This eBook was produced by David Widger
with the help of Derek Andrew's text from January 1992
and the work of Bryan Taylor in November 2002.
Book 09 1 Samuel
09:001:001 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount
Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son
of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
09:001:002 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.
09:001:003 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to
sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were
there.
09:001:004 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to
Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters,
portions:
09:001:005 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah:
but the LORD had shut up her womb.
09:001:006 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her
fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
09:001:007 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house
of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did
not eat.
09:001:008 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest
thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved?
am not I better to thee than ten sons?
09:001:009 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after
they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post
of the temple of the LORD.
09:001:010 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD,
and wept sore.
09:001:011 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt
indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember
me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine
handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all
the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his
head.
09:001:012 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD,
that Eli marked her mouth.
09:001:013 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but
her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been
drunken.
09:001:014 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away
thy wine from thee.
09:001:015 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 have poured out my soul before the LORD.
09:001:016 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of
the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken
hitherto.
09:001:017 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel
grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
09:001:018 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So
the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was
no more sad.
09:001:019 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before
the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and
Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
09:001:020 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after
Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name
Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
09:001:021 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto
the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
09:001:022 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will
not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring
him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for
ever.
09:001:023 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee
good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD
establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck
until she weaned him.
09:001:024 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with
three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine,
and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the
child was young.
09:001:025 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.
09:001:026 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am
the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
09:001:027 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my
petition which I asked of him:
09:001:028 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he
liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the
LORD there.
09:002:001 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,
mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over
mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
09:002:002 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.
09:002:003 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out
of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him
actions are weighed.
09:002:004 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled
are girded with strength.
09:002:005 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and
they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born
seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
09:002:006 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the
grave, and bringeth up.
09:002:007 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and
lifteth up.
09:002:008 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the
beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to
make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the
earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
09:002:009 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be
silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
09:002:010 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of
heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the
ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.
09:002:011 And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did
minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest.
09:002:012 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the
LORD.
09:002:013 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any
man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the
flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his
hand;
09:002:014 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot;
all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself.
So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came
thither.
09:002:015 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and
said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the
priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
09:002:016 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the
fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth;
then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now:
and if not, I will take it by force.
09:002:017 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the
LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
09:002:018 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded
with a linen ephod.
09:002:019 Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to
him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to
offer the yearly sacrifice.
09:002:020 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give
thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the
LORD. And they went unto their own home.
09:002:021 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare
three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before
the LORD.
09:002:022 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all
Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the
door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
09:002:023 And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of
your evil dealings by all this people.
09:002:024 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make
the LORD's people to transgress.
09:002:025 If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but
if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him?
Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their
father, because the LORD would slay them.
09:002:026 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the
LORD, and also with men.
09:002:027 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus
saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy
father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?
09:002:028 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my
priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an
ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father
all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?
09:002:029 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which
I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons
above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the
offerings of Israel my people?
09:002:030 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy
house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for
ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that
honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be
lightly esteemed.
09:002:031 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the
arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man
in thine house.
09:002:032 And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation, in all the
wealth which God shall give Israel: and there shall not be an
old man in thine house for ever.
09:002:033 And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine
altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thine
heart: and all the increase of thine house shall die in the
flower of their age.
09:002:034 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy
two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die
both of them.
09:002:035 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do
according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I
will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine
anointed for ever.
09:002:036 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in
thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver
and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee,
into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of
bread.
09:003:001 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And
the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no
open vision.
09:003:002 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in
his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not
see;
09:003:003 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD,
where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
09:003:004 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
09:003:005 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst
me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and
lay down.
09:003:006 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and
went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And
he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
09:003:007 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of
the LORD yet revealed unto him.
09:003:008 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose
and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me.
And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
09:003:009 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be,
if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy
servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
09:003:010 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times,
Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant
heareth.
09:003:011 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in
Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it
shall tingle.
09:003:012 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have
spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an
end.
09:003:013 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for
the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made
themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
09:003:014 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the
iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor
offering for ever.
09:003:015 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the
house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
09:003:016 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he
answered, Here am I.
09:003:017 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto
thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and
more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things
that he said unto thee.
09:003:018 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And
he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.
09:003:019 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none
of his words fall to the ground.
09:003:020 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was
established to be a prophet of the LORD.
09:003:021 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed
himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.
09:004:001 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out
against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside
Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.
09:004:002 And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel:
and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the
Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four
thousand men.
09:004:003 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of
Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before
the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the
LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it
may save us out of the hand of our enemies.
09:004:004 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from
thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which
dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli,
Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant
of God.
09:004:005 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the
camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth
rang again.
09:004:006 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they
said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp
of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD
was come into the camp.
09:004:007 And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come
into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not
been such a thing heretofore.
09:004:008 Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these
mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with
all the plagues in the wilderness.
09:004:009 Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that
ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you:
quit yourselves like men, and fight.
09:004:010 And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they
fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great
slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
09:004:011 And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni
and Phinehas, were slain.
09:004:012 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to
Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon
his head.
09:004:013 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a 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.
09:004:014 And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said, What
meaneth the noise of this tumult? And the man came in hastily,
and told Eli.
09:004:015 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim,
that he could not see.
09:004:016 And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army,
and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there
done, my son?
09:004:017 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the
Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among
the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are
dead, and the ark of God is taken.
09:004:018 And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God,
that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the
gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man,
and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.
09:004:019 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near
to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark
of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband
were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came
upon her.
09:004:020 And about the time of her death the women that stood by her
said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she
answered not, neither did she regard it.
09:004:021 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed
from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of
her father in law and her husband.
09:004:022 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark
of God is taken.
09:005:001 And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from
Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
09:005:002 When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into
the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.
09:005:003 And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold,
Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of
the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.
09:005:004 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon
was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the
LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands
were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was
left to him.
09:005:005 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into
Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto
this day.
09:005:006 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he
destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and
the coasts thereof.
09:005:007 And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The
ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand
is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god.
09:005:008 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the
Philistines unto 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 about unto Gath. And they carried the
ark of the God of Israel about thither.
09:005:009 And it was so, that, after they had carried it about, the hand
of the LORD was against the city with a very great
destruction: and he smote the men of the city, both small and
great, and they had emerods in their secret parts.
09:005:010 Therefore 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 about the ark of the God
of Israel to us, to slay us and our people.
09:005:011 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the
Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel,
and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and
our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all
the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
09:005:012 And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and
the cry of the city went up to heaven.
09:006:001 And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines
seven months.
09:006:002 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners,
saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us
wherewith we shall send it to his place.
09:006:003 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel,
send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass
offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to
you why his hand is not removed from you.
09:006:004 Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we
shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and
five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the
Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
09:006:005 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of
your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the
God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off
you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
09:006:006 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and
Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully
among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
09:006:007 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on
which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart,
and bring their calves home from them:
09:006:008 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and
put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass
offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away,
that it may go.
09:006:009 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to
Bethshemesh, then he hath 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.
09:006:010 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to
the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
09:006:011 And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the
coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their emerods.
09:006:012 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh,
and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned
not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of
the Philistines went after them unto the border of
Bethshemesh.
09:006:013 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in
the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark,
and rejoiced to see it.
09:006:014 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and
stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the
wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto
the LORD.
09:006:015 And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer
that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put
them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered
burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto
the LORD.
09:006:016 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they
returned to Ekron the same day.
09:006:017 And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines
returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod
one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron
one;
09:006:018 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities
of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced
cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of
Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone
remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the
Bethshemite.
09:006:019 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked
into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty
thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented,
because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great
slaughter.
09:006:020 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before
this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
09:006:021 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim,
saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the
LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
09:007:001 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of
the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the
hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the
LORD.
09:007:002 And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim,
that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the
house of Israel lamented after the LORD.
09:007:003 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye
do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away
the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare
your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will
deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
09:007:004 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth,
and served the LORD only.
09:007:005 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray
for you unto the LORD.
09:007:006 And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and
poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and
said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged
the children of Israel in Mizpeh.
09:007:007 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel
were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines
went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard
it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
09:007:008 And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry
unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the
hand of the Philistines.
09:007:009 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt
offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD
for Israel; and the LORD heard him.
09:007:010 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the
Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD
thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the
Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten
before Israel.
09:007:011 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the
Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.
09:007:012 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen,
and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the
LORD helped us.
09:007:013 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into
the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the
Philistines all the days of Samuel.
09:007:014 And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel
were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the
coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the
Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the
Amorites.
09:007:015 And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
09:007:016 And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and
Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.
09:007:017 And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and
there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the
LORD.
09:008:001 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his
sons judges over Israel.
09:008:002 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his
second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
09:008:003 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after
lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
09:008:004 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together,
and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
09:008:005 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not
in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the
nations.
09:008:006 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a
king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
09:008:007 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the
people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not
rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not
reign over them.
09:008:008 According to all the works which they have done since the day
that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day,
wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do
they also unto thee.
09:008:009 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest
solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that
shall reign over them.
09:008:010 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that
asked of him a king.
09:008:011 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
himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some
shall run before his chariots.
09:008:012 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains
over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap
his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and
instruments of his chariots.
09:008:013 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to
be cooks, and to be bakers.
09:008:014 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your
oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his
servants.
09:008:015 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your
vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
09:008:016 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and
your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his
work.
09:008:017 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his
servants.
09:008:018 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye
shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that
day.
09:008:019 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel;
and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
09:008:020 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.
09:008:021 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed
them in the ears of the LORD.
09:008:022 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and
make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go
ye every man unto his city.
09:009:001 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son
of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of
Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
09:009:002 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and
a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a
goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was
higher than any of the people.
09:009:003 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said
to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and
arise, go seek the asses.
09:009:004 And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the
land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed
through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he
passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them
not.
09:009:005 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his
servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my
father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.
09:009:006 And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man
of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh
surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can
shew us our way that we should go.
09:009:007 Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what
shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels,
and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what
have we?
09:009:008 And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have
here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will
I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
09:009:009 (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus
he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now
called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)
09:009:010 Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So
they went unto the city where the man of God was.
09:009:011 And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young
maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the
seer here?
09:009:012 And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before
you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there
is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:
09:009:013 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find
him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people
will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the
sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now
therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
09:009:014 And they went up into the city: and when they were come into
the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up
to the high place.
09:009:015 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul
came, saying,
09:009:016 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the
land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over
my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand
of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because
their cry is come unto me.
09:009:017 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the
man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my
people.
09:009:018 Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me,
I pray thee, where the seer's house is.
09:009:019 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up
before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to
day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all
that is in thine heart.
09:009:020 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not
thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the
desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's
house?
09:009:021 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the
smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of
all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then
speakest thou so to me?
09:009:022 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into
the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among
them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.
09:009:023 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave
thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
09:009:024 And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it,
and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is
left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it
been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So
Saul did eat with Samuel that day.
09:009:025 And when they were come down from the high place into the
city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.
09:009:026 And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of
the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house,
saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and
they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.
09:009:027 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel
said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he
passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee
the word of God.
09:010:001 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head,
and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath
anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
09:010:002 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find
two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at
Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou
wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the
care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I
do for my son?
09:010:003 Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come
to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men
going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and
another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a
bottle of wine:
09:010:004 And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread;
which thou shalt receive of their hands.
09:010:005 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the
garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when
thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a
company of prophets coming down from the high place with a
psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them;
and they shall prophesy:
09:010:006 And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt
prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
09:010:007 And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou
do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.
09:010:008 And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I
will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to
sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou
tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.
09:010:009 And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from
Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came
to pass that day.
09:010:010 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of
prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he
prophesied among them.
09:010:011 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw
that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the
people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the
son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
09:010:012 And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their
father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the
prophets?
09:010:013 And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the
high place.
09:010:014 And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither
went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that
they were no where, we came to Samuel.
09:010:015 And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said
unto you.
09:010:016 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the
asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof
Samuel spake, he told him not.
09:010:017 And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;
09:010:018 And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God
of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you
out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all
kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:
09:010:019 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you
out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have
said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore
present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your
thousands.
09:010:020 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come
near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
09:010:021 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their
families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of
Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be
found.
09:010:022 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should
yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold he hath hid
himself among the stuff.
09:010:023 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among
the people, he was higher than any of the people from his
shoulders and upward.
09:010:024 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD
hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?
And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
09:010:025 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and
wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel
sent all the people away, every man to his house.
09:010:026 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a
band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
09:010:027 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us?
And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held
his peace.
09:011:001 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against
Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make
a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
09:011:002 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will
I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your
right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
09:011:003 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days'
respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of
Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come
out to thee.
09:011:004 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the
tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted
up their voices, and wept.
09:011:005 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and
Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they
told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
09:011:006 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those
tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
09:011:007 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent
them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of
messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and
after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear
of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one
consent.
09:011:008 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel
were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty
thousand.
09:011:009 And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say
unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun
be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed
it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
09:011:010 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out
unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto
you.
09:011:011 And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three
companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the
morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the
day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were
scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
09:011:012 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall
Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to
death.
09:011:013 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day:
for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
09:011:014 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal,
and renew the kingdom there.
09:011:015 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul
king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed
sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul
and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
09:012:001 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto
your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king
over you.
09:012:002 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and
grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have
walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
09:012:003 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and
before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have
I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or
of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes
therewith? and I will restore it you.
09:012:004 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us,
neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
09:012:005 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and
his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought
in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
09:012:006 And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced
Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the
land of Egypt.
09:012:007 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before
the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did
to you and to your fathers.
09:012:008 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto
the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought
forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this
place.
09:012:009 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them 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.
09:012:010 And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned,
because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and
Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies,
and we will serve thee.
09:012:011 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and
Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on
every side, and ye dwelled safe.
09:012:012 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon
came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign
over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
09:012:013 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye
have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
09:012:014 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice,
and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall
both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue
following the LORD your God:
09:012:015 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel
against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of
the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
09:012:016 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD
will do before your eyes.
09:012:017 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and
he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see
that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight
of the LORD, in asking you a king.
09:012:018 So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and
rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and
Samuel.
09:012:019 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants
unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto
all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.
09:012:020 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all
this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD,
but serve the LORD with all your heart;
09:012:021 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain
things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
09:012:022 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's
sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
09:012:023 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the
LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good
and the right way:
09:012:024 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your
heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
09:012:025 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both
ye and your king.
09:013:001 Saul reigned one year; and when he had reigned two years over
Israel,
09:013:002 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two
thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a
thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the
rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
09:013:003 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in
Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the
trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
09:013:004 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of
the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination
with the Philistines. And the people were called together
after Saul to Gilgal.
09:013:005 And the Philistines gathered 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 came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from
Bethaven.
09:013:006 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for
the people were distressed,) then the people did hide
themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in
high places, and in pits.
09:013:007 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad
and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the
people followed him trembling.
09:013:008 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that
Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the
people were scattered from him.
09:013:009 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace
offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
09:013:010 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of
offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul
went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
09:013:011 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I
saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou
camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines
gathered themselves together at Michmash;
09:013:012 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me
to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I
forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
09:013:013 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast
not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he
commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy
kingdom upon Israel for ever.