6 Now at that time, when Abiathar the son of Achimelech fled to David to Ceila, he came down having an ephod* with him.

7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Ceila: and Saul said: The Lord hath delivered him into my hands; and he is shut up, being come into a city, that hath gates and bars.

8 And Saul commanded all the people to go down to fight against Ceila, and to besiege David, and his men.

9 Now when David understood, that Saul secretly prepared evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest: Bring hither the ephod.

10 And David said: O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath heard a report, that Saul designeth to come to Ceila, to destroy the city for my sake: 11 Will the men of Ceila deliver me into his hands? and will Saul come down as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, tell thy servant. And the Lord said: He will come down. 12 And David said: Will the men of Ceila deliver me, and my men, into the hands of Saul? And the Lord said: They will deliver thee up.

13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose; and departing from Ceila, wandered up and down uncertain where they should stay: and it was told Saul that David was fled from Ceila, and had escaped: Wherefore he forbore to go out.

14 But David abode in the desert in strong holds: and he remained in a mountain of the desert of Ziph, in a woody hill. And Saul sought him always: but the Lord delivered him not into his hands.

15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life. And David was in the desert of Ziph, in a wood.

16 And Jonathan the son of Saul arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hands in God: and he said to him:

tain: and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain: and David despaired of being able to escape from the face of Saul: and Saul and his men encompassed David and his men round about to take them.

27 And a messenger came to Saul, saying: Make haste to come; for the Philistines have poured in themselves upon the land.

28 Wherefore Saul returned, leaving the pursuit of David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause, they called that place, the Rock of division.

CHAP. XXIV.

Saul seeketh David in the wilderness of Engaddi: he goeth into a cave where David hath kim in his power.

T

THEN David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds of Engaddi.

2 And when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, they told him, saying: Behold, David is in the desert of Engaddi.

3 Saul therefore took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went out to seek after David, and his men, even upon the most craggy rocks, which are accessible only to wild goats.

4 And he came to the sheep-cotes which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.

5 And the servants of David said to him: Behold the day, of which the Lord said to thee: I will deliver thy enemy unto thee, that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good in thy eyes. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

6 After which David's heart struck him, because he had cut off the hem of Saul's robe.

7 And he said to his men: The Lord be merciful unto me, that I may do no such thing to my 17 Fear not: for the hand of my father Saul master the Lord's anointed, as to lay my hand shall not find thee; and thou shalt reign over Is-upon him, because he is the Lord's anointed. rael; and I shall be next to thee: yea, and my father knoweth this.

18 And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood: but Jonathan returned to his house.

19 And the Ziphites went up to Saul in Gabaa, saying: Lo, doth not David lie hid with us in the strong holds of the wood, in mount Hachila, which is on the right hand of the desert.

20 Now therefore come down, as thy soul hath desired to come down: and it shall be our business to deliver him into the king's hands.

21 And Saul said: Blessed be ye of the Lord; for you have pitied my case.

8 And David stopped his men with his words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rising up out of the cave, went on his way.

9 And David also rose up after him: and going out of the cave, cried after Saul, saying: My lord the king. And Saul looked behind him: and David bowing himself down to the ground, worshipped,

10 And said to Saul: Why dost thou hear the words of men that say: David seeketh thy hurt?

11 Behold, this day thy eyes have seen, that the Lord hath delivered thee into my hand, in the cave; and I had a thought to kill thee; but my eye hath spared thee. For I said: I will not put out my hand against my lord, because he is the Lord's anointed.

22 Go therefore, I pray you, and use all diligence, and curiously inquire, and consider the place where his foot is, and who hath seen him there: for he thinketh of me, that I lie craftily in 12 Moreover see and know, O my father, the wait for him. hem of thy robe in my hand, that when I cut off 23 Consider and see all his lurking holes the hem of thy robe, I would not put out my wherein he is hid, and return to me with the cer- hand against thee. Reflect, and see, that there is tainty of the thing, that I may go with you. And no evil in my hand, nor iniquity: neither have I if he should even go down into the earth to hide sinned against thee: but thou liest in wait for my himself, I will search him out in all the thousands life, to take it away. of Juda.

24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: and David and his men were in the desert of Maon, in the plain at the right hand of Jesi

mon.

25 Then Saul and his men went to seek him: and it was told David; and forthwith he went down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon: and when Saul had heard of it, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

26 And Saul went on this side of the moun

*An ephod, or the ephod. That is, the vestment of the high priest, with the urim and thummim, by which the Lord gave his oracles.

13 The Lord judge between me and thee; and the Lord revenge me of thee:§ but my hand shall not be upon thee.

+ Heart struck him, viz. with remorse, as fearing he had done amiss.

A thought to kill thee. That is, a suggestion, to which I did not consent.

§ Revenge me of thee, or, as it is in the Hebrew, will revenge me. The meaning is, that he refers his whole cause to God, to judge and punish according to his justice: yet so as to keep himself in the mean time, from all personal hatred to Saul, or desire of gratifying his own passion, by seeking revenge. So far from it, that when Saul

14 As also it is said in the old proverb: From Isai? servants are multiplied now-a-days who the wicked shall wickedness come forth: there- flee from their masters. fore my hand shall not be upon thee. After whom dost thou come out, O king of Israel? 15 After whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

16 Be the Lord judge, and judge between me 12 So the servants of David went back their and thee, and see, and judge my cause, and de-way; and returning, came and told him all the liver me out of thy hand. words that he said.

14 But one of the servants told Abigail the 19 And thou hast shown this day what good wife of Nabal, saying: Behold, David sent mesthings thou hast done to me; how the Lord de- sengers out of the wilderness, to salute our maslivered me into thy hand, and thou hast not kill-ter; and he rejected them. ed me.

15 These men were very good to us, and gave 20 For who, when he hath found his enemy, us no trouble: neither did we ever lose any thing will let him go well away? But the Lord reward all the time that we conversed with them in the thee for this good turn, for what thou hast done desert. to me this day.

AND Samuel died: and all Israel was gather not her husband Nabal.

ed together, and they mourned for him, and buried him in his house in Ramatha. And David rose, and went down into the wilderness of Pha

9 And when David's servants came, they 28 Forgive the iniquity of thy handmaid: for spoke to Nabal all these words in David's name; the Lord will surely make for my lord a faithful and then held their peace.

6 David spoke to Achimelech the Hethite, and Abisai the son of Sarvia the brother of Joab, say33 And blessed be thou, who hast kept me to-ing: Who will go down with me to Saul into the day, from coming to blood, and revenging me with my own hand.

39 And when David had heard that Nabal was dead, he said: Blessed be* the Lord, who hath judged the cause of my reproach at the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: and the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his head. Then David sent and treated 13 And when David was gone over to the with Abigail, that he might take her to himself other side, and stood on the top of the hill afar for a wife. off, and a good space was between them,

come out to seek a flea, as the partridge is hunted||vid, and such was his proceeding all the days in the mountains. that he dwelt in the country of the Philistines. 12 And Achis believed David, saying: He hath done much harm to his people Israel: therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

21 And Saul said: I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will no more do thee barm, because my life hath been precious in thy eyes this day: for it appeareth that I have done foolishly, and have been ignorant in very many things.

22 And David answering, said: Behold the king's spear; let one of the king's servants come over and fetch it.

23 And the Lord will reward every one according to his justice, and his faithfulness: for the Lord hath delivered thee this day into my hand; and I would not put forth my hand against the

Lord's anointed.

24 And as thy life hath been much set by this day in my eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me from all distress.

25 Then Saul said to David: Blessed art thou, my son David: and truly doing thou shalt do, and prevailing thou shalt prevail. And David went on his way; and Saul returned to his place.

CHAP. XXVII.

David goeth again to Achis king of Geth, and obtaineth of him the city of Siceleg.

A

CHAP. XXVIII.

The Philistines go out to war against Israel. Saul being forsaken by God, hath recourse to a witch. Samuel appeareth to him.

AND it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered together their armies, to be prepared for war against Israel: and Achis said to David: Knowing now know thou, that thou shalt go out with me to the war, thou, and. thy men.

2 And David said to Achis: Now thou shalt know what thy servant will do. And Achis said to David: And I will appoint thee to guard my life for ever.

3 Now Samuel was dead: and all Israel mourned for him, and buried him in Ramatha his city. And Saul had put away all the magicians and soothsayers out of the land.

4 And the Philistines were gathered together, and came and camped in Sunam: and Saul also gathered together all Israel, and came to Gelboe. 5 And Saul saw the army of the Philistines, and was afraid; and his heart was very much dismayed.

ND David said in his heart: I shall one day or other fall into the hands of Saul: is it not better for me to flee, and to be saved in the land of the Philistines, that Saul may despair of me, 6 And he consulted the Lord: and he answerand cease to seek me in all the coasts of Israel? Ied him not, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor will flee then out of his hands. by prophets.

2 And David arose, and went away, both he and the six hundred men that were with him, to Achis the son of Maoch, king of Geth.

3 And David dwelt with Achis at Geth, he and his men; every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Achinoam the Jezrahelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel. 4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Geth: and he sought no more after him.

5 And David said to Achis: If I have found favour in thy sight, let a place be given me in one of the cities of this country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

6 Then Achis gave him Siceleg that day: for which reason Siceleg belongeth to the kings of Juda unto this day.

7 And Saul said to his servants: Seek me a woman that hath a divining spirit; and I will go to her, and inquire by her. And his servants said to him: There is a woman that hath a divining spirit at Endor.

8 Then he disguised himself, and put on other clothes: and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night; and he said to her: Divine to me by thy divining spirit, and bring me up him whom I shall tell thee.

9 And the woman said to him: Behold, thou knowest all that Saul hath done, and how he hath rooted out the magicians and soothsayers from the land: why then dost thou lay a snare for my life, to cause me to be put to death?

10 And Saul swore unto her by the Lord, saying: As the Lord liveth, there shall no evil hap

-7 And the time that David dwelt in the coun-pen to thee for this thing. try of the Philistines, was four months.

8 And David and his men went up, and pillaged Gessuri, and Gerzi, and the Amalecites: for these were of old the inhabitants of the countries, as men go to Sur, even to the land of Egypt.

9 And David wasted all the land, and left neither man nor woman alive; and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel; and returned, and came to Achis.

10 And Achis said to him: Whom hast thou gone against to-day? David answered: Against the south of Juda, and against the south of Jerameel, and against the south of Ceni.

11 And the woman said to him: Whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said; Bring me up Samuel.

12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice, and said to Saul: Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13 And the king said to her: Fear not: what hast thou seen? And the woman said to Saul: saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14 And he said to her: What form is he of? And she said: An old man cometh up, and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul understood that it was Samuel:† and he bowed himself with his face to the ground, and adored.

15 And Samuel said to Saul: Why hast thou 11 And David saved neither man nor woman, disturbed my rest, that I should be brought up? neither brought he any of them to Geth, saying: And Saul said, I am in great distress: for the PhiLest they should speak against us. So did Da-listines fight against me; and God is departed from

me, and would not hear me, neither by the hand of prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have call

* Pillaged Gessuri, &c. These probably were enemies of the people of God; and some, if not all of them, were of the number of those whom † Understood that it was Samuel. It is the God had ordered to be destroyed; which justifies more common opinion of the holy fathers, and inDavid's proceedings in their regard. Though it terpreters, that the soul of Samuel appeared inis to be observed here, that we are not under an deed: and not, as some have imagined, an evil spiobligation of justifying every thing that he did: rit in his shape. Not that the power of her magic for the scripture in relating what was done, doth could bring him thither, but that God was pleased, not say that it was well done. And even such as for the punishment of Saul, that Samuel himself are true servants of God, are not to be imitated should denounce unto him the evils that were in all they do. falling upon him. See Ecclesiasticus xlvi. 23.

ed thee, that thou mayst show me what I shall done, and what hast thou found in me thy servant, do. from the day that I have been in thy sight until 16 And Samuel said: Why askest thou me, this day, that I may not go and fight against the seeing the Lord has departed from thee, and is enemies of my lord the king? gone over to thy rival:

17 For the Lord will do to thee as he spoke by me: and he will rend thy kingdom out of thy hand, and will give it to thy neighbour David:

18 Because thou didst not obey the voice of the Lord, neither didst thou execute the wrath of his indignation upon Amalec. Therefore hath the Lord done to thee what thou sufferest this day.

19 And the Lord also will deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the Philistines: and to-morrow thou and thy sons shall be with me:* and the Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

20 And forthwith Saul fell all along on the ground: for he was frightened with the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all that day.

21 And the woman came to Saul (for he was very much troubled) and said to him: Behold, thy handmaid hath obeyed thy voice; and I have put my life in my hand: and I hearkened unto the words which thou spokest to me.

22 Now therefore hear thou also the voice of thy handmaid; and let me set before thee a morsel of bread, that thou mayst eat and recover strength, and be able to go on thy journey.

23 But he refused and said: I will not eat. But his servants and the woman forced him: and at length hearkening to their voice, he arose from the ground, and sat upon the bed.

24 Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she made haste, and killed it: and taking meal kneaded it, and baked some unleavened bread,

25 And set it before Saul, and before his servants. And when they had eaten they rose up, and walked all that night.

CHAP. XXIX.

of

Philistines were

David going with the Philistines is sent back by
their princes.
gathered together to Aphec: and Israel also
camped by the fountain which is in Jezrahel.
2 And the lords of the Philistines marched
with their hundreds and their thousands: but Da-
vid and his men were in the rear with Achis.

3 And the princes of the Philistines said to Achis: What mean these Hebrews? And Achis said to the princes of the Philistines: Do you not know David, who was the servant of Saul the king of Israel, and hath been with me many days, or years; and I have found no fault in him, since the day that he fled over to me until this day?

9 And Achis answering said to David: I know that thou art 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 arise in the morning, thou, and the servants of thy lord, who came with thee: and when you are up before day, and it shall begin to be light, go on your way.

11 So David and his men arose in the night, that they might set forward in the morning, and returned to the land of the Philistines: and the Philistines went up to Jezrahel.

CHAP. XXX.

The Amalecites burn Siceleg, and carry off the prey: David pursueth after them, and recovereth all out of their hands.

NO when David and his men were come to Siceleg on the third day, the Amalecites had made an invasion on the south side upon Siceleg, and had smitten Siceleg, and burnt it with fire:

2 And had taken the women captives that were in it, both little and great: and they had not killed any person, but had carried them with them, and went on their way.

3 So when David and his men came to the city, and found it burnt with fire, and that their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives,

4 David and the people that were with him, lifted up their voices, and wept till they had no more tears.

5 For the two wives also of David were taken captives, Achinoam the Jezrahelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel.

6 And David was greatly afflicted for the people had a mind to stone him, for the soul of every man was bitterly grieved for his sons and daughters; but David took courage in the Lord his God.

And

7 And he said to Abiathar the priest the son of Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I pursue after these robbers, and shall I overtake them, or no? And the Lord said to him: Pursue after them: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and recover the prey.

9 So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him; and they came to the torrent Besor: and some being weary stayed there.

10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred stayed, who being weary could not go over the torrent Besor.

4 But the princes of the Philistines were an- 11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, gry with him; and they said to him: Let this man and brought him to David: and they gave him return, and abide in his place, which thou hast ap-bread to eat, and water to drink,

pointed him: and let him not go down with us to 12 As also a piece of a cake of figs, and two battle, lest he be an adversary to us, when we bunches of raisins. And when he had eaten shall begin to fight: for how can he otherwise them, his spirit returned, and he was refreshed: appease his master, but with our heads? for he had not eaten bread, nor drunk water, three days and three nights.

5 Is not this David, to whom they sung in their dances, saying: Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

6 Then Achis called David, and said to him: As the Lord liveth, thou art upright and good in my sight: and so is thy going out, and thy coming in with me in the army: and I have not found any evil in thee, since the day that thou camest to me unto this day: but thou pleasest not the lords. 7 Return therefore, and go in peace; and offend not the eyes of the princes of the Philistines. 8 And David said to Achis: But what have *With me. That is, in the state of the dead, and in another world, though not in the same place.

I

13 And David said to him: To whom dost thou belong? or whence dost thou come? and whither art thou going? He said: I am a young man of Egypt, the servant of an Amalecite: and my master left me, because I began to be sick three days ago.

14 For we made an invasion on the south side of Cerethi, and upon Juda, and upon the south of Caleb: and we burnt Siceleg with fire.

15 And David said to him: Canst thou bring me to this company? And he said: Swear to me by God, that thou wilt not kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee to this company. And David swore to him.

16 And when he had brought him, behold,