Saul Tries to Kill David
(Psalm 59:1–17)

1Then Saul (desired) ordered his son Jonathan (YHWH has given) and all his servants to kill David (beloved).

But Jonathan delighted greatly in David, 2so he (YHWH has given) warned David (beloved), saying, “My father Saul (desired) intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. 3I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, so I can ask about you. And if I find out anything, I will tell you.”

4Then Jonathan (YHWH has given) spoke well of David (beloved) to his father Saul (desired) and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. 5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine (immigrants), and the LORD {YHWH} worked a great salvation for all Israel (he wrestles with God). You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David (beloved) for no reason?”

6Saul (desired) listened to the voice of Jonathan (YHWH has given) and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD {YHWH} lives, David will not be put to death.”

7So Jonathan (YHWH has given) summoned David (beloved) and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul (desired), and David was with Saul as before.

8When war broke out again, David (beloved) went out and fought the Philistines (immigrants) and struck them with such a mighty blow that they fled before him.

9But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit {ruach} of distress (a harmful spirit)a from the LORD {YHWH} came upon him (desired). While David (beloved) was playing the harp, 10Saul (desired) tried to pin him (beloved) to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

11Then Saul (desired) sent messengers to David’s (beloved) house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal (who is like God) warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” 12So Michal (who is like God) lowered David (beloved) from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

13Then Michal (who is like God) took a household idol (a household god)b and laid it in the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. 14When Saul (desired) sent the messengers to seize David (beloved), Michal said, “He is ill.”

15But Saul (desired) sent the messengers back to see David (beloved) and told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so I can kill him.” 16And when the messengers entered, there was the idol in the bed with the goat hair on its head.

17And Saul (desired) said to Michal (who is like God), “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!”

Michal replied, “He said to me, ‘Help me get away, or I will kill you!’”

18So David (beloved) ran away and escaped. And he went to Samuel (his name is El) at Ramah (hill) and told him all that Saul (desired) had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there (habitations).

19When Saul (desired) was told that David (beloved) was at Naioth (habitations) in Ramah (hill), 20he (desired) sent messengers to seize him (beloved). But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel (his name is El) leading them, the Spirit of God {Ruach Elohim} came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.

21When this was reported to Saul (desired), he sent more messengers, but they began to prophesy as well.

So Saul tried again and sent messengers a third time, and even they began to prophesy.

22Finally, Saul himself left for Ramah (hill) and came to the large cistern at Secu (the watch-tower), where he asked, “Where are Samuel (his name is El) and David (beloved)?”

“At Naioth (habitations) in Ramah,” he was told.

23So Saul went to Naioth (habitations) in Ramah (hill). But the Spirit of God {Ruach Elohim} came upon even Saul, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24Then Saul stripped off his robes and also prophesied before Samuel (his name is El). And he collapsed and lay naked all that day and night. That is why it is said, “Is Saul (desired) also among the prophets?”