1 Samuel 19:1-10

Saul Seeks to Kill David

19¹ Saul called his son Jonathan together with his servants and ordered them to kill David. But because Jonathan treasured David, ² he went and warned him: "My father is looking for a way to kill you. Here's what you are to do. Tomorrow morning, hide and stay hidden. ³ I'll go out with my father into the field where you are hiding. I'll talk about you with my father and we'll see what he says. Then I'll report back to you." ⁴ Jonathan brought up David with his father, speaking well of him. "Please," he said to his father, "don't attack David. He hasn't wronged you, has he? And just look at all the good he has done! ⁵ He put his life on the line when he killed the Philistine. What a great victory God gave Israel that day! You were there. You saw it and were on your feet applauding with everyone else. So why would you even think of sinning against an innocent person, killing David for no reason whatever?" ⁶ Saul listened to Jonathan and said, "You're right. As God lives, David lives. He will not be killed." ⁷ Jonathan sent for David and reported to him everything that was said. Then he brought David back to Saul and everything was as it was before.

⁸ War broke out again and David went out to fight Philistines. He beat them badly, and they ran for their lives. ⁹ But then a black mood from God settled over Saul and took control of him. He was sitting at home, his spear in his hand, while David was playing music. ¹⁰ Suddenly, Saul tried to skewer David with his spear, but David ducked. The spear stuck in the wall and David got away. It was night.