"Nowtherefore, pleaselet my lordthe kinglistento the wordsof his servant.Ifthe LORDhas stirredyou up against me, let Him acceptan offering;but ifit is men,cursedare they beforethe LORD,for they have drivenme out todaysothat I would have noattachmentwith the inheritanceof the LORD,saying,'Go,serveothergods.'
Then Judahapproachedhim, and said,"Ohmy lord,may your servantpleasespeaka wordin my lord'sears,and do not be angrywith your servant;for you are equal to Pharaoh.
The LORDsmelledthe soothingaroma;and the LORDsaidto Himself,"I will neveragaincursethe groundon accountof man,for the intentof man'sheartis evilfrom his youth;and I will neveragaindestroyeverylivingthing,as I have done.
For the kingwill hearand deliverhis maidservantfrom the handof the manwho would destroybothme and my sonfrom the inheritanceof God.'
But the kingsaid,"Whathave I to do with you, O sonsof Zeruiah?Ifhe curses,and ifthe LORDhas toldhim, 'CurseDavid,'then whoshall say,'Whyhave you doneso?'"
Then Davidsaidto Abishaiand to allhis servants,"Behold,my sonwhocameout from me seeksmy life;howmuchmorenowthis Benjamite?Lethim aloneand let him curse,for the LORDhas toldhim.
"I am of those who are peaceable[and] faithfulin Israel.You are seekingto destroya city,even a motherin Israel.Whywould you swallowup the inheritanceof the LORD?"
Thus Davidsaidto the Gibeonites,"Whatshould I dofor you? And howcan I makeatonementthat you may blessthe inheritanceof the LORD?"
Now againthe angerof the LORDburnedagainst Israel,and it incitedDavidagainst them to say,"Go,numberIsraeland Judah."
"The LORDsaidto him, 'How?'And he said,'I will goout and be a deceivingspiritin the mouthof allhis prophets.'Then He said,'You are to entice[him] and alsoprevail.Goand doso.'
Then Satanstoodup againstIsraeland movedDavidto numberIsrael.
Woeis me, for I sojournin Meshech,For I dwellamongthe tentsof Kedar!
May He grantyou your heart'sdesire And fulfillallyour counsel!
Do not slandera slaveto his master,Orhe will curseyou and you will be foundguilty.
"Thenyou will seeand be radiant,And your heartwill thrilland rejoice;Becausethe abundanceof the seawill be turnedto you, The wealthof the nationswill cometo you.
I will laywasteyour citiesas well and will makeyour sanctuariesdesolate,and I will not smellyour soothingaromas.
"Thus noinheritanceof the sonsof Israelshall be transferredfrom tribeto tribe,for the sonsof Israelshall eachholdto the inheritanceof the tribeof his fathers.
"Thus noinheritanceshall be transferredfrom one tribeto anothertribe,for the tribesof the sonsof Israelshall eachholdto his own inheritance."
For ifbecauseof foodyour brotheris hurt,you are no longerwalkingaccordingto love.Do not destroywith your foodhim for whomChristdied.
I wishthat thosewho are troublingyou would evenmutilatethemselves.
you shall not listento the wordsof that prophetorthat dreamerof dreams;for the LORDyour Godis testingyou to findout if you lovethe LORDyour Godwith allyour heartand with allyour soul.
Alexanderthe coppersmithdidme muchharm;the Lordwill repayhim accordingto his deeds.
Now it cameabout on the nextdaythat an evilspiritfrom Godcamemightilyupon Saul,and he ravedin the midstof the house,while Davidwas playing[the harp] with his hand,as usual;and a spear[was] in Saul'shand.
Davidsaidto Saul,"Whydo you listento the wordsof men,saying,'Behold,Davidseeksto harmyou'?
She fellat his feetand said,"On me alone,my lord,be the blame.And pleaselet your maidservantspeakto you, and listento the wordsof your maidservant.
Then Davidsaidto himself,"NowI will perishonedayby the handof Saul.Thereis nothingbetterfor me thanto escapeinto the landof the Philistines.Saulthen will despairof searchingfor me anymorein allthe territoryof Israel,and I will escapefrom his hand."
