֶׂה וְיָשַׁבְתָּ אֵצֶל הָאֶבֶן הָאָזֶל. (כ) וַאֲנִי שְׁלֹשֶׁת הַחִצִּים צִדָּה אוֹרֶה לְשַׁלַּח לִי לְמַטָּרָה. (כא) וְהִנֵּה אֶשְׁלַח אֶת הַנַּעַר לֵךְ מְצָא אֶת הַחִצִּים אִם אָמֹר אֹמַר לַנַּעַר הִנֵּה הַחִצִּים מִמְּךָ וָהֵנָּה קָחֶנּוּ וָבֹאָה כִּי שָׁלוֹם לְךָ וְאֵין דָּבָר חַי י״י. (כב) וְאִם כֹּה אֹמַר לָעֶלֶם הִנֵּה הַחִצִּים מִמְּךָ וָהָלְאָה לֵךְ כִּי שִׁלַּחֲךָ י״י. (כג) וְהַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְנוּ אֲנִי וָאָתָּה הִנֵּה י״י בֵּינִי וּבֵינְךָ עַד עוֹלָם. (כד) וַיִּסָּתֵר דָּוִד בַּשָּׂדֶה וַיְהִי הַחֹדֶשׁ וַיֵּשֶׁב הַמֶּלֶךְ (על) [אֶל] הַלֶּחֶם לֶאֱכוֹל. (כה) וַיֵּשֶׁב הַמֶּלֶךְ עַל מוֹשָׁבוֹ כְּפַעַם בְּפַעַם אֶל מוֹשַׁב הַקִּיר וַיָּקׇם יְהוֹנָתָן וַיֵּשֶׁב אַבְנֵר מִצַּד שָׁאוּל וַיִּפָּקֵד מְקוֹם דָּוִד. (כו) וְלֹא דִבֶּר שָׁאוּל מְאוּמָה בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כִּי אָמַר מִקְרֶה הוּא בִּלְתִּי טָהוֹר הוּא כִּי לֹא טָהוֹר. (כז) וַיְהִי מִמׇּחֳרַת הַחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי וַיִּפָּקֵד מְקוֹם דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל יְהוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ מַדּוּעַ לֹא בָא בֶן יִשַׁי גַּם תְּמוֹל גַּם הַיּוֹם אֶל הַלָּחֶם. (כח) וַיַּעַן יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת שָׁאוּל נִשְׁאֹל נִשְׁאַל דָּוִד מֵעִמָּדִי עַד בֵּית לָחֶם. (כט) וַיֹּאמֶר שַׁלְּחֵנִי נָא כִּי זֶבַח מִשְׁפָּחָה לָנוּ בָּעִיר וְהוּא צִוָּה לִי אָחִי וְעַתָּה אִם מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ אִמָּלְטָה נָּא וְאֶרְאֶה אֶת אֶחָי עַל כֵּן לֹא בָא אֶל שֻׁלְחַן הַמֶּלֶךְ. (ל) וַיִּחַר אַף שָׁאוּל בִּיהוֹנָתָן וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ בֶּן נַעֲוַת הַמַּרְדּוּת הֲלוֹא יָדַעְתִּי כִּי בֹחֵר אַתָּה לְבֶן יִשַׁי לְבׇשְׁתְּךָ וּלְבֹשֶׁת עֶרְוַת אִמֶּךָ. (לא) כִּי כׇל הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר בֶּן יִשַׁי חַי עַל הָאֲדָמָה לֹא תִכּוֹן אַתָּה וּמַלְכוּתֶךָ וְעַתָּה שְׁלַח וְקַח אֹתוֹ אֵלַי כִּי בֶן מָוֶת הוּא. (לב) וַיַּעַן יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת שָׁאוּל אָבִיו וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו לָמָּה יוּמַת מֶה עָשָׂה. (לג) וַיָּטֶל שָׁאוּל אֶת הַחֲנִית עָלָיו לְהַכֹּתוֹ וַיֵּדַע יְהוֹנָתָן כִּי כָלָה הִיא מֵעִם אָבִיו לְהָמִית אֶת דָּוִד. (לד) וַיָּקׇם יְהוֹנָתָן מֵעִם הַשֻּׁלְחָן בׇּחֳרִי אָף וְלֹא אָכַל בְּיוֹם הַחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי לֶחֶם כִּי נֶעְצַב אֶל דָּוִד כִּי הִכְלִמוֹ אָבִיו. (לה) וַיְהִי בַבֹּקֶר וַיֵּצֵא יְהוֹנָתָן הַשָּׂדֶה לְמוֹעֵד דָּוִד וְנַעַר קָטֹן עִמּוֹ. (לו) וַיֹּאמֶר לְנַעֲרוֹ רֻץ מְצָא נָא אֶת הַחִצִּים אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מוֹרֶה הַנַּעַר רָץ וְהוּא יָרָה הַחֵצִי לְהַעֲבִרוֹ. (לז) וַיָּבֹא הַנַּעַר עַד מְקוֹם הַחֵצִי אֲשֶׁר יָרָה יְהוֹנָתָן וַיִּקְרָא יְהוֹנָתָן אַחֲרֵי הַנַּעַר וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא הַחֵצִי מִמְּךָ וָהָלְאָה. (לח) וַיִּקְרָא יְהוֹנָתָן אַחֲרֵי הַנַּעַר מְהֵרָה חוּשָׁה אַל תַּעֲמֹד וַיְלַקֵּט נַעַר יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת [הַחִצִּים] (החצי) וַיָּבֹא אֶל אֲדֹנָיו. (לט) וְהַנַּעַר לֹא יָדַע מְאוּמָה אַךְ יְהוֹנָתָן וְדָוִד יָדְעוּ אֶת הַדָּבָר. (מ) וַיִּתֵּן יְהוֹנָתָן אֶת כֵּלָיו אֶל הַנַּעַר אֲשֶׁר לוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ לֵךְ הָבֵיא הָעִיר. (מא) הַנַּעַר בָּא וְדָוִד קָם מֵאֵצֶל הַנֶּגֶב וַיִּפֹּל לְאַפָּיו אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים וַיִּשְּׁקוּ אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ וַיִּבְכּוּ אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ עַד דָּוִד הִגְדִּיל. (מב) וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוֹנָתָן לְדָוִד לֵךְ לְשָׁלוֹם אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְנוּ שְׁנֵינוּ אֲנַחְנוּ בְּשֵׁם י״י לֵאמֹר י״י יִהְיֶה בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּבֵין זַרְעִי וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ עַד עוֹלָם.

פרק כא

(א) וַיָּקׇם וַיֵּלַךְ וִיהוֹנָתָן בָּא הָעִיר. (ב) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד נֹבֶה אֶל אֲחִימֶלֶךְ הַכֹּהֵן וַיֶּחֱרַד אֲחִימֶלֶךְ לִקְרַאת דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ מַדּוּעַ אַתָּה לְבַדֶּךָ וְאִישׁ אֵין אִתָּךְ. (ג) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ הַכֹּהֵן הַמֶּלֶךְ צִוַּנִי דָבָר וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי אִישׁ אַל יֵדַע מְאוּמָה אֶת הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי שֹׁלֵחֲךָ וַאֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִךָ וְאֶת הַנְּעָרִים יוֹדַעְתִּי אֶל מְקוֹם פְּלֹנִי אַלְמוֹנִי. (ד) וְעַתָּה מַה יֵּשׁ תַּחַת יָדְךָ חֲמִשָּׁה לֶחֶם תְּנָה בְיָדִי אוֹ הַנִּמְצָא. (ה) וַיַּעַן הַכֹּהֵן אֶת דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר אֵין לֶחֶם חֹל אֶל תַּחַת יָדִי כִּי אִם לֶחֶם קֹדֶשׁ יֵשׁ אִם נִשְׁמְרוּ הַנְּעָרִים אַךְ מֵאִשָּׁה. (ו) וַיַּעַן דָּוִד אֶת הַכֹּהֵן וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ כִּי אִם אִשָּׁה עֲצֻרָה לָנוּ כִּתְמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם בְּצֵאתִי וַיִּהְיוּ כְלֵי הַנְּעָרִים קֹדֶשׁ וְהוּא דֶּרֶךְ חֹל וְאַף כִּי הַיּוֹם יִקְדַּשׁ בַּכֶּלִי. (ז) וַיִּתֶּן לוֹ הַכֹּהֵן קֹדֶשׁ כִּי לֹא הָיָה שָׁם לֶחֶם כִּי אִם לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים הַמּוּסָרִים מִלִּפְנֵי י״י לָשׂוּם לֶחֶם חֹם בְּיוֹם הִלָּקְחוֹ. (ח) וְשָׁם אִישׁ מֵעַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא נֶעְצָר לִפְנֵי י״י וּשְׁמוֹ דֹּאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי אַבִּיר הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ וְאִין יֶשׁ פֹּה תַחַת יָדְךָ חֲנִית אוֹ חָרֶב כִּי גַם חַרְבִּי וְגַם כֵּלַי לֹא לָקַחְתִּי בְיָדִי כִּי הָיָה דְבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ נָחוּץ. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר הַכֹּהֵן חֶרֶב גׇּלְיָת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֲשֶׁר הִכִּיתָ בְּעֵמֶק הָאֵלָה הִנֵּה הִיא לוּטָה בַשִּׂמְלָה אַחֲרֵי הָאֵפוֹד אִם אֹתָהּ תִּקַּח לְךָ קָח כִּי אֵין אַחֶרֶת זוּלָתָהּ בָּזֶה וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֵין כָּמוֹהָ תְּנֶנָּה לִּי. (יא) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיִּבְרַח בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל וַיָּבֹא אֶל אָכִישׁ מֶלֶךְ גַּת. (יב) וַיֹּאמְרוּ עַבְדֵי אָכִישׁ אֵלָיו הֲלוֹא זֶה דָוִד מֶלֶךְ הָאָרֶץ הֲלוֹא לָזֶה יַעֲנוּ בַמְּחֹלוֹת לֵאמֹר הִכָּה שָׁאוּל בַּאֲלָפָו וְדָוִד בְּרִבְבֹתָו. (יג) וַיָּשֶׂם דָּוִד אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה בִּלְבָבוֹ וַיִּרָא מְאֹד מִפְּנֵי אָכִישׁ מֶלֶךְ גַּת. (יד) וַיְשַׁנּוֹ אֶת טַעְמוֹ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם וַיִּתְהֹלֵל בְּיָדָם וַיְתָו עַל דַּלְתוֹת הַשַּׁעַר וַיּוֹרֶד רִירוֹ אֶל זְקָנוֹ. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ אֶל עֲבָדָיו הִנֵּה תִרְאוּ אִישׁ מִשְׁתַּגֵּעַ לָמָּה תָּבִיאוּ אֹתוֹ אֵלָי. (טז) חֲסַר מְשֻׁגָּעִים אָנִי כִּי הֲבֵאתֶם אֶת זֶה לְהִשְׁתַּגֵּעַ עָלָי הֲזֶה יָבוֹא אֶל בֵּיתִי.

פרק כב

(א) וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיִּמָּלֵט אֶל מְעָרַת עֲדֻלָּם וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶחָיו וְכׇל בֵּית אָבִיו וַיֵּרְדוּ אֵלָיו שָׁמָּה. (ב) וַיִּתְקַבְּצוּ אֵלָיו כׇּל אִישׁ מָצוֹק וְכׇל אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לוֹ נֹשֶׁא וְכׇל אִישׁ מַר נֶפֶשׁ וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר וַיִּהְיוּ עִמּוֹ כְּאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ. (ג) וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד מִשָּׁם מִצְפֵּה מוֹאָב וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב יֵצֵא נָא אָבִי וְאִמִּי אִתְּכֶם עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵדַע מַה יַּעֲשֶׂה לִּי אֱלֹהִים. (ד) וַיַּנְחֵם אֶת פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיֵּשְׁבוּ עִמּוֹ כׇּל יְמֵי הֱיוֹת דָּוִד בַּמְּצוּדָה. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר גָּד הַנָּבִיא אֶל דָּוִד לֹא תֵשֵׁב בַּמְּצוּדָה לֵךְ וּבָאתָ לְּךָ אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וַיָּבֹא יַעַר חָרֶת. (ו) וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל כִּי נוֹדַע דָּוִד וַאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וְשָׁאוּל יוֹשֵׁב בַּגִּבְעָה תַּחַת הָאֶשֶׁל בָּרָמָה וַחֲנִיתוֹ בְיָדוֹ וְכׇל עֲבָדָיו נִצָּבִים עָלָיו. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לַעֲבָדָיו הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו שִׁמְעוּ נָא בְּנֵי יְמִינִי גַּם לְכֻלְּכֶם יִתֵּן בֶּן יִשַׁי שָׂדוֹת וּכְרָמִים לְכֻלְּכֶם יָשִׂים שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי מֵאוֹת. (ח) כִּי קְשַׁרְתֶּם כֻּלְּכֶם עָלַי וְאֵין גֹּלֶה אֶת אׇזְנִי בִּכְרׇת בְּנִי עִם בֶּן יִשַׁי וְאֵין חֹלֶה מִכֶּם עָלַי וְגֹלֶה אֶת אׇזְנִי כִּי הֵקִים בְּנִי אֶת עַבְדִּי עָלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (ט) וַיַּעַן דֹּאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי וְהוּא נִצָּב עַל עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמַר רָאִיתִי אֶת בֶּן יִשַׁי בָּא נֹבֶה אֶל אֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן אֲחִטוּב. (י) וַיִּשְׁאַל לוֹ בַּי״י וְצֵידָה נָתַן לוֹ וְאֵת חֶרֶב גׇּלְיָת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי נָתַן לוֹ. (יא) וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ לִקְרֹא אֶת אֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן אֲחִיטוּב הַכֹּהֵן וְאֵת כׇּל בֵּית אָבִיו הַכֹּהֲנִים אֲשֶׁר בְּנֹב וַיָּבֹאוּ כֻלָּם אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ. (יב) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל שְׁמַע נָא בֶּן אֲחִיטוּב וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְנִי אֲדֹנִי. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָו שָׁאוּל לָמָּה קְשַׁרְתֶּם עָלַי אַתָּה וּבֶן יִשָׁי בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ לֶחֶם וְחֶרֶב וְשָׁאוֹל לוֹ בֵּאלֹהִים לָקוּם אֵלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (יד) וַיַּעַן אֲחִימֶלֶךְ אֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיֹּאמַר וּמִי בְכׇל עֲבָדֶיךָ כְּדָוִד נֶאֱמָן וַחֲתַן הַמֶּלֶךְ וְסָר אֶל מִשְׁמַעְתֶּךָ וְנִכְבָּד בְּבֵיתֶךָ. (טו) הַיּוֹם הַחִלֹּתִי (לשאול) [לִשְׁאׇל] לוֹ בֵאלֹהִים חָלִילָה לִּי אַל יָשֵׂם הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּעַבְדּוֹ דָבָר בְּכׇל בֵּית אָבִי כִּי לֹא יָדַע עַבְדְּךָ בְּכׇל זֹאת דָּבָר קָטֹן אוֹ גָדוֹל. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ מוֹת תָּמוּת אֲחִימֶלֶךְ אַתָּה וְכׇל בֵּית אָבִיךָ. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לָרָצִים הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו סֹבּוּ וְהָמִיתוּ כֹּהֲנֵי י״י כִּי גַם יָדָם עִם דָּוִד וְכִי יָדְעוּ כִּי בֹרֵחַ הוּא וְלֹא גָלוּ אֶת [אׇזְנִי] (אזנו) וְלֹא אָבוּ עַבְדֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ לִשְׁלֹחַ אֶת יָדָם לִפְגֹעַ בְּכֹהֲנֵי י״י. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ [לְדוֹאֵג] (לדויג) סֹב אַתָּה וּפְגַע בַּכֹּהֲנִים וַיִּסֹּב [דּוֹאֵג] (דויג) הָאֲדֹמִי וַיִּפְגַּע הוּא בַּכֹּהֲנִים וַיָּמֶת בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא שְׁמֹנִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אִישׁ נֹשֵׂא אֵפוֹד בָּד. (יט) וְאֵת נֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים הִכָּה לְפִי חֶרֶב מֵאִישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁה מֵעוֹלֵל וְעַד יוֹנֵק וְשׁוֹר וַחֲמוֹר וָשֶׂה לְפִי חָרֶב. (כ) וַיִּמָּלֵט בֵּן אֶחָד לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן אֲחִטוּב וּשְׁמוֹ אֶבְיָתָר וַיִּבְרַח אַחֲרֵי דָוִד. (כא) וַיַּגֵּד אֶבְיָתָר לְדָוִד כִּי הָרַג שָׁאוּל אֵת כֹּהֲנֵי י״י. (כב) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְאֶבְיָתָר יָדַעְתִּי בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כִּי שָׁם [דּוֹאֵג] (דויג) הָאֲדֹמִי כִּי הַגֵּד יַגִּיד לְשָׁאוּל אָנֹכִי סַבֹּתִי בְּכׇל נֶפֶשׁ בֵּית אָבִיךָ. (כג) שְׁבָה אִתִּי אַל תִּירָא כִּי אֲשֶׁר יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת נַפְשִׁי יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ כִּי מִשְׁמֶרֶת אַתָּה עִמָּדִי.

פרק כג

(א) וַיַּגִּדוּ לְדָוִד לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה פְלִשְׁתִּים נִלְחָמִים בִּקְעִילָה וְהֵמָּה שֹׁסִים אֶת הַגֳּרָנוֹת. (ב) וַיִּשְׁאַל דָּוִד בַּי״י לֵאמֹר הַאֵלֵךְ וְהִכֵּיתִי בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים הָאֵלֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר י״י אֶל דָּוִד לֵךְ וְהִכִּיתָ בַפְּלִשְׁתִּים וְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ אֶת קְעִילָה. (ג) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי דָוִד אֵלָיו הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ פֹה בִּיהוּדָה יְרֵאִים וְאַף כִּי נֵלֵךְ קְעִלָה אֶל מַעַרְכוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (ד) וַיּוֹסֶף עוֹד דָּוִד לִשְׁאוֹל בַּי״י וַיַּעֲנֵהוּ י״י וַיֹּאמֶר קוּם רֵד קְעִילָה כִּי אֲנִי נֹתֵן אֶת פְּלִשְׁתִּים בְּיָדֶךָ. (ה) וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁו קְעִילָה וַיִּלָּחֶם בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּנְהַג אֶת מִקְנֵיהֶם וַיַּךְ בָּהֶם מַכָּה גְדוֹלָה וַיֹּשַׁע דָּוִד אֵת יֹשְׁבֵי קְעִילָה. (ו) וַיְהִי בִּבְרֹחַ אֶבְיָתָר בֶּן אֲחִימֶלֶךְ אֶל דָּוִד קְעִילָה אֵפוֹד יָרַד בְּיָדוֹ. (ז) וַיֻּגַּד לְשָׁאוּל כִּי בָא דָוִד קְעִילָה וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל נִכַּר אֹתוֹ אֱלֹהִים בְּיָדִי כִּי נִסְגַּר לָבוֹא בְּעִיר דְּלָתַיִם וּבְרִיחַ. (ח) וַיְשַׁמַּע שָׁאוּל אֶת כׇּל הָעָם לַמִּלְחָמָה לָרֶדֶת קְעִילָה לָצוּר אֶל דָּוִד וְאֶל אֲנָשָׁיו. (ט) וַיֵּדַע דָּוִד כִּי עָלָיו שָׁאוּל מַחֲרִישׁ הָרָעָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל אֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן הַגִּישָׁה הָאֵפוֹד. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שָׁמֹעַ שָׁמַע עַבְדְּךָ כִּי מְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל לָבוֹא אֶל קְעִילָה לְשַׁחֵת לָעִיר בַּעֲבוּרִי. (יא) הֲיַסְגִּרֻנִי בַעֲלֵי קְעִילָה בְיָדוֹ הֲיֵרֵד שָׁאוּל כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַע עַבְדֶּךָ י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַגֶּד נָא לְעַבְדֶּךָ וַיֹּאמֶר י״י יֵרֵד. (יב) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד הֲיַסְגִּרוּ בַּעֲלֵי קְעִילָה אֹתִי וְאֶת אֲנָשַׁי בְּיַד שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר י״י יַסְגִּירוּ. (יג) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ וַיֵּצְאוּ מִקְּעִלָה וַיִּתְהַלְּכוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר יִתְהַלָּכוּ וּלְשָׁאוּל הֻגַּד כִּי נִמְלַט דָּוִד מִקְּעִילָה וַיֶּחְדַּל לָצֵאת. (יד) וַיֵּשֶׁב דָּוִד בַּמִּדְבָּר בַּמְּצָדוֹת וַיֵּשֶׁב בָּהָר בְּמִדְבַּר זִיף וַיְבַקְשֵׁהוּ שָׁאוּל כׇּל הַיָּמִים וְלֹא נְתָנוֹ אֱלֹהִים בְּיָדוֹ. (טו) וַיַּרְא דָּוִד כִּי יָצָא שָׁאוּל לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת נַפְשׁוֹ וְדָוִד בְּמִדְבַּר זִיף בַּחֹרְשָׁה. (טז) וַיָּקׇם יְהוֹנָתָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל דָּוִד חֹרְשָׁה וַיְחַזֵּק אֶת יָדוֹ בֵּאלֹהִים. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אַל תִּירָא כִּי לֹא תִמְצָאֲךָ יַד שָׁאוּל אָבִי וְאַתָּה תִּמְלֹךְ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָנֹכִי אֶהְיֶה לְּךָ לְמִשְׁנֶה וְגַם שָׁאוּל אָבִי יֹדֵעַ כֵּן. (יח) וַיִּכְרְתוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם בְּרִית לִפְנֵי י״י וַיֵּשֶׁב דָּוִד בַּחֹרְשָׁה וִיהוֹנָתָן הָלַךְ לְבֵיתוֹ. (יט) וַיַּעֲלוּ זִפִים אֶל שָׁאוּל הַגִּבְעָתָה לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא דָוִד מִסְתַּתֵּר עִמָּנוּ בַמְּצָדוֹת בַּחֹרְשָׁה בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה אֲשֶׁר מִימִין הַיְשִׁימוֹן. (כ) וְעַתָּה לְכׇל אַוַּת נַפְשְׁךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ לָרֶדֶת רֵד וְלָנוּ הַסְגִּירוֹ בְּיַד הַמֶּלֶךְ. (כא) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַי״י כִּי חֲמַלְתֶּם עָלָי. (כב) לְכוּ נָא הָכִינוּ עוֹד וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ אֲשֶׁר תִּהְיֶה רַגְלוֹ מִי רָאָהוּ שָׁם כִּי אָמַר אֵלַי עָרוֹם יַעְרִם הוּא. (כג) וּרְאוּ וּדְעוּ מִכֹּל הַמַּחֲבֹאִים אֲשֶׁר יִתְחַבֵּא שָׁם וְשַׁבְתֶּם אֵלַי אֶל נָכוֹן וְהָלַכְתִּי אִתְּכֶם וְהָיָה אִם יֶשְׁנוֹ בָאָרֶץ וְחִפַּשְׂתִּי אֹתוֹ בְּכֹל אַלְפֵי יְהוּדָה. (כד) וַיָּקוּמוּ וַיֵּלְכוּ זִיפָה לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו בְּמִדְבַּר מָעוֹן בָּעֲרָבָה אֶל יְמִין הַיְשִׁימוֹן. (כה) וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל וַאֲנָשָׁיו לְבַקֵּשׁ וַיַּגִּדוּ לְדָוִד וַיֵּרֶד הַסֶּלַע וַיֵּשֶׁב בְּמִדְבַּר מָעוֹן וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל וַיִּרְדֹּף אַחֲרֵי דָוִד מִדְבַּר מָעוֹן. (כו) וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל מִצַּד הָהָר מִזֶּה וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו מִצַּד הָהָר מִזֶּה וַיְהִי דָוִד נֶחְפָּז לָלֶכֶת מִפְּנֵי שָׁאוּל וְשָׁאוּל וַאֲנָשָׁיו עֹטְרִים אֶל דָּוִד וְאֶל אֲנָשָׁיו לְתׇפְשָׂם. (כז) וּמַלְאָךְ בָּא אֶל שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר מַהֲרָה וְלֵכָה כִּי פָשְׁטוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים עַל הָאָרֶץ. (כח) וַיָּשׇׁב שָׁאוּל מִרְדֹף אַחֲרֵי דָוִד וַיֵּלֶךְ לִקְרַאת פְּלִשְׁתִּים עַל כֵּן קָרְאוּ לַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת. (כט) וַיַּעַל דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיֵּשֶׁב בִּמְצָדוֹת עֵין גֶּדִי.

פרק כד

(א) וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁב שָׁאוּל מֵאַחֲרֵי פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּגִּדוּ לוֹ לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד בְּמִדְבַּר עֵין גֶּדִי. (ב) וַיִּקַּח שָׁאוּל שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ בָּחוּר מִכׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עַל פְּנֵי צוּרֵי הַיְּעֵלִים. (ג) וַיָּבֹא אֶל גִּדְרוֹת הַצֹּאן עַל הַדֶּרֶךְ וְשָׁם מְעָרָה וַיָּבֹא שָׁאוּל לְהָסֵךְ אֶת רַגְלָיו וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו בְּיַרְכְּתֵי הַמְּעָרָה יֹשְׁבִים. (ד) וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי דָוִד אֵלָיו הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר אָמַר י״י אֵלֶיךָ הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן אֶת [אֹיִבְךָ] (איביך) בְּיָדֶךָ וְעָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִטַב בְּעֵינֶיךָ וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיִּכְרֹת אֶת כְּנַף הַמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל בַּלָּט. (ה) וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי כֵן וַיַּךְ לֵב דָּוִד אֹתוֹ עַל אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת אֶת כָּנָף אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאוּל. (ו) וַיֹּאמֶר לַאֲנָשָׁיו חָלִילָה לִּי מֵי״י אִם אֶעֱשֶׂה אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לַאדֹנִי לִמְשִׁיחַ י״י לִשְׁלֹחַ יָדִי בּוֹ כִּי מְשִׁיחַ י״י הוּא. (ז) וַיְשַׁסַּע דָּוִד אֶת אֲנָשָׁיו בַּדְּבָרִים וְלֹא נְתָנָם לָקוּם אֶל שָׁאוּל וְשָׁאוּל קָם מֵהַמְּעָרָה וַיֵּלֶךְ בַּדָּרֶךְ. (ח) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד אַחֲרֵי כֵן וַיֵּצֵא [מֵהַמְּעָרָה] (מן המערה) וַיִּקְרָא אַחֲרֵי שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּבֵּט שָׁאוּל אַחֲרָיו וַיִּקֹּד דָּוִד אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל לָמָּה תִשְׁמַע אֶת דִּבְרֵי אָדָם לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתֶךָ. (י) הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר נְתָנְךָ י״י הַיּוֹם בְּיָדִי בַּמְּעָרָה וְאָמַר לַהֲרׇגְךָ וַתָּחׇס עָלֶיךָ וָאֹמַר לֹא אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי בַּאדֹנִי כִּי מְשִׁיחַ י״י הוּא. (יא) וְאָבִי רְאֵה גַּם רְאֵה אֶת כְּנַף מְעִילְךָ בְּיָדִי כִּי בְּכׇרְתִי אֶת כְּנַף מְעִילְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתִּיךָ דַּע וּרְאֵה כִּי אֵין בְּיָדִי רָעָה וָפֶשַׁע וְלֹא חָטָאתִי לָךְ וְאַתָּה צֹדֶה אֶת נַפְשִׁי לְקַחְתָּהּ. (יב) יִשְׁפֹּט י״י בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּנְקָמַנִי י״י מִמֶּךָּ וְיָדִי לֹא תִהְיֶה בָּךְ. (יג) כַּאֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר מְשַׁל הַקַּדְמֹנִי מֵרְשָׁעִים יֵצֵא רֶשַׁע וְיָדִי לֹא תִהְיֶה בָּךְ. (יד) אַחֲרֵי מִי יָצָא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי מִי אַתָּה רֹדֵף אַחֲרֵי כֶּלֶב מֵת אַחֲרֵי פַּרְעֹשׁ אֶחָד. (טו) וְהָיָה י״י לְדַיָּן וְשָׁפַט בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וְיֵרֶא וְיָרֵב אֶת רִיבִי וְיִשְׁפְּטֵנִי מִיָּדֶךָ. (טז) וַיְהִי כְּכַלּוֹת דָּוִד לְדַבֵּר אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הֲקֹלְךָ זֶה בְּנִי דָוִד וַיִּשָּׂא שָׁאוּל קֹלוֹ וַיֵּבְךְּ. (יז) וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל דָּוִד צַדִּיק אַתָּה מִמֶּנִּי כִּי אַתָּה גְּמַלְתַּנִי הַטּוֹבָה וַאֲנִי גְּמַלְתִּיךָ הָרָעָה. (יח) [וְאַתָּה] (ואת) הִגַּדְתָּ הַיּוֹם אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָה אִתִּי טוֹבָה אֵת אֲשֶׁר סִגְּרַנִי י״י בְּיָדְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתָּנִי. (יט) וְכִי יִמְצָא אִישׁ אֶת אֹיְבוֹ וְשִׁלְּחוֹ בְּדֶרֶךְ טוֹבָה וַי״י יְשַׁלֶּמְךָ טוֹבָה תַּחַת הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָה לִי. (כ) וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה יָדַעְתִּי כִּי מָלֹךְ תִּמְלוֹךְ וְקָמָה בְּיָדְךָ מַמְלֶכֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. (כא) וְעַתָּה הִשָּׁבְעָה לִּי בַּי״י אִם תַּכְרִית אֶת זַרְעִי אַחֲרָי וְאִם תַּשְׁמִיד אֶת שְׁמִי מִבֵּית אָבִי. (כב) וַיִּשָּׁבַע דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל אֶל בֵּיתוֹ וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עָלוּ עַל הַמְּצוּדָה.

פרק כה

(א) וַיָּמׇת שְׁמוּאֵל וַיִּקָּבְצוּ כׇל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּסְפְּדוּ לוֹ וַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ בְּבֵיתוֹ בָּרָמָה וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיֵּרֶד אֶל מִדְבַּר פָּארָן. (ב) וְאִישׁ בְּמָעוֹן וּמַעֲשֵׂהוּ בַכַּרְמֶל וְהָאִישׁ גָּדוֹל מְאֹד וְלוֹ צֹאן שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וְאֶלֶף עִזִּים וַיְהִי בִּגְזֹז אֶת צֹאנוֹ בַּכַּרְמֶל. (ג) וְשֵׁם הָאִישׁ נָבָל וְשֵׁם אִשְׁתּוֹ אֲבִגָיִל וְהָאִשָּׁה טוֹבַת שֶׂכֶל וִיפַת תֹּאַר וְהָאִישׁ קָשֶׁה וְרַע מַעֲלָלִים וְהוּא [כָלִבִּי] (כלבו). (ד) וַיִּשְׁמַע דָּוִד בַּמִּדְבָּר כִּי גֹזֵז נָבָל אֶת צֹאנוֹ. (ה) וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד עֲשָׂרָה נְעָרִים וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לַנְּעָרִים עֲלוּ כַרְמֶלָה וּבָאתֶם אֶל נָבָל וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּם לוֹ בִשְׁמִי לְשָׁלוֹם. (ו) וַאֲמַרְתֶּם כֹּה לֶחָי וְאַתָּה שָׁלוֹם וּבֵיתְךָ שָׁלוֹם וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לְךָ שָׁלוֹם. (ז) וְעַתָּה שָׁמַעְתִּי כִּי גֹזְזִים לָךְ עַתָּה הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר לְךָ הָיוּ עִמָּנוּ לֹא הֶכְלַמְנוּם וְלֹא נִפְקַד לָהֶם מְאוּמָה כׇּל יְמֵי הֱיוֹתָם בַּכַּרְמֶל. (ח) שְׁאַל אֶת נְעָרֶיךָ וְיַגִּידוּ לָךְ וְיִמְצְאוּ הַנְּעָרִים חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ כִּי עַל יוֹם טוֹב בָּנוּ תְּנָה נָּא אֵת אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָדְךָ לַעֲבָדֶיךָ וּלְבִנְךָ לְדָוִד. (ט) וַיָּבֹאוּ נַעֲרֵי דָוִד וַיְדַבְּרוּ אֶל נָבָל כְּכׇל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּשֵׁם דָּוִד וַיָּנוּחוּ. (י) וַיַּעַן נָבָל אֶת עַבְדֵי דָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר מִי דָוִד וּמִי בֶן יִשָׁי הַיּוֹם רַבּוּ עֲבָדִים הַמִּתְפָּרְצִים אִישׁ מִפְּנֵי אֲדֹנָיו. (יא) וְלָקַחְתִּי אֶת לַחְמִי וְאֶת מֵימַי וְאֵת טִבְחָתִי אֲשֶׁר טָבַחְתִּי לְגֹזְזָי וְנָתַתִּי לַאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי אֵי מִזֶּה הֵמָּה. (יב) וַיַּהַפְכוּ נַעֲרֵי דָוִד לְדַרְכָּם וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וַיָּבֹאוּ וַיַּגִּדוּ לוֹ כְּכֹל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לַאֲנָשָׁיו חִגְרוּ אִישׁ אֶת חַרְבּוֹ וַיַּחְגְּרוּ אִישׁ אֶת חַרְבּוֹ וַיַּחְגֹּר גַּם דָּוִד אֶת חַרְבּוֹ וַיַּעֲלוּ אַחֲרֵי דָוִד כְּאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ וּמָאתַיִם יָשְׁבוּ עַל הַכֵּלִים. (יד) וְלַאֲבִיגַיִל אֵשֶׁת נָבָל הִגִּיד נַעַר אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה שָׁלַח דָּוִד מַלְאָכִים מֵהַמִּדְבָּר לְבָרֵךְ אֶת אֲדֹנֵינוּ וַיָּעַט בָּהֶם. (טו) וְהָאֲנָשִׁים טֹבִים לָנוּ מְאֹד וְלֹא הׇכְלַמְנוּ וְלֹא פָקַדְנוּ מְאוּמָה כׇּל יְמֵי הִתְהַלַּכְנוּ אִתָּם בִּהְיוֹתֵנוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה. (טז) חוֹמָה הָיוּ עָלֵינוּ גַּם לַיְלָה גַּם יוֹמָם כׇּל יְמֵי הֱיוֹתֵנוּ עִמָּם רֹעִים הַצֹּאן. (יז) וְעַתָּה דְּעִי וּרְאִי מַה תַּעֲשִׂי כִּי כָלְתָה הָרָעָה אֶל אֲדֹנֵינוּ וְעַל כׇּל בֵּיתוֹ וְהוּא בֶּן בְּלִיַּעַל מִדַּבֵּר אֵלָיו. (יח) וַתְּמַהֵר [אֲבִיגַיִל] (אבוגיל) וַתִּקַּח מָאתַיִם לֶחֶם וּשְׁנַיִם נִבְלֵי יַיִן וְחָמֵשׁ צֹאן [עֲשׂוּיוֹת] (עשוות) וְחָמֵשׁ סְאִים קָלִי וּמֵאָה צִמֻּקִים וּמָאתַיִם דְּבֵלִים וַתָּשֶׂם עַל הַחֲמֹרִים. (יט) וַתֹּאמֶר לִנְעָרֶיהָ עִבְרוּ לְפָנַי הִנְנִי אַחֲרֵיכֶם בָּאָה וּלְאִישָׁהּ נָבָל לֹא הִגִּידָה. (כ) וְהָיָה הִיא רֹכֶבֶת עַל הַחֲמוֹר וְיֹרֶדֶת בְּסֵתֶר הָהָר וְהִנֵּה דָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו יֹרְדִים לִקְרָאתָהּ וַתִּפְגֹשׁ אֹתָם. (כא) וְדָוִד אָמַר אַךְ לַשֶּׁקֶר שָׁמַרְתִּי אֶת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר לָזֶה בַּמִּדְבָּר וְלֹא נִפְקַד מִכׇּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ מְאוּמָה וַיָּשֶׁב לִי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה. (כב) כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה אֱלֹהִים לְאֹיְבֵי דָוִד וְכֹה יֹסִיף אִם אַשְׁאִיר מִכׇּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ עַד הַבֹּקֶר מַשְׁתִּין בְּקִיר. (כג) וַתֵּרֶא אֲבִיגַיִל אֶת דָּוִד וַתְּמַהֵר וַתֵּרֶד מֵעַל הַחֲמוֹר וַתִּפֹּל לְאַפֵּי דָוִד עַל פָּנֶיהָ וַתִּשְׁתַּחוּ אָרֶץ. (כד) וַתִּפֹּל עַל רַגְלָיו וַתֹּאמֶר בִּי אֲנִי אֲדֹנִי הֶעָוֺן וּתְדַבֶּר נָא אֲמָתְךָ בְּאׇזְנֶיךָ וּשְׁמַע אֵת דִּבְרֵי אֲמָתֶךָ. (כה) אַל נָא יָשִׂים אֲדֹנִי אֶת לִבּוֹ אֶל אִישׁ הַבְּלִיַּעַל הַזֶּה עַל נָבָל כִּי כִשְׁמוֹ כֶּן הוּא נָבָל שְׁמוֹ וּנְבָלָה עִמּוֹ וַאֲנִי אֲמָתְךָ לֹא רָאִיתִי אֶת נַעֲרֵי אֲדֹנִי אֲשֶׁר שָׁלָחְתָּ. (כו) וְעַתָּה אֲדֹנִי חַי י״י וְחֵי נַפְשְׁךָ אֲשֶׁר מְנָעֲךָ י״י מִבּוֹא בְדָמִים וְהוֹשֵׁעַ יָדְךָ לָךְ וְעַתָּה יִהְיוּ כְנָבָל אֹיְבֶיךָ וְהַמְבַקְשִׁים אֶל אֲדֹנִי רָעָה. (כז) וְעַתָּה הַבְּרָכָה הַזֹּאת אֲשֶׁר הֵבִיא שִׁפְחָתְךָ לַאדֹנִי וְנִתְּנָה לַנְּעָרִים הַמִּתְהַלְּכִים בְּרַגְלֵי אֲדֹנִי. (כח) שָׂא נָא לְפֶשַׁע אֲמָתֶךָ כִּי עָשֹׂה יַעֲשֶׂה י״י לַאדֹנִי בַּיִת נֶאֱמָן כִּי מִלְחֲמוֹת י״י אֲדֹנִי נִלְחָם וְרָעָה לֹא תִמָּצֵא בְךָ מִיָּמֶיךָ. (כט) וַיָּקׇם אָדָם לִרְדׇפְךָ וּלְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת נַפְשֶׁךָ וְהָיְתָה נֶפֶשׁ אֲדֹנִי צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֵת י״י אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְאֵת נֶפֶשׁ אֹיְבֶיךָ יְקַלְּעֶנָּה בְּתוֹךְ כַּף הַקָּלַע. (ל) וְהָיָה כִּי יַעֲשֶׂה י״י לַאדֹנִי כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֶת הַטּוֹבָה עָלֶיךָ וְצִוְּךָ לְנָגִיד עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. (לא) וְלֹא תִהְיֶה זֹאת לְךָ לְפוּקָה וּלְמִכְשׁוֹל לֵב לַאדֹנִי וְלִשְׁפׇּךְ דָּם חִנָּם וּלְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֲדֹנִי לוֹ וְהֵיטִב י״י לַאדֹנִי וְזָכַרְתָּ אֶת אֲמָתֶךָ. (לב) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לַאֲבִיגַל בָּרוּךְ י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחֵךְ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לִקְרָאתִי. (לג) וּבָרוּךְ טַעְמֵךְ וּבְרוּכָה אָתְּ אֲשֶׁר כְּלִתִנִי הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה מִבּוֹא בְדָמִים וְהֹשֵׁעַ יָדִי לִי. (לד) וְאוּלָם חַי י״י אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר מְנָעַנִי מֵהָרַע אֹתָךְ כִּי לוּלֵי מִהַרְתְּ [וַתָּבֹאת] (ותבאתי) לִקְרָאתִי כִּי אִם נוֹתַר לְנָבָל עַד אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר מַשְׁתִּין בְּקִיר. (לה) וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד מִיָּדָהּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר הֵבִיאָה לוֹ וְלָהּ אָמַר עֲלִי לְשָׁלוֹם לְבֵיתֵךְ רְאִי שָׁמַעְתִּי בְקוֹלֵךְ וָאֶשָּׂא פָּנָיִךְ. (לו) וַתָּבֹא אֲבִיגַיִל אֶל נָבָל וְהִנֵּה לוֹ מִשְׁתֶּה בְּבֵיתוֹ כְּמִשְׁתֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ וְלֵב נָבָל טוֹב עָלָיו וְהוּא שִׁכֹּר עַד מְאֹד וְלֹא הִגִּידָה לּוֹ דָּבָר קָטֹן וְגָדוֹל עַד אוֹר הַבֹּקֶר. (לז) וַיְהִי בַבֹּקֶר בְּצֵאת הַיַּיִן מִנָּבָל וַתַּגֶּד לוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ אֶת הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיָּמׇת לִבּוֹ בְּקִרְבּוֹ וְהוּא הָיָה לְאָבֶן. (לח) וַיְהִי כַּעֲשֶׂרֶת הַיָּמִים וַיִּגֹּף י״י אֶת נָבָל וַיָּמֹת. (לט) וַיִּשְׁמַע דָּוִד כִּי מֵת נָבָל וַיֹּאמֶר בָּרוּךְ י״י אֲשֶׁר רָב אֶת רִיב חֶרְפָּתִי מִיַּד נָבָל וְאֶת עַבְדּוֹ חָשַׂךְ מֵרָעָה וְאֵת רָעַת נָבָל הֵשִׁיב י״י בְּרֹאשׁוֹ וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד וַיְדַבֵּר בַּאֲבִיגַיִל לְקַחְתָּהּ לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה. (מ) וַיָּבֹאוּ עַבְדֵי דָוִד אֶל אֲבִיגַיִל הַכַּרְמֶלָה וַיְדַבְּרוּ אֵלֶיהָ לֵאמֹר דָּוִד שְׁלָחָנוּ אֵלַיִךְ לְקַחְתֵּךְ לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה. (מא) וַתָּקׇם וַתִּשְׁתַּחוּ אַפַּיִם אָרְצָה וַתֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה אֲמָתְךָ לְשִׁפְחָה לִרְחֹץ רַגְלֵי עַבְדֵי אֲדֹנִי. (מב) וַתְּמַהֵר וַתָּקׇם אֲבִיגַיִל וַתִּרְכַּב עַל הַחֲמוֹר וְחָמֵשׁ נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ הַהֹלְכוֹת לְרַגְלָהּ וַתֵּלֶךְ אַחֲרֵי מַלְאֲכֵי דָוִד וַתְּהִי לוֹ לְאִשָּׁה. (מג) וְאֶת אֲחִינֹעַם לָקַח דָּוִד מִיִּזְרְעֶאל וַתִּהְיֶיןָ גַּם שְׁתֵּיהֶן לוֹ לְנָשִׁים. (מד) וְשָׁאוּל נָתַן אֶת מִיכַל בִּתּוֹ אֵשֶׁת דָּוִד לְפַלְטִי בֶן לַיִשׁ אֲשֶׁר מִגַּלִּים.

פרק כו

(א) וַיָּבֹאוּ הַזִּפִים אֶל שָׁאוּל הַגִּבְעָתָה לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא דָוִד מִסְתַּתֵּר בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה עַל פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימֹן. (ב) וַיָּקׇם שָׁאוּל וַיֵּרֶד אֶל מִדְבַּר זִיף וְאִתּוֹ שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ בְּחוּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת דָּוִד בְּמִדְבַּר זִיף. (ג) וַיִּחַן שָׁאוּל בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה אֲשֶׁר עַל פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימֹן עַל הַדָּרֶךְ וְדָוִד יֹשֵׁב בַּמִּדְבָּר וַיַּרְא כִּי בָא שָׁאוּל אַחֲרָיו הַמִּדְבָּרָה. (ד) וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד מְרַגְּלִים וַיֵּדַע כִּי בָא שָׁאוּל אֶל נָכוֹן. (ה) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיָּבֹא אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר חָנָה שָׁם שָׁאוּל וַיַּרְא דָּוִד אֶת הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר שָׁכַב שָׁם שָׁאוּל וְאַבְנֵר בֶּן נֵר שַׂר צְבָאוֹ וְשָׁאוּל שֹׁכֵב בַּמַּעְגָּל וְהָעָם חֹנִים סְבִיבֹתָו. (ו) וַיַּעַן דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל אֲחִימֶלֶךְ הַחִתִּי וְאֶל אֲבִישַׁי בֶּן צְרוּיָה אֲחִי יוֹאָב לֵאמֹר מִי יֵרֵד אִתִּי אֶל שָׁאוּל אֶל הַמַּחֲנֶה וַיֹּאמֶר אֲבִישַׁי אֲנִי אֵרֵד עִמָּךְ. (ז) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד וַאֲבִישַׁי אֶל הָעָם לַיְלָה וְהִנֵּה שָׁאוּל שֹׁכֵב יָשֵׁן בַּמַּעְגָּל וַחֲנִיתוֹ מְעוּכָה בָאָרֶץ מְרַאֲשֹׁתָו וְאַבְנֵר וְהָעָם שֹׁכְבִים סְבִיבֹתָו. (ח) וַיֹּאמֶר אֲבִישַׁי אֶל דָּוִד סִגַּר אֱלֹהִים הַיּוֹם אֶת אוֹיִבְךָ בְּיָדֶךָ וְעַתָּה אַכֶּנּוּ נָא בַּחֲנִית וּבָאָרֶץ פַּעַם אַחַת וְלֹא אֶשְׁנֶה לוֹ. (ט) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אֲבִישַׁי אַל תַּשְׁחִיתֵהוּ כִּי מִי שָׁלַח יָדוֹ בִּמְשִׁיחַ י״י וְנִקָּה. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד חַי י״י כִּי אִם י״י יִגֳּפֶנּוּ אוֹ יוֹמוֹ יָבוֹא וָמֵת אוֹ בַמִּלְחָמָה יֵרֵד וְנִסְפָּה. (יא) חָלִילָה לִּי מֵי״י מִשְּׁלֹחַ יָדִי בִּמְשִׁיחַ י״י וְעַתָּה קַח נָא אֶת הַחֲנִית אֲשֶׁר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָו וְאֶת צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם וְנֵלְכָה לָּנוּ. (יב) וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד אֶת הַחֲנִית וְאֶת צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי שָׁאוּל וַיֵּלְכוּ לָהֶם וְאֵין רֹאֶה וְאֵין יוֹדֵעַ וְאֵין מֵקִיץ כִּי כֻלָּם יְשֵׁנִים כִּי תַּרְדֵּמַת י״י נָפְלָה עֲלֵיהֶם. (יג) וַיַּעֲבֹר דָּוִד הָעֵבֶר וַיַּעֲמֹד עַל רֹאשׁ הָהָר מֵרָחֹק רַב הַמָּקוֹם בֵּינֵיהֶם. (יד) וַיִּקְרָא דָוִד אֶל הָעָם וְאֶל אַבְנֵר בֶּן נֵר לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא תַעֲנֶה אַבְנֵר וַיַּעַן אַבְנֵר וַיֹּאמֶר מִי אַתָּה קָרָאתָ אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אַבְנֵר הֲלוֹא אִישׁ אַתָּה וּמִי כָמוֹךָ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וְלָמָּה לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֶל אֲדֹנֶיךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ כִּי בָא אַחַד הָעָם לְהַשְׁחִית אֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲדֹנֶיךָ. (טז) לֹא טוֹב הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ חַי י״י כִּי בְנֵי מָוֶת אַתֶּם אֲשֶׁר לֹא שְׁמַרְתֶּם עַל אֲדֹנֵיכֶם עַל מְשִׁיחַ י״י וְעַתָּה רְאֵה אֵי חֲנִית הַמֶּלֶךְ וְאֶת צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָו. (יז) וַיַּכֵּר שָׁאוּל אֶת קוֹל דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר הֲקוֹלְךָ זֶה בְּנִי דָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד קוֹלִי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ. (יח) וַיֹּאמֶר לָמָּה זֶּה אֲדֹנִי רֹדֵף אַחֲרֵי עַבְדּוֹ כִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתִי וּמַה בְּיָדִי רָעָה. (יט) וְעַתָּה יִשְׁמַע נָא אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ אֵת דִּבְרֵי עַבְדּוֹ אִם י״י הֱסִיתְךָ בִי יָרַח מִנְחָה וְאִם בְּנֵי הָאָדָם אֲרוּרִים הֵם לִפְנֵי י״י כִּי גֵרְשׁוּנִי הַיּוֹם מֵהִסְתַּפֵּחַ בְּנַחֲלַת י״י לֵאמֹר לֵךְ עֲבֹד אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים. (כ) וְעַתָּה אַל יִפֹּל דָּמִי אַרְצָה מִנֶּגֶד פְּנֵי י״י כִּי יָצָא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת פַּרְעֹשׁ אֶחָד כַּאֲשֶׁר יִרְדֹּף הַקֹּרֵא בֶּהָרִים. (כא) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל חָטָאתִי שׁוּב בְּנִי דָוִד כִּי לֹא אָרַע לְךָ עוֹד תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר יָקְרָה נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֶיךָ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה הִנֵּה הִסְכַּלְתִּי וָאֶשְׁגֶּה הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד. (כב) וַיַּעַן דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה [חֲנִית] (החנית) הַמֶּלֶךְ וְיַעֲבֹר אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּחֶהָ. (כג) וַי״י יָשִׁיב לָאִישׁ אֶת צִדְקָתוֹ וְאֶת אֱמֻנָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נְתָנְךָ י״י הַיּוֹם בְּיָד וְלֹא אָבִיתִי לִשְׁלֹחַ יָדִי בִּמְשִׁיחַ י״י. (כד) וְהִנֵּה כַּאֲשֶׁר גָּדְלָה נַפְשְׁךָ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בְּעֵינָי כֵּן תִּגְדַּל נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֵי י״י וְיַצִּלֵנִי מִכׇּל צָרָה. (כה) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל דָּוִד בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּנִי דָוִד גַּם עָשֹׂה תַעֲשֶׂה וְגַם יָכֹל תּוּכָל וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד לְדַרְכּוֹ וְשָׁאוּל שָׁב לִמְקוֹמוֹ.

פרק כז

(א) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל לִבּוֹ עַתָּה אֶסָּפֶה יוֹם אֶחָד בְּיַד שָׁאוּל אֵין לִי טוֹב כִּי הִמָּלֵט אִמָּלֵט אֶל אֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים וְנוֹאַשׁ מִמֶּנִּי שָׁאוּל לְבַקְשֵׁנִי עוֹד בְּכׇל גְּבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנִמְלַטְתִּי מִיָּדוֹ. (ב) וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיַּעֲבֹר הוּא וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ אֶל אָכִישׁ בֶּן מָעוֹךְ מֶלֶךְ גַּת. (ג) וַיֵּשֶׁב דָּוִד עִם אָכִישׁ בְּגַת הוּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ דָּוִד וּשְׁתֵּי נָשָׁיו אֲחִינֹעַם הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִת וַאֲבִיגַיִל אֵשֶׁת נָבָל הַכַּרְמְלִית. (ד) וַיֻּגַּד לְשָׁאוּל כִּי בָרַח דָּוִד גַּת וְלֹא [יָסַף] (יוסף) עוֹד לְבַקְשׁוֹ. (ה) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אָכִישׁ אִם נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ יִתְּנוּ לִי מָקוֹם בְּאַחַת עָרֵי הַשָּׂדֶה וְאֵשְׁבָה שָּׁם וְלָמָּה יֵשֵׁב עַבְדְּךָ בְּעִיר הַמַּמְלָכָה עִמָּךְ. (ו) וַיִּתֶּן לוֹ אָכִישׁ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אֶת צִקְלָג לָכֵן הָיְתָה צִקְלַג לְמַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (ז) וַיְהִי מִסְפַּר הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁב דָּוִד בִּשְׂדֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים יָמִים וְאַרְבָּעָה חֳדָשִׁים. (ח) וַיַּעַל דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ אֶל הַגְּשׁוּרִי [וְהַגִּזְרִי] (והגרזי) וְהָעֲמָלֵקִי כִּי הֵנָּה יֹשְׁבוֹת הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר מֵעוֹלָם בּוֹאֲךָ שׁוּרָה וְעַד אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם. (ט) וְהִכָּה דָוִד אֶת הָאָרֶץ וְלֹא יְחַיֶּה אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה וְלָקַח צֹאן וּבָקָר וַחֲמֹרִים וּגְמַלִּים וּבְגָדִים וַיָּשׇׁב וַיָּבֹא אֶל אָכִישׁ. (י) וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ אַל פְּשַׁטְתֶּם הַיּוֹם וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד עַל נֶגֶב יְהוּדָה וְעַל נֶגֶב הַיְּרַחְמְאֵלִי וְאֶל נֶגֶב הַקֵּינִי. (יא) וְאִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה לֹא יְחַיֶּה דָוִד לְהָבִיא גַת לֵאמֹר פֶּן יַגִּדוּ עָלֵינוּ לֵאמֹר כֹּה עָשָׂה דָוִד וְכֹה מִשְׁפָּטוֹ כׇּל הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁב בִּשְׂדֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים. (יב) וַיַּאֲמֵן אָכִישׁ בְּדָוִד לֵאמֹר הַבְאֵשׁ הִבְאִישׁ בְּעַמּוֹ בְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְהָיָה לִי לְעֶבֶד עוֹלָם.

פרק כח

(א) וַיְהִי בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם וַיִּקְבְּצוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת מַחֲנֵיהֶם לַצָּבָא לְהִלָּחֵם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ אֶל דָּוִד יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע כִּי אִתִּי תֵּצֵא בַמַּחֲנֶה אַתָּה וַאֲנָשֶׁיךָ. (ב) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אָכִישׁ לָכֵן אַתָּה תֵדַע אֵת אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה עַבְדֶּךָ וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ אֶל דָּוִד לָכֵן שֹׁמֵר לְרֹאשִׁי אֲשִׂימְךָ כׇּל הַיָּמִים. (ג) וּשְׁמוּאֵל מֵת וַיִּסְפְּדוּ לוֹ כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ בָרָמָה וּבְעִירוֹ וְשָׁאוּל הֵסִיר הָאֹבוֹת וְאֶת הַיִּדְּעֹנִים מֵהָאָרֶץ. (ד) וַיִּקָּבְצוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיָּבֹאוּ וַיַּחֲנוּ בְשׁוּנֵם וַיִּקְבֹּץ שָׁאוּל אֶת כׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּחֲנוּ בַּגִּלְבֹּעַ. (ה) וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל אֶת מַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּרָא וַיֶּחֱרַד לִבּוֹ מְאֹד. (ו) וַיִּשְׁאַל שָׁאוּל בַּי״י וְלֹא עָנָהוּ י״י גַּם בַּחֲלֹמוֹת גַּם בָּאוּרִים גַּם בַּנְּבִיאִם. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לַעֲבָדָיו בַּקְּשׁוּ לִי אֵשֶׁת בַּעֲלַת אוֹב וְאֵלְכָה אֵלֶיהָ וְאֶדְרְשָׁה בָּהּ וַיֹּאמְרוּ עֲבָדָיו אֵלָיו הִנֵּה אֵשֶׁת בַּעֲלַת אוֹב בְּעֵין דּוֹר. (ח) וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ שָׁאוּל וַיִּלְבַּשׁ בְּגָדִים אֲחֵרִים וַיֵּלֶךְ הוּא וּשְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים עִמּוֹ וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל הָאִשָּׁה לָיְלָה וַיֹּאמֶר (קסומי) [קָסֳמִי] נָא לִי בָּאוֹב וְהַעֲלִי לִי אֵת אֲשֶׁר אֹמַר אֵלָיִךְ. (ט) וַתֹּאמֶר הָאִשָּׁה אֵלָיו הִנֵּה אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה שָׁאוּל אֲשֶׁר הִכְרִית אֶת הָאֹבוֹת וְאֶת הַיִּדְּעֹנִי מִן הָאָרֶץ וְלָמָה אַתָּה מִתְנַקֵּשׁ בְּנַפְשִׁי לַהֲמִיתֵנִי. (י) וַיִּשָּׁבַע לָהּ שָׁאוּל בַּי״י לֵאמֹר חַי י״י אִם יִקְּרֵךְ עָוֺן בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה. (יא) וַתֹּאמֶר הָאִשָּׁה אֶת מִי אַעֲלֶה לָּךְ וַיֹּאמֶר אֶת שְׁמוּאֵל הַעֲלִי לִי. (יב) וַתֵּרֶא הָאִשָּׁה אֶת שְׁמוּאֵל וַתִּזְעַק בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל וַתֹּאמֶר הָאִשָּׁה אֶל שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר לָמָּה רִמִּיתָנִי וְאַתָּה שָׁאוּל. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ הַמֶּלֶךְ אַל תִּירְאִי כִּי מָה רָאִית וַתֹּאמֶר הָאִשָּׁה אֶל שָׁאוּל אֱלֹהִים רָאִיתִי עֹלִים מִן הָאָרֶץ. (יד) וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַה תׇּאֳרוֹ וַתֹּאמֶר אִישׁ זָקֵן עֹלֶה וְהוּא עֹטֶה מְעִיל וַיֵּדַע שָׁאוּל כִּי שְׁמוּאֵל הוּא וַיִּקֹּד אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל שָׁאוּל לָמָּה הִרְגַּזְתַּנִי לְהַעֲלוֹת אֹתִי וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל צַר לִי מְאֹד וּפְלִשְׁתִּים נִלְחָמִים בִּי וֵאלֹהִים סָר מֵעָלַי וְלֹא עָנָנִי עוֹד גַּם בְּיַד הַנְּבִיאִים גַּם בַּחֲלֹמוֹת וָאֶקְרָאֶה לְךָ לְהוֹדִיעֵנִי מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה. (טז) וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל וְלָמָּה תִּשְׁאָלֵנִי וַי״י סָר מֵעָלֶיךָ וַיְהִי עָרֶךָ. (יז) וַיַּעַשׂ י״י לוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר בְּיָדִי וַיִּקְרַע י״י אֶת הַמַּמְלָכָה מִיָּדֶךָ וַיִּתְּנָהּ לְרֵעֲךָ לְדָוִד. (יח) כַּאֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׁמַעְתָּ בְּקוֹל י״י וְלֹא עָשִׂיתָ חֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ בַּעֲמָלֵק עַל כֵּן הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה עָשָׂה לְךָ י״י הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (יט) וְיִתֵּן י״י גַּם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל עִמְּךָ בְּיַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּמָחָר אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ עִמִּי גַּם אֶת מַחֲנֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל יִתֵּן י״י בְּיַד פְּלִשְׁתִּים. (כ) וַיְמַהֵר שָׁאוּל וַיִּפֹּל מְלֹא קוֹמָתוֹ אַרְצָה וַיִּרָא מְאֹד מִדִּבְרֵי שְׁמוּאֵל גַּם כֹּחַ לֹא הָיָה בוֹ כִּי לֹא אָכַל לֶחֶם כׇּל הַיּוֹם וְכׇל הַלָּיְלָה. (כא) וַתָּבוֹא הָאִשָּׁה אֶל שָׁאוּל וַתֵּרֶא כִּי נִבְהַל מְאֹד וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הִנֵּה שָׁמְעָה שִׁפְחָתְךָ בְּקוֹלֶךָ וָאָשִׂים נַפְשִׁי בְּכַפִּי וָאֶשְׁמַע אֶת דְּבָרֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ אֵלָי. (כב) וְעַתָּה שְׁמַע נָא גַם אַתָּה בְּקוֹל שִׁפְחָתֶךָ וְאָשִׂמָה לְפָנֶיךָ פַּת לֶחֶם וֶאֱכוֹל וִיהִי בְךָ כֹּחַ כִּי תֵלֵךְ בַּדָּרֶךְ. (כג) וַיְמָאֵן וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אֹכַל וַיִּפְרְצוּ בוֹ עֲבָדָיו וְגַם הָאִשָּׁה וַיִּשְׁמַע לְקֹלָם וַיָּקׇם מֵהָאָרֶץ וַיֵּשֶׁב אֶל הַמִּטָּה. (כד) וְלָאִשָּׁה עֵגֶל מַרְבֵּק בַּבַּיִת וַתְּמַהֵר וַתִּזְבָּחֵהוּ וַתִּקַּח קֶמַח וַתָּלָשׁ וַתֹּפֵהוּ מַצּוֹת. (כה) וַתַּגֵּשׁ לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וְלִפְנֵי עֲבָדָיו וַיֹּאכֵלוּ וַיָּקֻמוּ וַיֵּלְכוּ בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא.

פרק כט

(א) וַיִּקְבְּצוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת כׇּל מַחֲנֵיהֶם אֲפֵקָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל חֹנִים בַּעַיִן אֲשֶׁר בְּיִזְרְעֶאל. (ב) וְסַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים עֹבְרִים לְמֵאוֹת וְלַאֲלָפִים וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עֹבְרִים בָּאַחֲרֹנָה עִם אָכִישׁ. (ג) וַיֹּאמְרוּ שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים מָה הָעִבְרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ אֶל שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים הֲלוֹא זֶה דָוִד עֶבֶד שָׁאוּל מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אִתִּי זֶה יָמִים אוֹ זֶה שָׁנִים וְלֹא מָצָאתִי בוֹ מְאוּמָה מִיּוֹם נׇפְלוֹ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (ד) וַיִּקְצְפוּ עָלָיו שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים הָשֵׁב אֶת הָאִישׁ וְיָשֹׁב אֶל מְקוֹמוֹ אֲשֶׁר הִפְקַדְתּוֹ שָׁם וְלֹא יֵרֵד עִמָּנוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה וְלֹא יִהְיֶה לָּנוּ לְשָׂטָן בַּמִּלְחָמָה וּבַמֶּה יִתְרַצֶּה זֶה אֶל אֲדֹנָיו הֲלוֹא בְּרָאשֵׁי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם. (ה) הֲלוֹא זֶה דָוִד אֲשֶׁר יַעֲנוּ לוֹ בַּמְּחֹלוֹת לֵאמֹר הִכָּה שָׁאוּל בַּאֲלָפָיו וְדָוִד בְּרִבְבֹתָו. (ו) וַיִּקְרָא אָכִישׁ אֶל דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו חַי י״י כִּי יָשָׁר אַתָּה וְטוֹב בְּעֵינַי צֵאתְךָ וּבֹאֲךָ אִתִּי בַּמַּחֲנֶה כִּי לֹא מָצָאתִי בְךָ רָעָה מִיּוֹם בֹּאֲךָ אֵלַי עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וּבְעֵינֵי הַסְּרָנִים לֹא טוֹב אָתָּה. (ז) וְעַתָּה שׁוּב וְלֵךְ בְּשָׁלוֹם וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה רָע בְּעֵינֵי סַרְנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים. (ח) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אָכִישׁ כִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתִי וּמַה מָּצָאתָ בְעַבְדְּךָ מִיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר הָיִיתִי לְפָנֶיךָ עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא אָבוֹא וְנִלְחַמְתִּי בְּאֹיְבֵי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ. (ט) וַיַּעַן אָכִישׁ וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל דָּוִד יָדַעְתִּי כִּי טוֹב אַתָּה בְּעֵינַי כְּמַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים אַךְ שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים אָמְרוּ לֹא יַעֲלֶה עִמָּנוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה. (י) וְעַתָּה הַשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר וְעַבְדֵי אֲדֹנֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר בָּאוּ אִתָּךְ וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּם בַּבֹּקֶר וְאוֹר לָכֶם וָלֵכוּ. (יא) וַיַּשְׁכֵּם דָּוִד הוּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו לָלֶכֶת בַּבֹּקֶר לָשׁוּב אֶל אֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּפְלִשְׁתִּים עָלוּ יִזְרְעֶאל.

פרק ל

(א) וַיְהִי בְּבֹא דָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו צִקְלַג בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי וַעֲמָלֵקִי פָשְׁטוּ אֶל נֶגֶב וְאֶל צִקְלַג וַיַּכּוּ אֶת צִקְלַג וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ אֹתָהּ בָּאֵשׁ. (ב) וַיִּשְׁבּוּ אֶת הַנָּשִׁים אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ מִקָּטֹן וְעַד גָּדוֹל לֹא הֵמִיתוּ אִישׁ וַיִּנְהֲגוּ וַיֵּלְכוּ לְדַרְכָּם. (ג) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו אֶל הָעִיר וְהִנֵּה שְׂרוּפָה בָּאֵשׁ וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וּבְנֹתֵיהֶם נִשְׁבּוּ. (ד) וַיִּשָּׂא דָוִד וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ אֶת קוֹלָם וַיִּבְכּוּ עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵין בָּהֶם כֹּחַ לִבְכּוֹת. (ה) וּשְׁתֵּי נְשֵׁי דָוִד נִשְׁבּוּ אֲחִינֹעַם הַיִּזְרְעֵלִית וַאֲבִיגַיִל אֵשֶׁת נָבָל הַכַּרְמְלִי. (ו) וַתֵּצֶר לְדָוִד מְאֹד כִּי אָמְרוּ הָעָם לְסׇקְלוֹ כִּי מָרָה נֶפֶשׁ כׇּל הָעָם אִישׁ עַל בָּנָו וְעַל בְּנֹתָיו וַיִּתְחַזֵּק דָּוִד בַּי״י אֱלֹהָיו. (ז) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל אֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן בֶּן אֲחִימֶלֶךְ הַגִּישָׁה נָּא לִי הָאֵפוֹד וַיַּגֵּשׁ אֶבְיָתָר אֶת הָאֵפוֹד אֶל דָּוִד. (ח) וַיִּשְׁאַל דָּוִד בַּי״י לֵאמֹר אֶרְדֹּף אַחֲרֵי הַגְּדוּד הַזֶּה הַאַשִּׂגֶנּוּ וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ רְדֹף כִּי הַשֵּׂג תַּשִּׂיג וְהַצֵּל תַּצִּיל. (ט) וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד הוּא וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד נַחַל הַבְּשׂוֹר וְהַנּוֹתָרִים עָמָדוּ. (י) וַיִּרְדֹּף דָּוִד הוּא וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ וַיַּעַמְדוּ מָאתַיִם אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר פִּגְּרוּ מֵעֲבֹר אֶת נַחַל הַבְּשׂוֹר. (יא) וַיִּמְצְאוּ אִישׁ מִצְרִי בַּשָּׂדֶה וַיִּקְחוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל דָּוִד וַיִּתְּנוּ לוֹ לֶחֶם וַיֹּאכַל וַיַּשְׁקֻהוּ מָיִם. (יב) וַיִּתְּנוּ לוֹ פֶלַח דְּבֵלָה וּשְׁנֵי צִמֻּקִים וַיֹּאכַל וַתָּשׇׁב רוּחוֹ אֵלָיו כִּי לֹא אָכַל לֶחֶם וְלֹא שָׁתָה מַיִם שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה לֵילוֹת. (יג) וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ דָוִד לְמִי אַתָּה וְאֵי מִזֶּה אָתָּה וַיֹּאמֶר נַעַר מִצְרִי אָנֹכִי עֶבֶד לְאִישׁ עֲמָלֵקִי וַיַּעַזְבֵנִי אֲדֹנִי כִּי חָלִיתִי הַיּוֹם שְׁלֹשָׁה. (יד) אֲנַחְנוּ פָּשַׁטְנוּ נֶגֶב הַכְּרֵתִי וְעַל אֲשֶׁר לִיהוּדָה וְעַל נֶגֶב כָּלֵב וְאֶת צִקְלַג שָׂרַפְנוּ בָאֵשׁ. (טו) וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו דָּוִד הֲתוֹרִדֵנִי אֶל הַגְּדוּד הַזֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר הִשָּׁבְעָה לִּי בֵאלֹהִים אִם תְּמִיתֵנִי וְאִם תַּסְגִּרֵנִי בְּיַד אֲדֹנִי וְאוֹרִדְךָ אֶל הַגְּדוּד הַזֶּה. (טז) וַיֹּרִדֵהוּ וְהִנֵּה נְטֻשִׁים עַל פְּנֵי כׇל הָאָרֶץ אֹכְלִים וְשֹׁתִים וְחֹגְגִים בְּכֹל הַשָּׁלָל הַגָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר לָקְחוּ מֵאֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּמֵאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה. (יז) וַיַּכֵּם דָּוִד מֵהַנֶּשֶׁף וְעַד הָעֶרֶב לְמׇחֳרָתָם וְלֹא נִמְלַט מֵהֶם אִישׁ כִּי אִם אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִישׁ נַעַר אֲשֶׁר רָכְבוּ עַל הַגְּמַלִּים וַיָּנֻסוּ. (יח) וַיַּצֵּל דָּוִד אֵת כׇּל אֲשֶׁר לָקְחוּ עֲמָלֵק וְאֶת שְׁתֵּי נָשָׁיו הִצִּיל דָּוִד. (יט) וְלֹא נֶעְדַּר לָהֶם מִן הַקָּטֹן וְעַד הַגָּדוֹל וְעַד בָּנִים וּבָנוֹת וּמִשָּׁלָל וְעַד כׇּל אֲשֶׁר לָקְחוּ לָהֶם הַכֹּל הֵשִׁיב דָּוִד. (כ) וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד אֶת כׇּל הַצֹּאן וְהַבָּקָר נָהֲגוּ לִפְנֵי הַמִּקְנֶה הַהוּא וַיֹּאמְרוּ זֶה שְׁלַל דָּוִד. (כא) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד אֶל מָאתַיִם הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר פִּגְּרוּ מִלֶּכֶת אַחֲרֵי דָוִד וַיֹּשִׁיבֻם בְּנַחַל הַבְּשׂוֹר וַיֵּצְאוּ לִקְרַאת דָּוִד וְלִקְרַאת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וַיִּגַּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת הָעָם וַיִּשְׁאַל לָהֶם לְשָׁלוֹם. (כב) וַיַּעַן כׇּל אִישׁ רָע וּבְלִיַּעַל מֵהָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ עִם דָּוִד וַיֹּאמְרוּ יַעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלְכוּ עִמִּי לֹא נִתֵּן לָהֶם מֵהַשָּׁלָל אֲשֶׁר הִצַּלְנוּ כִּי אִם אִישׁ אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאֶת בָּנָיו וְיִנְהֲגוּ וְיֵלֵכוּ. (כג) וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ כֵן אֶחָי אֵת אֲשֶׁר נָתַן י״י לָנוּ וַיִּשְׁמֹר אֹתָנוּ וַיִּתֵּן אֶת הַגְּדוּד הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ בְּיָדֵנוּ. (כד) וּמִי יִשְׁמַע לָכֶם לַדָּבָר הַזֶּה כִּי כְּחֵלֶק הַיֹּרֵד בַּמִּלְחָמָה וּכְחֵלֶק הַיֹּשֵׁב עַל הַכֵּלִים יַחְדָּו יַחֲלֹקוּ. (כה) וַיְהִי מֵהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָמָעְלָה וַיְשִׂמֶהָ לְחֹק וּלְמִשְׁפָּט לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה. (כו) וַיָּבֹא דָוִד אֶל צִקְלַג וַיְשַׁלַּח מֵהַשָּׁלָל לְזִקְנֵי יְהוּדָה לְרֵעֵהוּ לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה לָכֶם בְּרָכָה מִשְּׁלַל אֹיְבֵי י״י. (כז) לַאֲשֶׁר בְּבֵית אֵל וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּרָמוֹת נֶגֶב וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּיַתִּר. (כח) וְלַאֲשֶׁר בַּעֲרֹעֵר וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּשִׂפְמוֹת וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּאֶשְׁתְּמֹעַ. (כט) וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּרָכָל וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּעָרֵי הַיְּרַחְמְאֵלִי וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּעָרֵי הַקֵּינִי. (ל) וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּחׇרְמָה וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּבוֹר עָשָׁן וְלַאֲשֶׁר בַּעֲתָךְ. (לא) וְלַאֲשֶׁר בְּחֶבְרוֹן וּלְכׇל הַמְּקֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר הִתְהַלֶּךְ שָׁם דָּוִד הוּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו.

פרק לא

(א) וּפְלִשְׁתִּים נִלְחָמִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וַיָּנֻסוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִפְּנֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיִּפְּלוּ חֲלָלִים בְּהַר הַגִּלְבֹּעַ. (ב) וַיַּדְבְּקוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת שָׁאוּל וְאֶת בָּנָיו וַיַּכּוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת יְהוֹנָתָן וְאֶת אֲבִינָדָב וְאֶת מַלְכִּי שׁוּעַ בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל. (ג) וַתִּכְבַּד הַמִּלְחָמָה אֶל שָׁאוּל וַיִּמְצָאֻהוּ הַמּוֹרִים אֲנָשִׁים בַּקָּשֶׁת וַיָּחֶל מְאֹד מֵהַמּוֹרִים. (ד) וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו שְׁלֹף חַרְבְּךָ וְדׇקְרֵנִי בָהּ פֶּן יָבוֹאוּ הָעֲרֵלִים הָאֵלֶּה וּדְקָרֻנִי וְהִתְעַלְּלוּ בִי וְלֹא אָבָה נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו כִּי יָרֵא מְאֹד וַיִּקַּח שָׁאוּל אֶת הַחֶרֶב וַיִּפֹּל עָלֶיהָ. (ה) וַיַּרְא נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו כִּי מֵת שָׁאוּל וַיִּפֹּל גַּם הוּא עַל חַרְבּוֹ וַיָּמׇת עִמּוֹ. (ו) וַיָּמׇת שָׁאוּל וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו וְנֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו גַּם כׇּל אֲנָשָׁיו בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יַחְדָּו. (ז) וַיִּרְאוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הָעֵמֶק וַאֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן כִּי נָסוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְכִי מֵתוּ שָׁאוּל וּבָנָיו וַיַּעַזְבוּ אֶת הֶעָרִים וַיָּנֻסוּ וַיָּבֹאוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בָּהֶן. (ח) וַיְהִי מִמׇּחֳרָת וַיָּבֹאוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לְפַשֵּׁט אֶת הַחֲלָלִים וַיִּמְצְאוּ אֶת שָׁאוּל וְאֶת שְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו נֹפְלִים בְּהַר הַגִּלְבֹּעַ. (ט) וַיִּכְרְתוּ אֶת רֹאשׁוֹ וַיַּפְשִׁטוּ אֶת כֵּלָיו וַיְשַׁלְּחוּ בְאֶרֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּים סָבִיב לְבַשֵּׂר בֵּית עֲצַבֵּיהֶם וְאֶת הָעָם. (י) וַיָּשִׂימוּ אֶת כֵּלָיו בֵּית עַשְׁתָּרוֹת וְאֶת גְּוִיָּתוֹ תָּקְעוּ בְּחוֹמַת בֵּית שָׁן. (יא) וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֵלָיו יֹשְׁבֵי יָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים לְשָׁאוּל. (יב) וַיָּקוּמוּ כׇּל אִישׁ חַיִל וַיֵּלְכוּ כׇל הַלַּיְלָה וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת גְּוִיַּת שָׁאוּל וְאֵת גְּוִיֹּת בָּנָיו מֵחוֹמַת בֵּית שָׁן וַיָּבֹאוּ יָבֵשָׁה וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ אֹתָם שָׁם. (יג) וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת עַצְמֹתֵיהֶם וַיִּקְבְּרוּ תַחַת הָאֶשֶׁל בְּיָבֵשָׁה וַיָּצֻמוּ שִׁבְעַת יָמִים.

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Lang: en; Title: Sefer Shemuel I; Content:

Chapter 1

(1) Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. (2) And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. (3) And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Hashem of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Hashem, were there. (4) And it came to pass upon a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, that he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters, (5) but to Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Hashem had shut up her womb. (6) And her rival provoked her severely, to make her fret, because Hashem had shut up her womb. (7) And as he did so year by year when she went up to the house of Hashem, so she provoked her; therefore she wept and would not eat. (8) And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" (9) So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of Hashem. (10) She was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed to Hashem and wept bitterly. (11) And she vowed a vow and said, "O Hashem of Hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Your handmaid, but will give to Your handmaid a child, then I will give him to Hashem all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." (12) And it came to pass, as she prayed long before Hashem, that Eli watched her mouth. (13) Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard. Therefore, Eli thought she was drunk. (14) And Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine from you." (15) And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Hashem. (16) Do not count your handmaid for a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation I have spoken until now." (17) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of Him." (18) And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate; and her countenance was not sad any more. (19) And they rose up early in the morning and worshipped before Hashem, and they returned and came to their house to Ramah; and Elkanah knew Hannah, his wife, and Hashem remembered her. (20) And it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived and bore a son; and she called his name Samuel, "because I have asked him of Hashem." (21) And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to Hashem the yearly sacrifice and his vow. (22) But Hannah 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 Hashem and abide there forever." (23) And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Do what seems good to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only may Hashem 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 bullocks and one ephah of meal and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of Hashem in Shiloh; and the child was young. (25) And when the bullock was slain, the child was brought to Eli. (26) And she said, "Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman that stood by you here, praying to Hashem. (27) For this child I prayed; and Hashem has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. (28) Therefore I also have lent him to Hashem; as long as he lives he is lent to Hashem." And he worshipped Hashem there.

Chapter 2

(1) And Hannah prayed, and said, "My heart exults in Hashem; my horn is exalted in Hashem. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. (2) There is none holy as Hashem, for there is none beside You. Neither is there any rock like our God. (3) Do not continue to speak so proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth. For Hashem is a God of knowledge, and by Him, actions are weighed. (4) The bows of the mighty men are broken; and they that stumbled are girded with strength. (5) Those that were full, have hired themselves out for bread; and those that were hungry have ceased. While the barren has born seven; she that had many children has languished. (6) The Lord kills, and makes live; He brings down to the grave, and brings up. (7) The Lord makes poor, and makes rich; He brings low, He also lifts up. (8) He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dung-hill, to make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Hashem's, and He has set the world upon them. (9) He will guard the feet of His holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness. For, not by strength shall man prevail. (10) Those that strive with Hashem shall be broken to pieces; against them He will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed." (11) And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child served Hashem before Eli the priest. (12) Now the sons of Eli were base men; they did not know Hashem. (13) And the custom of the priests with the people was, that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant came while the meat was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand, (14) and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up, the priest took with it. So they did to all the Israelites that came there, to Shiloh. (15) Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant came, and he said to the man that sacrificed, "Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not have boiled meat from you, but raw." (16) And if the man said to him, "Let the fat burn first, and then take as much as your soul desires", then he would say, "No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force." (17) And the sin of the young men was very great before Hashem; for the men dealt contemptuously with the offering of Hashem. (18) But Samuel served before Hashem, a child, belted with a linen ephod. (19) His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. (20) And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, "The Lord shall give you seed of this woman for the loan which was lent to Hashem." And they would go to their own home. (21) So Hashem remembered Hannah, and she conceived, and she bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before Hashem. (22) Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel and how that they lay with the women that served at the door of the Tent of Meeting. (23) And he said to them, "Why do you such things? For I hear evil reports concerning you from all these people. (24) No, my sons. For it is not a good report which I hear Hashem's people spreading about. (25) If one man sins against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sins against Hashem, who shall entreat for him?" But they did not heed the voice of their father because Hashem desired to kill them. (26) And the child Samuel grew up, and he increased in favor both with Hashem and also with men. (27) And a man of God came there to Eli and said to him, "Thus says Hashem, 'Did I not reveal Myself to the house of your father, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? (28) And did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to go up to My altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to your father's house all the offerings of the Children of Israel made by fire? (29) Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel, My people?' (30) Therefore Hashem, the God of Israel, says, 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father shall walk before Me forever'; but now Hashem says, 'It would be a sacrilege for Me! For they that honor Me, I will honor, and they that 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 your rival in My dwelling, in all the good which shall be done to Israel; and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. (33) Yet, I will not cut off every man of yours from My altar, to make your eyes dim and your heart languish; and all the increase of your house shall die young men. (34) And this shall be the sign to you, that shall come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall both die. (35) And I will raise up to Me a faithful priest, who 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 shall come to pass, that every one that 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, 'Put me, I pray you, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a morsel of bread.'"

Chapter 3

(1) And the child Samuel served Hashem before Eli. And the word of Hashem was precious in those days; visions were not frequent. (2) And it came to pass at that time, when Eli had laid down in his place, — now his eyes had begun to grow dim, that he could not see — (3) and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel had laid down to sleep in the temple of Hashem where the ark of God was, (4) that Hashem called to Samuel. He said, "Here I am." (5) And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; for you called me." And he said, "I did not call; lie down again." And he went and lay down. (6) And Hashem called yet again, "Samuel". And Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; for you called me." And he answered, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." (7) Now Samuel did not yet know Hashem; neither was the word of Hashem yet revealed to him. (8) And Hashem called Samuel again a third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am; for you called me." And Eli perceived that Hashem was calling the child. (9) Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and it shall be, if you are called, that you shall say, 'Speak, Lord; for Your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (10) And Hashem came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel." Then Samuel said, "Speak; for Your servant hears." (11) And Hashem said to Samuel, "Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, such that anyone who hears of it, both his ears shall tingle. (12) On that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from the beginning to the end. (13) For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, that his sons brought a curse upon themselves, and he did not rebuke them. (14) And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be expiated with sacrifice or offering forever." (15) And Samuel lay until the morning, and he opened the doors of the house of Hashem. And Samuel feared to tell Eli the vision. (16) Then Eli called Samuel, and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am." (17) And he said, "What is the thing that He has spoken to you? I pray you, do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide any thing from me of all the things that He spoke to you." (18) And Samuel told him all the words and hid nothing from him. And he said, "He is Hashem; let Him do what seems good to Him." (19) And Samuel grew, and Hashem was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. (20) And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Hashem. (21) And Hashem appeared again in Shiloh; for Hashem revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of Hashem.

Chapter 4

(1) And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle and encamped beside Eben-ezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. (2) And the Philistines set themselves up against Israel. When the battle had spread, Israel was smitten before the Philistines; and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. (3) And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Hashem smitten us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of Hashem out of Shiloh to us, that He may come among us and save us out of the hand of our enemies." (4) So the people sent to Shiloh, and they brought from there the ark of the covenant of Hashem of hosts, who sits upon the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. (5) And when the ark of the covenant of Hashem came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang. (6) And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" And they knew that the ark of Hashem had come into the camp. (7) And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into the camp." And they said, "Woe to us! For such a thing has not happened yesterday and the day before. (8) Woe to us! Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods that smote the Egyptians with all manner of plagues, and in the wilderness. (9) Be strong, and be like men, O you Philistines, that you not be servants to the Hebrews, as they have been to you; be like men and fight!" (10) And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and every man fled to his tent. And there was a very great slaughter; thirty thousand footmen fell from Israel. (11) And the ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. (12) And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army; and he came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes rent and with earth upon his head. (13) And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon his seat by the wayside watching; for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told it, all the city cried out. (14) And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, "What does the noise of this uproar mean?" And the man made haste and came and told Eli. (15) Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; and his eyes were set, that he could not see. (16) And the man said to Eli, "I am he that 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 that brought the news answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the people, and your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken." (18) And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off his seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck broke, and he died; for the man was old and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. (19) And his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, about to give birth; and when she heard the news that the ark of God had been taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth; for her pains came suddenly upon her. (20) And when the time of her death came, the women that stood by her said to her, "Fear not; for you have brought forth a son." But she did not answer and did she regard it. (21) And she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel"; because the ark of God had been taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. (22) And she said, "The glory has departed from Israel; for the ark of God has been taken."

Chapter 5

(1) Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Eben-ezer to Ashdod. (2) And the Philistines took the ark of God, and they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. (3) And when the Ashdodites arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Hashem. And they took Dagon and set him in his place again. (4) And when they arose early in the morning on the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of Hashem; the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off upon the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. (5) Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any that come into Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. (6) But the hand of Hashem was heavy upon the Ashdodites, and He destroyed them and smote them with hemorrhoids, Ashdod and its borders. (7) And when the Ashdodites saw that it was so, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for His hand is severe upon us and upon Dagon our god." (8) They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, "What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" And they answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried to Gath." And they carried the ark of the God of Israel there. (9) And it was so, that, after they had carried it, the hand of Hashem was against the city with a very great tumult; and He smote the men of the city, both small and great, and hemorrhoids broke out upon them. (10) So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought the ark of the God of Israel to us, to slay us and our people." (11) They therefore sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go back to its own place, that it not slay us and our people." For there was a deadly tumult throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. (12) And the men that did not die were smitten with the hemorrhoids; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

Chapter 6

(1) And the ark of Hashem was in the country of the Philistines seven months. (2) And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of Hashem? Tell us how we shall send it to its place." (3) And they said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty; but surely return a guilt-offering to Him. Then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand is not removed from you." (4) Then they said, "What shall be the guilt-offering which we shall return to Him?" And they said, "Five golden hemorrhoids and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on all of you and on your lords. (5) You shall make images of your hemorrhoids and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lighten His hand from upon you, and from upon your gods, and from upon your land. (6) Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had mocked them, did they not let the people go, and they departed? (7) Now, take and prepare a new cart and two nursing cows on which no yoke has come, and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them. (8) And take the ark of Hashem and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold which you return Him for a guilt-offering in a chest by its side. And send it away, that it may go. (9) And see, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that smote us; it was a chance that happened to us." (10) And the men did so; and they took two nursing cows and tied them to the cart, and they shut up their calves at home. (11) And they put the ark of Hashem upon the cart and the chest with the mice of gold and the images of their hemorrhoids. (12) And the cows took the straight way by the way to Beth-shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and they did not turn aside to the right or to the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth-shemesh. (13) And the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and they rejoiced to see it. (14) And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite and stood there. And there was a great stone there; and they cleaved the wood of the cart and offered up the cows for a burnt-offering to Hashem. (15) And the Levites took down the ark of Hashem and the chest that was with it, in which were the jewels of gold, and put them on the great stone; and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Hashem. (16) And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. (17) And these are the golden hemorrhoids which the Philistines returned for a guilt-offering to Hashem: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one. (18) And the golden mice were according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone upon which they set down the ark of Hashem, which remains to this day in the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite. (19) And He smote of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had gazed upon the ark of Hashem; He smote of the people seventy men and fifty thousand men. And the people mourned because Hashem had smitten the people with a great slaughter. (20) And the men of Beth-shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Hashem, this holy God? And to whom shall it go up from us?" (21) And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-Yearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Hashem; come down and bring it up to you."

Chapter 7

(1) And the men of Kiriath-Yearim came and brought up the ark of Hashem, and they brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Hashem. (2) And it came to pass, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-Yearim, that the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel yearned after Hashem. (3) And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to Hashem with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Hashem, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." (4) Then the Children of Israel put away the Baalim and the Ashtaroth and served Hashem only. (5) And Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray for you to Hashem." (6) And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Hashem, and fasted on that day; and they said there, "We have sinned against Hashem." And Samuel judged the Children of Israel in Mizpah. (7) And when the Philistines heard that the Children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the Children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. (8) And the Children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to Hashem our God for us, that He save us out of the hand of the Philistines." (9) And Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it for a whole burnt-offering to Hashem; and Samuel cried to Hashem for Israel, and Hashem answered him. (10) And as Samuel was offering up the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But Hashem thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines and confused them; and they were smitten down before Israel. (11) And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and they smote them until they came under Beth-car. (12) Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, "Until here Hashem has helped us." (13) So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel; and the hand of Hashem was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. (14) And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel delivered their borders out of the hand of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. (15) And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. (16) And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places. (17) And his return was to Ramah, for his house was there and there he judged Israel; and he built there an altar to Hashem.

Chapter 8

(1) And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. (2) Now the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba. (3) And his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain, and took bribes, and perverted justice. (4) Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel 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 Samuel, when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to Hashem. (7) And Hashem said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. (8) According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods, so they do also to you. (9) Now therefore heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly warn them and declare to them the manner of the king that shall reign over them." (10) And Samuel told all the words of Hashem to the people that asked him for a king. (11) And he said, "This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for 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 oliveyards, 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 menservants, and your maidservants, 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 will cry out on that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen for yourself; and Hashem will not answer you on that day." (19) But the people refused to heed the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No; but there shall be 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 Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he spoke them in the ears of Hashem. (22) And Hashem said to Samuel, "Heed their voice and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go, every man to his city."

Chapter 9

(1) Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. (2) And he had a son whose name was Saul, young and handsome, and there was not among the Children of Israel a more handsome person than he; from his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people. (3) Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul, his son, "Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys." (4) And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. And he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. (5) When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, "Come and let us return; lest my father stop caring for the donkeys and become anxious concerning us." (6) And he said to him, "Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he says surely comes to pass. Now let us go there; perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." (7) Then Saul said to his servant, "But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" (8) And the servant answered Saul again and said, "Behold, I have in my hand a quarter of a shekel of silver that I will give to the man of God to tell us our way." (9) Beforehand in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come and let us go to the seer"; for the prophet of today used to be called a seer. (10) Then Saul said to his servant, "Your words are good; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God 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. Make haste now, for he has come today into the city, for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. (13) As soon as you come into the city, you shall surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those that are invited eat. Now therefore get up; for at this time you shall find him." (14) And they went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out towards them, to go up to the high place. (15) Now Hashem had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, (16) "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel, and he shall save My people out of the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me." (17) And when Samuel saw Saul, Hashem spoke to him, "Behold the man of whom I spoke to you! This shall have authority over My people." (18) Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, "Tell me, I pray you, where the seer's house is." (19) And Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. (20) And as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them; for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father's house?" (21) And Saul answered and said, "Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family is the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin! Why, then, do you speak to me in this manner?" (22) And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the chamber, and made them sit at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. (23) And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, 'Set it by you.'" (24) And the cook took up the thigh and that which was upon it, and he set it before Saul. And he said, "Behold that which has been reserved! Set it before you and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. (25) And when they had come down from the high place into the city, he spoke with Saul upon the roof. (26) And they arose early; and it came to pass at about daybreak, that Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Rise, that I may send you away." And Saul arose, and they both went outside, he and Samuel. (27) As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on before us — and he went on — but you stand still at this time, that I may cause you to hear the word of God."

Chapter 10

(1) Then Samuel took the vial of oil and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, "Hasn't Hashem anointed you to be prince over His inheritance? (2) When you depart from me today, you shall find two men by the tomb of Rachel on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys which you went to seek are found; and, lo, your father has stopped caring for the donkeys and is anxious concerning you, saying, 'What shall I do about my son?' (3) Then you shall go on forward from there, and you shall come to the terebinth of Tabor, and there three men going up to God, to Beth-el, will meet you, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine. (4) And they will salute you and give you two cakes of bread which you shall receive of their hand. (5) After that you shall come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is; and it shall come to pass, when you have come there to the city, that you shall meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a lute, a tambourine, a pipe, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. (6) And the spirit of Hashem will come mightily upon you, and you shall prophesy with them, and you shall be turned into another man. (7) And let it be, when these signs have come to you, that you shall do as your hand finds; for God is with you. (8) And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down to you to offer burnt-offerings and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace-offerings. You shall wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you shall do." (9) And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came to pass that day. (10) And when they came there to the hill, behold, a band of prophets met him; and the spirit of God came mightily upon him, and he prophesied among them. (11) And it came to pass, when all that knew him from beforehand saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said one to another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" (12) And one of the men from there answered and said, "And who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (13) And when he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. (14) And Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go?" And he said, "To seek the donkeys; and when we saw that they were not found, we came to Samuel." (15) And Saul's uncle said, "Tell me, I pray you, what Samuel said to you." (16) And Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys were found." But concerning the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel spoke, he did not tell him. (17) And Samuel called the people together to Hashem to Mizpah. (18) And he said to the Children of Israel, "Thus says Hashem, the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' (19) But you have this day rejected your God, who Himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to Him, 'No, but set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before Hashem by your tribes and by your thousands." (20) So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken. (21) And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families, and the family of the Matrites was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they sought him, he could not be found. (22) Therefore they asked of Hashem further, "Has another man come here?" And Hashem answered, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage." (23) And they ran and fetched him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. (24) And Samuel said to all the people, "Did you see him whom Hashem has chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?" And all the people shouted, and said, "Long live the king." (25) Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before Hashem. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. (26) And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and the men of valor, whose hearts God had touched, went with him. (27) But certain base fellows said, "How shall this man save us?" And they despised him and did not bring him tribute. But he was as one who is silent.

Chapter 11

(1) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." (2) And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be gouged out; and I will make it a disgrace upon all Israel." (3) And the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days respite, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is none to deliver us, we will come out to you." (4) Then the messengers came to Gibeath-shaul and spoke these words in the ears of the people; and all the people lifted up their voice and wept. (5) And, behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, "What troubles the people that they weep?" And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. (6) And the spirit of God came mightily upon Saul 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 Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." And the dread of Hashem fell on the people, and they came out as one man. (8) And he counted them in Bezek; and the Children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. (9) And they said to the messengers that came, "Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.'" And the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. (10) And the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you." (11) And it was so on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it came to pass, that those that remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. (12) And the people said to Samuel, "Who is he that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men that we may put them to death." (13) And Saul said, "No man shall be put to death this day; for today Hashem has wrought deliverance in Israel." (14) Then Samuel said to the people, "Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there." (15) And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Hashem in Gilgal. And there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace-offerings before Hashem; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Chapter 12

(1) And Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and I have made a king over you. (2) And now, behold, the king walks before you; and I am old and gray-headed. 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 Hashem and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken? And whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded and whom have I oppressed? Of whose hand have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes with it? And I will restore it you." (4) And they said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us, and you have not taken anything from any man's hand." (5) And he said to them, "The Lord 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 Samuel said to the people, "It is Hashem that made Moses and Aaron and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. (7) Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Hashem concerning all the righteous acts of Hashem which He did to you and to your fathers. (8) When Jacob came into Egypt, your fathers cried to Hashem; and Hashem sent Moses and Aaron who brought forth your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place. (9) But they forgot Hashem their God, and He gave them over into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. (10) And they cried to Hashem, and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken Hashem and have served the Baalim and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.' (11) And Hashem sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelled in safety. (12) And when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us'; when Hashem your God was your king. (13) Now therefore behold the king whom you have chosen and whom you have asked for; behold, Hashem has set a king over you. (14) If you will fear Hashem, and serve Him, and heed His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Hashem, and both you and also the king that reigns over you follow Hashem your God—; (15) but if you will not heed the voice of Hashem, but rebel against the commandment of Hashem, then the hand of Hashem shall be against you and against your fathers. (16) Now therefore stand still and see this great thing which Hashem will do before your eyes. (17) Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call to Hashem that He may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Hashem, in asking for a king." (18) So Samuel called to Hashem; and Hashem sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people greatly feared Hashem and Samuel. (19) And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Hashem your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king." (20) And Samuel said to the people, "Fear not. You have indeed done all this evil; yet do not turn aside from following Hashem, but serve Hashem with all your heart. (21) Do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. (22) For Hashem will not forsake His people for the sake of His great name, for it has pleased Hashem to make you a people for Himself. (23) Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Hashem in ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. (24) Only fear Hashem, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. (25) But if you shall continue to do evil, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."

Chapter 13

(1) Saul was one year into his reign; and he reigned over Israel for two years. (2) And Saul chose three thousand men of Israel of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmas and in the mount of Beth-el, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeath-benjamin; and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent. (3) And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the horn throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear." (4) And all Israel heard that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also had made himself repugnant to the Philistines. And the people were gathered together after Saul to Gilgal. (5) And the Philistines assembled themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in multitude. And they rose and encamped in Michmas, eastward of Beth-aven. (6) When the men of Israel saw that they were in straits — for the people were distressed — then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in holds, and in pits. (7) Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. (8) And he waited seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people scattered from him. (9) And Saul said, "Bring to me the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings." And he offered the burnt-offering. (10) And it came to pass that, as soon as he had finished offering the burnt-offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. (11) And Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "Because I saw that the people had scattered from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together against Michmas. (12) Therefore I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down upon me to Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favor of Hashem', so I forced myself and offered the burnt-offering." (13) And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Hashem your God which He commanded you. For now Hashem would have established your kingdom upon Israel forever, (14) but now your kingdom shall not endure. Hashem has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and Hashem has appointed him to be prince over His people, because you have not kept that which Hashem commanded you." (15) And Samuel arose, and went up from Gilgal to Gibeath-benjamin. And Saul counted the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. (16) And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, were staying in Gibeath-benjamin; but the Philistines encamped in Michmas. (17) And the raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, (18) and another company turned the way to Beth-horon, and another company turned the way of the border that looks down upon the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. (19) Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears". (20) All the Israelites would go down to the Philistines, every man, to sharpen his plowshare, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. (21) And the price of the filing was a pim for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks with three teeth, and for the axes; and to set 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 Saul and Jonathan; but they were found with Saul and with Jonathan, his son. (23) And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmas.

Chapter 14

(1) Now it fell upon a day, that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man that bore his armor, "Come and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he did not tell his father. (2) And Saul waited in the uttermost part of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron; and the people that were with him were about six hundred men. (3) And Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of Hashem in Shiloh, was wearing an ephod. And the people did not know that Jonathan was gone. (4) And between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' 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 Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. (5) The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmas, and the other on the south in front of Geba. (6) And Jonathan said to the young man that bore his armor, "Come and let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that Hashem will work for us; for there is no restraint to Hashem to save by many or by few." (7) And his armor-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart; turn, behold I am with you according to your heart." (8) Then Jonathan said, "Behold, we will pass over to the men, and we will disclose 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 we will not go up to them. (10) But if they say thus, 'Come up to us', then we will go up, for Hashem has delivered them into our hand; and this shall be the sign for us." (11) And both of them disclosed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, "Behold, Hebrews are coming forth out of the holes where they hid themselves." (12) And the men of the garrison spoke to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." And Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, "Come up after me; for Hashem has delivered them into the hand of Israel." (13) And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armor-bearer after him. And they fell before Jonathan; and his armor-bearer slew them after him. (14) And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armor-bearer made, was about twenty men, within about 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 raiders, they also trembled. And the earth quaked; so it grew into a terror from God. (16) And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeath-benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went here and there. (17) Then Saul said to the people that were with him, "Count now, and see who has gone from us." And when they had counted, behold, Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there. (18) And Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring here the ark of God." For the ark of God was there at that time with the Children of Israel. (19) And it came to pass, while Saul talked to the priest, that the confusion that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased; and Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." (20) And Saul and all the people that were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle; and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great tumult. (21) Now the Hebrews that were with the Philistines beforehand, and that went up with them in the camp, all around, they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. (22) Likewise, all the men of Israel that had hidden themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, they also followed hard after them in the battle. (23) So Hashem saved Israel that day; and the battle passed on as far as Beth-aven. (24) And the men of Israel were distressed that day; but Saul adjured the people, saying, "Cursed is the man that eats any food until evening, until I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. (25) And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey upon the ground. (26) And when the people came to the forest, behold a flow of honey; but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath. (27) But Jonathan did not hear when his father charged the people with the oath. And he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened. (28) Then one of the people answered and said, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, 'Cursed is the man that eats food this day'; and the people are faint." (29) Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land; see, I pray you, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. (30) How much more, if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found, had there not been then a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?" (31) And they smote of the Philistines that day from Michmas to Aijalon; and the people were very faint. (32) And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood. (33) Then they told Saul, saying, "Behold, the people sin against Hashem, in that they eat with the blood." And he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a great stone to me this day." (34) And Saul said, "Disperse yourselves among the people, and say to them, 'Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and slay them here, and eat; and do not sin against Hashem in eating with the blood.'" And all the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and slew them there. (35) And Saul built an altar to Hashem; this was the first altar that he built to Hashem. (36) And Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and plunder them until the morning light. Let us not leave a man of them." And they said, "Do whatever seems good to you." Then the priest said, "Let us draw near here to God." (37) And Saul asked counsel of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer him that day. (38) And Saul said, "Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people; and know and see in what this sin has been this day. (39) For, as Hashem lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die." And not a man among all the people answered him. (40) Then he said to all Israel, "You be on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side." And the people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." (41) Therefore Saul said to Hashem, the God of Israel, "Declare the right." And Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot; but the people escaped. (42) And Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan, my son." And Jonathan was taken. (43) Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." And Jonathan told him, and said, "I did certainly taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." (44) And Saul said, "God do so and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan." (45) And the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far from it; as Hashem lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan, that he did not die. (46) Then Saul went up from following the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place. (47) So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment. (48) And he did valiantly, and he smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of those that plundered them. (49) Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. (50) And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. (51) And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. (52) And there was severe war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.

Chapter 15

(1) And Samuel said to Saul, "The Lord sent me to anoint you to be king over His people, over Israel; now therefore heed the voice of the words of Hashem. (2) Thus says Hashem of hosts, 'I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him on the way, when he came up out of Egypt. (3) Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'" (4) And Saul summoned the people, and counted them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah. (5) And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley. (6) And Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart; get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them, for you showed kindness to all the Children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. (7) And Saul smote the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is in front of Egypt. (8) And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. (9) But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and the fat calves, and the lambs, and all that was good, and they were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was of no account and feeble, that they destroyed utterly. (10) Then came the word of Hashem to Samuel, saying, (11) "I regret that I have set up Saul to be king; for he has turned back from following Me, and he has not performed My commandments." And it grieved Samuel; and he cried to Hashem all night. (12) And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told to Samuel, saying, "Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he is setting up a monument, and he went about, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal." (13) And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you to Hashem. I have performed the commandment of Hashem." (14) And Samuel said, "What then is the bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" (15) And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites, for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen to sacrifice to Hashem your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed." (16) Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stay, and I will tell you what Hashem has said to me this night." And he said to him, "Speak." (17) And Samuel said, "Though you are little in your eyes, are you not head of the tribes of Israel? And Hashem anointed you king over Israel. (18) And Hashem sent you on a journey, and said, 'Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' (19) Why then did you not heed the voice of Hashem, but flew upon the spoil, and did that which was evil in the sight of Hashem?" (20) And Saul said to Samuel, "Yes, I have heeded the voice of Hashem, and I have gone the way which Hashem sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. (21) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Hashem, your God, in Gilgal." (22) And Samuel said, 'Has Hashem as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as in heeding the voice of Hashem? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the word of Hashem, He has also rejected you from being king." (24) And Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Hashem and your words; because I feared the people and listened to their voice. (25) Now therefore, I pray you, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship Hashem." (26) And Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of Hashem, and Hashem has rejected you from being king over Israel." (27) And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, and it tore. (28) And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours that is better than you. (29) And also the Strength of Israel will not lie or regret; for He is not a man, that He should regret." (30) Then he said, "I have sinned; yet honor me now, I pray you, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship Hashem, your God." (31) So Samuel returned after Saul; and Saul worshipped Hashem. (32) Then Samuel said, "Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites." And Agag came to him in chains. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is at hand." (33) And Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel cut Agag in pieces before Hashem in Gilgal. (34) Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeath-shaul. (35) And Samuel never beheld Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul. And Hashem regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Chapter 16

(1) And Hashem said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Beth-lehemite; for I have provided a king for Myself among his sons." (2) And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And Hashem said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to Hashem.' (3) And call Jesse to the sacrifice and I will tell you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me him whom I say to you." (4) And Samuel did that which Hashem spoke and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Have you come in peace?" (5) And he said, "Peace. I have come to sacrifice to Hashem; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and called them to the sacrifice. (6) And it came to pass, when they had come, that he beheld Eliab, and said, "Surely Hashem's anointed is before Him." (7) But Hashem said to Samuel, "Do not look at his countenance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For it is not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but Hashem looks at the heart." (8) Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, "Neither has Hashem chosen this." (9) Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has Hashem chosen this." (10) And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, "The Lord has not chosen these." (11) And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your children here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and, behold, he keeps the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." (12) And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and of beautiful eyes, and handsome to look upon. And Hashem said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he." (13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the spirit of Hashem came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. (14) Now the spirit of Hashem had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Hashem terrified him. (15) And Saul's servants said to him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifies you. (16) Let our lord now command your servants, that are before you, to seek out a man who is a skilful player of the harp; and it shall be, when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well." (17) And Saul said to his servants, "Provide me with a man that 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 Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skillful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in affairs, and a handsome person, and Hashem is with him." (19) Therefore, Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me David, your son, who is with the sheep." (20) And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them with David, his son, to Saul. (21) And David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly; and he became his armor-bearer. (22) And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David, I pray you, stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight." (23) And it came to pass, when the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul found relief, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Chapter 17

(1) Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. (2) And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the valley of Elah, and set up battle against the Philistines. (3) And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side; and there was a valley between them. (4) And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. (5) And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. (6) And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. (7) And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam; and his spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. (8) And he stood and cried to the armies of Israel, and he said to them, "Why do you come out to set up your battle? Am I not a Philistine and you servants to Saul? Choose you a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. (9) If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us." (10) And the Philistine said, "I taunt the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together." (11) And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. (12) Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons; and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men. (13) And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. (14) And David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Saul. (15) Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. (16) And the Philistine drew near, morning and evening, and presented himself forty days. (17) And Jesse said to David his son, "Take now for your brothers an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. (18) And bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and to your brothers you shall bring greetings and take their pledge. (19) Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, are in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines." (20) And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and he took and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the barricade, as the host which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle. (21) And Israel and the Philistines set up battle, army against army. (22) And David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. (23) And as he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spoke the same words; and David heard them. (24) And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were very afraid. (25) And the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man that has come up? Surely he has come up to taunt Israel! And 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 Israel." (26) And David spoke to the men that stood by him, saying, "What shall be done to the man that kills this Philistine, and takes away the disgrace from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should have taunted the armies of the living God?" (27) And the people answered him after this manner, saying, "So shall it be done to the man that kills him." (28) And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumptuousness and the naughtiness of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle." (29) And David said, "What have I done now? Was it not but a word?" (30) And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke after the same manner; and the people answered him after the former manner. (31) And when the words which David spoke were heard, they told them before Saul; and he was taken to him. (32) And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail within him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." (33) And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth." (34) And David said to Saul, "Your servant kept 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 smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. (36) Your servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has taunted the armies of the living God." (37) And David said, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and Hashem shall be with you." (38) And Saul clothed David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clothed him with a coat of mail. (39) And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he tried to walk; for he had not tested it. And David said to Saul, "I cannot go with these; for I have not tested them." And David took them off him. (40) And he took his staff in his hand, and chose for himself five smooth stones out of the brook. And he put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, in his pack, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. (41) And the Philistine came nearer and nearer to David; and the man that bore the shield went before him. (42) And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy with a handsome countenance. (43) And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his god. (44) And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field." (45) Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Hashem of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. (46) This day Hashem will deliver you into my hand. I will smite you, and take your head from off you; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, (47) and that all this assembly may know that Hashem does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is Hashem's, and He will give you into our hand." (48) And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (49) And David put his hand in his bag, and took from there a stone, and slung it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth. (50) So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. (51) And David ran and stood over the Philistine, and he took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their mighty man was dead, they fled. (52) And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until you come to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron. (53) And the Children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. (54) And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent. (55) And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" And Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I cannot tell." (56) And the king said, "Inquire whose son the young man is." (57) And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. (58) And Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, you young man?" And David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite."

Chapter 18

(1) And it came to pass, when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (2) And Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father's house anymore. (3) Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. (4) And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his apparel, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. (5) And David went out; wherever Saul sent him, he had good success. And Saul set him over the men of war; and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants. (6) And it came to pass, when they came, as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments. (7) And the women sang one to another as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (8) And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands; all he lacks is the kingdom! " (9) And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. (10) And it came to pass on the next day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house. And David played with his hand, as he did day by day; and Saul had his spear in his hand. (11) And Saul cast the spear; for he said, "I will smite David even to the wall." And David stepped aside out of his presence twice. (12) And Saul was afraid of David, because Hashem was with him, and He had departed from Saul. (13) Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. (14) And David had great success in all his ways; and Hashem was with him. (15) And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in awe of him. (16) But all Israel and Judah loved David; for he went out and came in before them. (17) And Saul said to David, "Behold my elder daughter Merab, I will give her to you as a wife; only be valiant for me and fight Hashem's battles." For Saul said, "Let not my hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him." (18) And David said to Saul, "Who am I, and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?" (19) But it came to pass at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife. (20) And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David; and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. (21) And Saul said, "I will give her to him, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." Therefore Saul said to David, "You shall this day be my son-in-law through the one of the two." (22) And Saul commanded his servants, "Speak with David secretly, and say, 'Behold, the king is delighted in you, and all his servants love you; now therefore be the king's son-in-law.'" (23) And Saul's servants spoke those words in the ears of David. And David said, "Does it seem to you a light thing to be the king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?" (24) And the servants of Saul told him, saying, "In this manner David spoke." (25) And Saul said, "Thus shall you say to David, 'The king has no desire for a dowry, but for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines to be avenged of the king's enemies." For Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. (26) And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David to be the king's son-in-law. Before the days expired, (27) David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter as a wife. (28) And Saul saw and knew that Hashem was with David; and Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him. (29) And Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David's enemy continually. (30) Then the princes of the Philistines went forth; and it came to pass, that each time they went forth, David prospered more than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly esteemed.

Chapter 19

(1) And Saul spoke to Jonathan, his son, and to all his servants, that they should slay David; but Jonathan Saul's son greatly delighted in David. (2) And Jonathan told David, saying, "Saul my father seeks to slay you; now therefore, I pray you, take care in the morning, and stay 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 speak with my father about you; and if I see anything, I will tell you." (4) And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds has been very good towards you. (5) He put his life in his hand and smote the Philistine, and Hashem worked a great victory for all Israel! You saw it and rejoiced; why then will you sin against innocent blood, to slay David without cause?" (6) And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan; and Saul swore, "As Hashem lives, he shall not be put to death." (7) And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as beforehand. (8) And 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) And an evil spirit from Hashem was upon Saul, and he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing music with his hand. (10) And 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) And Saul sent messengers to David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning. Michal, David's wife, told him, saying, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you shall be slain." (12) So Michal let David down through the window; and he went, and fled, and escaped. (13) And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it on the bed, and put a quilt of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with a garment. (14) And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick." (15) And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, "Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him." (16) And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the quilt of goats' hair at its head. (17) And Saul said to Michal, "Why have you deceived me thus, and let my enemy go, that he has escaped?" And Michal answered Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go; why should I kill you?'" (18) Now David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and he told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelled in Naioth. (19) And it was told Saul, saying, "Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah." (20) And 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) And when it was told to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. (22) Then also he went 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) And he went there, 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) And he also stripped off his clothes, and he also prophesied before Samuel, and he lay down naked all that day and all that night. Therefore they say, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

Chapter 20

(1) And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and he came and said before Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity and what is my sin before your father that he seeks my life?" (2) And he said to him, "Far from it; you shall not die. Behold, my father does nothing, either great or small, without disclosing it to me; and why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so." (3) And David swore moreover, and said, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes; and he says, 'Let Jonathan not know this, lest he be grieved'; but truly as Hashem lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death." (4) Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever your soul desires, I will do it for you." (5) And David said to Jonathan, "Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, when I should sit with the king to eat; so let me go, and I will hide in the field until the third day at evening. (6) If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city; for it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the family.' (7) If he says thus: 'It is well'; then your servant shall have peace; but if he is angry, then know that evil is determined by him. (8) Therefore deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Hashem with you. But if there is in me iniquity, slay me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?" (9) And Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I should at all know that evil was determined by my father to come upon you, then would I not tell that to you?" (10) Then David said to Jonathan, "Who shall tell me if your father answers you roughly?" (11) And Jonathan said to David, "Come and let us go out into the field." And they both went out into the field. (12) And Jonathan said to David, "The Lord, the God of Israel! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow or the third day, behold, if there is good toward David, shall I not then send to you, and disclose it to you? (13) The Lord do so to Jonathan, 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 in peace. And may Hashem be with you, as He has been with my father. (14) And you shall not only show me the kindness of Hashem while I yet live, that I not die; (15) but you shall also not cut off your kindness from my house forever; no, not when Hashem has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." (16) So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, "The Lord will require it at the hand of David's enemies." (17) And Jonathan caused David to swear again in the love that he had for him, for he loved him as he loved his own soul. (18) And Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed; your seat will be empty. (19) And on the third day you shall hide yourself well, and come to the place where you hide yourself on the workday, and remain by the stone Ezel. (20) And I will shoot three arrows to the sideward, as though I shot at a mark. (21) And, behold, I will send the lad, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the lad, 'Behold, the arrows are on this side of you; take them', then come; for there is peace to you and no hurt, as Hashem lives. (22) But if I say thus to the boy, 'Behold, the arrows are beyond you', then go your way; for Hashem has sent you away. (23) And regarding the matter of which I and you have spoken, behold, Hashem is between me and you forever." (24) So David hid himself in the field; and when the new moon came, the king sat down to the meal to eat. (25) And the king sat on his seat, as at other times, on the seat by the wall; and Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. (26) Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, "It is a coincidence. He is unclean; surely he is not clean." (27) And it came to pass on the next day after the new moon, which was the second day, that David's place was empty; and Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why did the son of Jesse not come to the meal, neither yesterday nor today?" (28) And Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem. (29) And he said, 'Let me go, I pray you, for our family has a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he has commanded me. And now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, I pray you, and see my brothers.' Therefore he did not come to the king's table." (30) Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of perverse rebellion, don't I know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? (31) For as long as the son of Jesse lives upon the earth, you shall not be established or your kingdom. Therefore now send and fetch him to me, for he deserves to die." (32) And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said to him, "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" (33) And Saul cast his spear at him to smite him; and Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. (34) So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and he did not eat any food the second day of the new moon, for he was grieved for David, because his father had put him to shame. (35) And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him. (36) And he said to his lad, "Run, find now the arrows which I shoot." And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. (37) And when the lad came to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, "Is the arrow not beyond you?" (38) And Jonathan cried after the lad, "Make speed, hasten, do not stay." And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master. (39) But the lad did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the matter. (40) And Jonathan gave his weapons to his lad and said to him, "Go; carry them to the city." (41) And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the South, and fell on his face to the ground and bowed down three times. They kissed one another and wept one with another, until David exceeded. (42) And Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn, both of us, in the name of Hashem, saying, 'The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, forever."

Chapter 21

(1) And he arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city. (2) Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no man with you?" (3) And David said to Ahimelech the 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 the young men I have sent to such and such a place. (4) Now, what is under your hand? Five loaves of bread? Give them in my hand, or whatever is present." (5) And the priest answered David, and said, "There is no common bread under my hand, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women." (6) And David answered the priest and said to him, "Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days. When I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was but a common journey; how much more then today, when there shall be holy bread in their vessels?" (7) So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread that was taken from before Hashem, to be replaced by hot bread on the day when it was taken away. (8) Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Hashem; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul. (9) And David said to Ahimelech, "And is there perhaps here under your hand spear or sword? For I have not brought either my sword or my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste." (10) And the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you slew in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it; for there is no other except that here." And David said, "There is none like that; give it me." (11) And David arose and fled that day because of Saul, and he went to Achish the king of Gath. (12) And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'" (13) And David laid up these words in his heart and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath. (14) And he changed his demeanor before them, and he feigned himself mad in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spit fall down upon his beard. (15) Then Achish said to his servants, "Behold, you see a man that is mad; why do you bring him to me? (16) Do I lack madmen that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"

Chapter 22

(1) David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. (2) And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. (3) And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, "Let my father and my mother, I pray you, come forth and be with you until I know what God will do for me." (4) And he brought them before the king of Moab; and they dwelled with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. (5) And the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not abide in the stronghold; depart, and come to the land of Judah." Then David departed and came into the forest of Hereth. (6) And Saul heard that David was discovered, with the men that were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk-tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand; and all his servants were standing about him. (7) And Saul said to his servants that stood about him, "Hear now, you Benjamites. Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds? (8) For you have all conspired against me, and there was no one who disclosed to me when my son made a treaty with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?" (9) Then Doeg the Edomite, who was set over the servants of Saul, answered and said, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. (10) And he inquired of Hashem for him, and gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine." (11) Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob; and they all came to the king. (12) And Saul said, "Hear now, you son of Ahitub." And he answered, "Here I am, my lord." (13) And Saul said to him, "Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as it is this day?" (14) Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, "And who among all your servants is so trusted as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and does your bidding, and is honorable in your house? (15) Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? Be it far from me; let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, little or big." (16) And the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father's house." (17) And the king said to the guard that stood about him, "Turn, and slay the priests of Hashem, because their hand also is with David, 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 upon the priests of Hashem. (18) And the king said to Doeg, "You, turn and fall upon the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and he slew on that day eighty-five people that wore a linen ephod. (19) And Nob, the city of the priests, he smote with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and oxen and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword. (20) And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. (21) And Abiathar told David that Saul had slain Hashem's priests. (22) And David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul; I have brought about the death of all the persons of your father's house. (23) Stay with me. Do not fear, for he that seeks my life seeks your life. For you will be safe with me."

Chapter 23

(1) And they told David, saying, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are plundering the threshing-floors." (2) Therefore David inquired of Hashem, saying, "Shall I go and smite these Philistines?" And Hashem said to David, "Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah." (3) And David's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?" (4) Then David inquired of Hashem yet again. And Hashem answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand." (5) And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, and they brought away their cattle and slew them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. (6) And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. (7) And it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering a town that has gates and bars." (8) And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. (9) And David knew that Saul devised mischief against him, and he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring here the ephod." (10) Then David said, "O Lord, the God of Israel, Your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. (11) Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard?" O Lord, the God of Israel, I beseech You, tell Your servant." And Hashem said, "He will come down." (12) Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And Hashem said, "They will deliver you." (13) Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. And it was told to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; and he ceased from going forth. (14) And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and he remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. (15) And David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life; and David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in the wood. (16) And Jonathan Saul's son arose and went to David into the wood and strengthened his hand in God. (17) And he said to him, "Do not fear; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. And Saul, my father, also knows that." (18) And the two of them made a covenant before Hashem. And David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. (19) Then the Ziphites went up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Doesn't David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? (20) Now, O king, according to all the desire of your soul to come down, come down. And our part will be to deliver him up into the king's hand." (21) And Saul said, "May you be blessed by Hashem, for you have had compassion on me. (22) Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is and who has seen him there, for it has been told to me that he deals very subtly. (23) See therefore, and take knowledge of all the hiding places where he hides himself, and come back to me with the certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall come to pass, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah." (24) And they arose and went to Ziph before Saul; but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of Jeshimon. (25) And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David, so he came down to the rock and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. (26) And Saul went on this side of the mountain and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away because of Saul, for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them. (27) But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Make haste and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land." (28) So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. (29) And David went up from there and dwelled in the strongholds of En-gedi.

Chapter 24

(1) And it came to pass, when Saul returned from following the Philistines, that it was told to him, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi." (2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and he went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. (3) And he came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. (4) And the men of David said to him, "Behold the day in which Hashem has said to you, 'Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose, and he cut off the hem of Saul's robe secretly. (5) And it came to pass afterward that David's heart struck him because he had cut off Shaul's hem. (6) And he said to his men, "Far be it from me, from Hashem, that I should do this thing to my lord, Hashem's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Hashem's anointed." (7) So David checked his men with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way. (8) David also arose afterward and went out of the cave, and he cried after Saul, saying, "My lord the king." And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and prostrated himself. (9) And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to men's words, saying, 'Behold, David seeks to harm you?' (10) Behold, this day your eyes have seen how Hashem had delivered you today into my hand in the cave; and some said to kill you, but I spared you, and I said, 'I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is Hashem's anointed.' (11) Moreover, my father, look, yes, see the hem of your robe in my hand. For in that I cut off the hem of your robe and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my soul to take it. (12) May Hashem judge between me and you, and may Hashem avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be upon you. (13) As the proverb of the ancients says, "Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness"; but my hand shall not be upon you. (14) After whom does the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. (15) May Hashem therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand." (16) And it came to pass, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. (17) And he said to David, "You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt well with me, while I have dealt you evil. (18) And you have declared this day how you have done good to me; that Hashem had delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me. (19) For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May Hashem reward you good for that which you have done to me this day. (20) And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. (21) Swear now therefore to me by Hashem, 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 David swore to Saul. And Saul went home and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Chapter 25

(1) And Samuel died; and all Israel gathered themselves together and lamented him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. (2) And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. And the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats; and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. (3) Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was intelligent and of beautiful form, but the man was harsh and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. (4) And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. (5) And David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. (6) You shall say, 'Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. (7) And now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we did not harm them, and nothing was missing from them all the time they were in Carmel. (8) Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a good day; give, I pray you, whatever comes to your hand, to your servants and to your son David.'" (9) And when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and waited. (10) And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David? And who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays that break away each man from his master. (11) Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men whom I do not know from where they are?" (12) So David's young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words. (13) And David said to his men, "Each man, gird his sword." And each man girded his sword, and David also girded his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David; and two hundred stayed by the baggage. (14) And one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our master; and he flew upon them. (15) But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt and we did not miss anything all the time that 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 time we were with them keeping the sheep. (17) Now therefore know and consider what you will do, for evil is determined against our master and against all his house; for he is such a base fellow that one cannot speak to him." (18) Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and a 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 am coming 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 hidden part of the mountain, that, behold, David and his men came down towards her; and she met them. (21) Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him; and he has returned me evil for good. (22) God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light, so much as one who urinates on a wall." (23) And when Abigail saw David, she made haste and alighted from her donkey, and she fell before David on her face and bowed down to the ground. (24) And she fell at his feet and said, "Upon me, my lord, upon me be the iniquity; and let your handmaid, I pray you, speak in your ears, and listen to the words of your handmaid. (25) Let not my lord, I pray you, regard this base fellow, 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 lord, whom you sent. (26) Now, my lord, as Hashem lives, and as your soul lives, seeing Hashem has withheld you from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now, let your enemies and those that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. (27) And now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men that follow my lord. (28) Forgive, I pray you, the trespass of your handmaid; for Hashem will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the battles of Hashem; and evil is not found in you all your days. (29) And if a man rises up to pursue you and to seek your soul, may the soul of my lord be bound in the bundle of life, with Hashem your God; and may He sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling. (30) And it shall come to pass, when Hashem shall have done to my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and shall have appointed you prince over Israel; (31) that this shall not be a stumbling-block to you or offence of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. And when Hashem shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid." (32) And David said to Abigail, "Blessed be Hashem, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me; (33) and blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, that have kept me this day from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. (34) Indeed, as Hashem, the God of Israel, lives, who has withheld me from harming you, had you not made haste and come to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall." (35) So David received of her hand that which she had brought him; and he said to her, "Go up in peace to your house. See, I have listened to your voice and have accepted your person." (36) And Abigail 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 drunk, so she did not tell him anything, little or big, until the morning light. (37) And it came to pass in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. (38) And it came to pass about ten days after, that Hashem smote Nabal, so that he died. (39) And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be Hashem who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and has kept back His servant from evil. And the evil-doing of Nabal Hashem has returned upon his own head." And David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him as a wife. (40) And when the servants of David came to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, "David has sent us to you, to take you to him as a wife." (41) And she arose, and bowed down with her face to the earth, and said, "Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord." (42) And Abigail hastened, and arose, and rode upon a donkey, with five maids of hers that followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. (43) David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and both of them became his wives. (44) Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.

Chapter 26

(1) And the Ziphites came to Saul to Gibeah, saying, "Does not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?" (2) Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. (3) And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. (4) David sent out spies and knew that Saul had certainly come. (5) And David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. And David beheld the place where Saul lay with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host. Saul lay within the barricade, and the people encamped around him. (6) Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, "Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?" And Abishai said, "I will go down with you." (7) So David and Abishai came to the people by night. And, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the barricade, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him. (8) Then Abishai said to David, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day; now, let me smite him, I pray you, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time." (9) And David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put forth his hand against Hashem's anointed, and be guiltless?" (10) And David said, "As Hashem lives! For Hashem shall smite him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down into battle, and be swept away. (11) Far be it from me, from Hashem, that I should put forth my hand against Hashem's anointed; but now take, I pray you, the spear that is at his head and the cruse of water, and let us go." (12) So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head. And they got away; and none saw, and none knew, and none awoke. For they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from Hashem had fallen upon them. (13) Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them. (14) And David cried to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you that cries to the king?" (15) And David said to Abner, "Are not you a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came to destroy the king your lord. (16) This thing that you have done is not good. As Hashem lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, Hashem's anointed. And now, see, where is the king's spear and the cruse of water that was at his head?" (17) And Saul knew David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king." (18) And he said, "Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For, what have I done? And what evil is in my hand? (19) Now therefore, I pray you, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is Hashem that has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before Hashem, for they have driven me out this day that I should not cling to the inheritance of Hashem, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' (20) Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Hashem; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains." (21) Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly." (22) And David answered and said, "Behold the king's spear! Let one of the young men come over and fetch it. (23) And Hashem will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Hashem delivered you into my hand today, and I would not put forth my hand against Hashem's anointed. (24) And, behold, as your life was highly valued this day in my eyes, so let my life be highly valued in the eyes of Hashem, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation." (25) Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be you, my son David; you shall both surely do mightily and surely prevail." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

Chapter 27

(1) And David said in his heart, "Now, one day, I shall perish by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of seeking me any more in all the borders of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand." (2) And David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. (3) And David dwelled with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. (4) And it was told to Saul that David had fled to Gath; and he did not seek him anymore. (5) And David said to Achish, "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 dwell there; for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?" (6) Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day; therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day. (7) And the number of the days that David dwelled in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. (8) And David and his men went up, and made a raid upon the Geshurites, and the Gizrites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt. (9) And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the apparel. And he returned and came to Achish. (10) And Achish said, "Where have you made a raid today?" And David said, "Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites." (11) And David left neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, "Lest they should tell on us, saying, 'So did David, and so has been his manner all the time he has dwelled in the country of the Philistines.'" (12) And Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever."

Chapter 28

(1) And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their camps together for warfare to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, "Know assuredly, that you shall go out with me in the camp, you and your men." (2) And David said to Achish, "Therefore you shall know what your servant will do." And Achish said to David, "Therefore I will make you my bodyguard forever." (3) Now Samuel was dead, and all of Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had removed those that divined by a ghost or a familiar spirit from the land. (4) And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and they came and encamped in Shunem. And Saul gathered all of Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. (5) And when Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. (6) And when Saul inquired of Hashem, Hashem did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. (7) Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek for me a woman that divines by a ghost, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman that divines by a ghost at En-dor." (8) And Saul disguised himself, and put on other garments, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. He said, "Divine for me, I pray you, by a ghost, and bring up for me whomever I shall say to you." (9) And the woman said to him, "Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those that divine by a ghost or a familiar spirit out of the land; why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?" (10) And Saul swore to her by Hashem, saying, "As Hashem lives, no punishment shall come to you for this thing." (11) Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me." (12) And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul." (13) And the king said to her, "Do not be afraid; for what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a godlike being 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 Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and prostrated himself. (15) And Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" And Saul answered, "I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do." (16) And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, seeing Hashem has departed from you and has become your adversary? (17) Hashem has done for Himself as He spoke by me; and Hashem has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor, to David. (18) Because you did not heed the voice of Hashem, and you did not execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore has Hashem done this thing to you this day. (19) Moreover Hashem will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. Hashem will deliver also the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines." (20) Then Saul fell immediately his full length upon the earth, and he was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. And also there was no strength in him; for he had not eaten bread all day and all night. (21) And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was very frightened, and she said to him, "Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. (22) Now therefore, I pray you, you also listen to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you. 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, urged him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat upon the bed. (24) And the woman had a fattened calf in the house; and she made haste, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked of it unleavened bread. (25) And she brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.

Chapter 29

(1) Now the Philistines gathered together all their camps to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the fountain, which is in Jezreel. (2) And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish. (3) Then the princes of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews?" And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Isn't this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to this day?" (4) But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him. And the princes of the Philistines said to him, "Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have assigned 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 lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men? (5) Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?" (6) Then Achish called David and said to him, "As Hashem lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the camp 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 the lords do not favor you. (7) Therefore now return and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines." (8) And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" (9) And Achish answered and said to David, "I know that you are good in my sight as an angel of God; but the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.' (10) Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord that have come with you; and as soon as you have risen early in the morning and have light, depart." (11) So David rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Chapter 30

(1) And it came to pass, when David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South, and upon Ziklag, and had smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; (2) They had taken captive the women and all that were in it, both small and great; they did not slay any, but carried them off and went their way. (3) And when David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, had been taken captives. (4) Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept until they had no more power to weep. (5) And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. (6) And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in Hashem his God. (7) And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "I pray you, bring me here the ephod." And Abiathar brought there the ephod to David. (8) And David inquired of Hashem, saying, "Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue; for you shall surely overtake them, and shall without fail recover all." (9) So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed. (10) But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. (11) And they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David, and they gave him bread, and he ate; and they gave him water to drink; (12) and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit came back to him; for he had not eaten any bread or drunk any water three days and three nights. (13) And David said to him, "To whom do you belong? And from where are you?" And he said, "I am a young Egyptian, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days ago I fell sick. (14) We made a raid upon the South of the Cherethites, and upon that which belongs to Judah, and upon the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire." (15) And David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this troop?" And he said, "Swear to me by God, that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this troop." (16) And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread out over all the ground, eating and drinking and feasting, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and out of the land of Judah. (17) And David smote them from twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who rode upon camels and fled. (18) And David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. (19) And nothing was lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them; David brought back all. (20) And David took all the flocks and the herds which they drove before those other cattle, and said, "This is David's spoil." (21) And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made to stay at the brook Besor; and they went forth to meet David and to meet the people that were with him. And when David came near to the people, he saluted them. (22) Then all the wicked men and base fellows of those that went with David, answered and said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart." (23) Then David said, "You shall not do so, my brothers, with that which Hashem has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand. (24) And who will listen to you in this matter? For like the share of him that goes down to the battle, so shall be the share of him that stays by the baggage; they shall share alike." (25) And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day. (26) And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of Hashem": (27) to those that were in Beth-el, and to those that were in Ramoth of the South, and to those that were in Jattir; (28) and to those that were in Aroer, and to those that were in Siphmoth, and to those that were in Eshtemoa; (29) and to those that were in Racal, and to those that were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those that were in the cities of the Kenites; (30) and to those that were in Hormah, and to those that were in Bor-ashan, and to those that were in Athach; (31) and to those that were in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men used to go.

Chapter 31

(1) Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on mount Gilboa. (2) And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. (3) And the battle went heavily against Saul and the archers overtook him; and he was in great anguish because of the archers. (4) Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and pierce me through with it; lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me through and make a mockery of me." But his armor-bearer would not; for he was very afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell upon it. (5) And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. (6) So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together. (7) And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley and those that were beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelled in them. (8) And it came to pass on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on mount Gilboa. (9) And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent them around the land of the Philistines, 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 Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. (11) The inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard about him, about what the Philistines had done to Saul, (12) and all the valiant men arose and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. (13) And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.