Then the commandersof the Philistineswentout [to battle], and it happenedas oftenas they wentout, that Davidbehavedhimself morewiselythanallthe servantsof Saul.So his namewas highlyesteemed.
Then it happenedin the spring,at the timewhen kingsgoout [to battle], that DavidsentJoaband his servantswith him and allIsrael,and they destroyedthe sonsof Ammonand besiegedRabbah.But Davidstayedat Jerusalem.
"I have beenwith you whereveryou have goneand have cutoffallyour enemiesfrom beforeyou; and I will makeyou a greatname,like the namesof the greatmenwhoare on the earth.
So he againsentthe captainof a thirdfiftywith his fifty.When the thirdcaptainof fiftywentup, he cameand boweddownon his kneesbeforeElijah,and beggedhim and saidto him, "O manof God,pleaselet my lifeand the livesof thesefiftyservantsof yours be preciousin your sight.
Preciousin the sightof the LORDIs the deathof His godlyones.
I have moreinsightthanallmy teachers,For Your testimoniesare my meditation.
A manwill be praisedaccordingto his insight,But one of perversemindwill be despised.
As for everymatterof wisdomand understandingabout whichthe kingconsultedthem, he foundthem tentimesbetterthanallthe magicians[and] conjurerswho[were] in allhis realm.
for I will giveyou utteranceand wisdomwhichnoneof your opponentswill be ableto resistorrefute.
Thereforebe carefulhowyou walk,not as unwise menbut as wise,
And comingto Him as to a livingstonewhich has been rejectedby men,but is choiceand preciousin the sightof God,
Thisprecious value,then,is for you who believe;but for thosewho disbelieve,"THE STONEWHICHTHE BUILDERSREJECTED,THISBECAMETHE VERYCORNER[stone],"
then Saulwas evenmoreafraidof David.Thus Saulwas David'senemycontinually.
So Davidwentout whereverSaulsenthim, [and] prospered;and Saulsethim overthe menof war.And it was pleasingin the sightof allthe peopleand alsoin the sightof Saul'sservants.
When there was waragain,Davidwentout and foughtwith the Philistinesand defeatedthem with greatslaughter,so that they fledbeforehim.
"Thereforethe LORDGodof Israeldeclares,I did indeedsaythat your houseand the houseof your fathershould walkbeforeMe forever;but nowthe LORDdeclares,'Farbe it from Me-- for those who honorMe I will honor,and those who despiseMe will be lightlyesteemed.
Then Saulsaid,"I have sinned.Return,my sonDavid,for I will not harmyou againbecausemy lifewas preciousin your sightthisday.Behold,I have playedthe fooland have committeda seriouserror."
"Now behold,as your lifewas highlyvaluedin my sightthisday,somay my lifebe highlyvaluedin the sightof the LORD,and may He deliverme from alldistress."
