Now David had run away and escaped. He went to Samuel in Ramah and told him everything that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed at Naioth.

When it was reported to Saul, he sent more messengers, but they prophesied too. So Saul sent messengers a third time, but they also prophesied.

Jonathan said, “Far be it from you to suggest this! If I were at all aware that my father had decided to harm you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?”

Go and make further arrangements. Determine precisely where he is and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.

David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down the road.

When David finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” Then Saul wept loudly.

You have explained today how you have treated me well. The Lord delivered me into your hand, but you did not kill me.

These men were very good to us. They did not insult us, nor did we sustain any loss during the entire time we were together in the field.

The Lord will do for my lord everything that he promised you, and he will make you a leader over Israel.

Praised be your good judgment! May you yourself be rewarded for having prevented me this day from shedding blood and taking matters into my own hands!

Then David took from her hand what she had brought to him. He said to her, “Go back to your home in peace. Be assured that I have listened to you and responded favorably.”

Now the woman had a well-fed calf at her home that she quickly slaughtered. Taking some flour, she kneaded bread and baked it without leaven.

Then they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave him bread to eat and water to drink.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip loot from the corpses, they discovered Saul and his three sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa.

Therefore you are great, O Lord God, for there is none like you! There is no God besides you! What we have heard is true!

King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued,

So the Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to David, Nathan said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

Then Absalom went to the king and said, “My shearers have begun their work. Let the king and his servants go with me.”

Just as he finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived, wailing and weeping. The king and all his servants wept loudly as well.

So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, “If he is by himself, he brings good news.” The runner came ever closer.