Old Testament

New Testament

1 Samuel 19:1-12 Modern English Version (MEV)

1. And Saul spoke to Jonathan, his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted very much in David.

2. Jonathan told David, saying, “My father Saul seeks to kill you. Therefore, be on guard in the morning; 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. Then I will speak about you to my father, and what I observe I will report to you.”

4. Jonathan spoke positively of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Do not let the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been very good toward you.

5. For he took his life in his hand and struck down the Philistine, and the Lord made a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Now why then would you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without cause?”

6. So Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and Saul vowed, “As the Lord lives, he will not be killed.”

7. Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as previously.

8. Then there was war again, and David went out and fought with the Philistines. He slew them with a great slaughter and they fled from him.

9. Now an evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre.

10. Then Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he escaped from Saul’s presence. He struck the spear into the wall. But David fled and escaped that night.

11. Saul also sent messengers to the house of David, to watch him and to slay him in the morning. But Michal, wife of David, told him, saying, “If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead.”

12. So Michal let David down through a window, and he went and fled to safety.

Read complete chapter 1 Samuel 19