Samuel continued to grow, and the Lord was with him. None of his prophecies fell to the ground unfulfilled.

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes looked straight ahead; he was unable to see.

The people who did not die were struck with sores; the city’s cry for help went all the way up to heaven.

But his sons did not follow his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice.

But the people refused to heed Samuel’s warning. Instead they said, “No! There will be a king over us!

Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Instead you have greedily rushed upon the plunder! You have done what is wrong in the Lord’s estimation.”

Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”

Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house.

(Now the servant did not understand any of this. Only Jonathan and David knew what was going on.)

May the Lord judge between the two of us, and may the Lord vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you.

It’s like the old proverb says: ‘From evil people evil proceeds.’ But my hand will not be against you.

and said to her servants, “Go on ahead of me. I will come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

When Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he did not mount a new search for him.

So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him – not by dreams nor by Urim nor by the prophets.

So turn and leave in peace. You must not do anything that the leaders of the Philistines consider improper!”

David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”

Saul and Jonathan were greatly loved during their lives, and not even in their deaths were they separated. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

Ish-bosheth was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.

Now Michal, Saul’s daughter, had no children to the day of her death.

But my loyal love will not be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.