1 Samuel 24 שְׁמוּאֵל א פרק כ״ד

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Samuel 24 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיַּעַלvay/YA/aland went upדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמִשָּׁםmish/SHAMfrom thereוַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand stayedבִּמְצָדוֹתbim/tsa/DOTin the strongholds ofעֵין־גֶּדִי׃En-GE/diEn-gedi

   And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.

2. 2

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERwhenשָׁבshavhad returnedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמֵאַחֲרֵיme/a/cha/REfrom followingפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesוַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duthat they toldלוֹlohimלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdדָוִדDa/VIDDavidבְּמִדְבַּרbe/mid/BARin the wilderness ofעֵיןEnEn-גֶּדִי׃GE/digedi

   And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.

3. 3

   וַיִּקַּחvay/yik/KACHand tookשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulשְׁלֹשֶׁתshe/LO/shetthreeאֲלָפִיםa/la/FIMthousandאִישׁishmenבָּחוּרba/CHURchosenמִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵלmik/KOL-yis/ra/ELout of all Israelוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentלְבַקֵּשׁle/vak/KESHto seekאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menעַל־פְּנֵיal-pe/NEin front ofצוּרֵיTsu/REthe Rocks ofהַיְּעֵלִים׃hay/Ye/e/LIMthe Wild Goats

   Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

4. 4

   וַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand cameאֶל־גִּדְרוֹתel-gid/ROTto the sheepfolds ofהַצֹּאןhats/TSONthe sheepעַל־הַדֶּרֶךְal-had/DE/rekhby the wayוְשָׁםve/SHAMwhere wasמְעָרָהme/a/RAa caveוַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand went inשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלְהָסֵךְle/ha/SEKHto coverאֶת־רַגְלָיוet-rag/LAYVhis feetוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menבְּיַרְכְּתֵיbe/yar/ke/TEin the innermost parts ofהַמְּעָרָהham/me/a/RAthe caveיֹשְׁבִים׃yosh/VIMwere sitting

   And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

5. 5

   וַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand saidאַנְשֵׁיan/SHEthe men ofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdהַיּוֹםhay/YOMthe dayאֲשֶׁר־אָמַרa/SHER-a/MARof which saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֵלֶיךָe/LE/khato youהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdאָנֹכִיa/no/KHIIנֹתֵןno/TENam givingאֶת־[אֹיִבְךָ]et-o/yiv/KHAyour enemy(איביך)yavayakhבְּיָדֶךָbe/ya/DE/khainto your handוְעָשִׂיתָve/a/SI/taand you shall doלּוֹloto himכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasיִטַבyi/TAVseems goodבְּעֵינֶיךָbe/e/NE/khain your eyesוַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיִּכְרֹתvay/yikh/ROTand cut offאֶת־כְּנַף־הַמְּעִילet-ke/NAF-ham/me/ILthe skirt of the robeאֲשֶׁר־לְשָׁאוּלa/SHER-Le/sha/ULthat was Saul’sבַּלָּט׃bal/LATsecretly

   And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

6. 6

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passאַחֲרֵי־כֵןa/cha/RE-khenafterwardוַיַּךְvay/YAKHthat struckלֵב־דָּוִדLev-da/VIDDavid's heartאֹתוֹo/TOhimעַלalbecauseאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatכָּרַתka/RAThe had cut offאֶת־כָּנָףet-ka/NAFthe skirtאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat wasלְשָׁאוּל׃Le/sha/ULSaul's

   And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

7. 7

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלַאֲנָשָׁיוla/a/na/SHAYVto his menחָלִילָהcha/LI/lafar be itלִּיlifrom meמֵיְהֹוָהme-Adonaibefore the LORDאִם־אֶעֱשֶׂהim-e/e/SEthat I should doאֶת־הַדָּבָרet-had/da/VARthe thingהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisלַאדֹנִיla/do/NIto my lordלִמְשִׁיחַlim/SHI/achthe anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDלִשְׁלֹחַlish/LO/achto put forthיָדִיya/DImy handבּוֹboagainst himכִּי־מְשִׁיחַki-me/SHI/achfor the anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDהוּא׃huhe is

   And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

8. 8

   וַיְשַׁסַּעvay/shas/SAso restrainedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶת־אֲנָשָׁיוet-a/na/SHAYVhis menבַּדְּבָרִיםbad/de/va/RIMwith wordsוְלֹאve/LOand notנְתָנָםne/ta/NAMdid let themלָקוּםla/KUMriseאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULagainst Saulוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULbut Saulקָםkamrose upמֵהַמְּעָרָהme/ham/me/a/RAfrom the caveוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentבַּדָּרֶךְ׃bad/DA/rekhon his way

   So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.

9. 9

   וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאַחֲרֵי־כֵןa/cha/RE-khenafterwardוַיֵּצֵאvay/ye/TSEand went out(מןmanהמערה)hamrah[מֵהַמְּעָרָה]me/ham/me/a/RAout of the caveוַיִּקְרָאvay/yik/RAand calledאַחֲרֵי־שָׁאוּלa/cha/RE-Sha/ULafter Saulלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingאֲדֹנִיa/do/NImy lordהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוַיַּבֵּטvay/yab/BETand when lookedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאַחֲרָיוa/cha/RAYVafter himוַיִּקֹּדvay/yik/KODbowedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאַפַּיִםap/PA/yimwith his faceאַרְצָהAR/tsato the groundוַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ׃vay/yish/TA/chuand prostrated himself

   David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

10. 10

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidלְשָׁאוּלle/Sha/ULto SaulלָמָּהLAM/mawhyתִשְׁמַעtish/MAdo you listen toאֶת־דִּבְרֵיet-div/REthe words ofאָדָםa/DAMmenלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdדָוִדDa/VIDDavidמְבַקֵּשׁme/vak/KESHseeksרָעָתֶךָ׃ra/a/TE/khayour harm

    And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

11. 11

    הִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdהַיּוֹםhay/YOMdayהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisרָאוּra/Uhave seenעֵינֶיךָe/NE/khayour eyesאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־נְתָנְךָet-a/SHER-ne/ta/ne/KHAhow had given youיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDהַיּוֹםhay/YOMtodayבְּיָדִיbe/ya/DIinto my handבַּמְּעָרָהbam/me/a/RAin the caveוְאָמַרve/a/MARand someone saidלַהֲרָגְךָla/ha/ra/ge/KHAto kill youוַתָּחׇסvat/TA/chosbut it had pityעָלֶיךָa/LE/khaon youוָאֹמַרva/o/MARand I saidלֹא־אֶשְׁלַחlo-esh/LACHI will not put forthיָדִיya/DImy handבַּאדֹנִיba/do/NIagainst my lordכִּי־מְשִׁיחַki-me/SHI/achfor the anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDהוּא׃huhe is

    Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

12. 12

    וְאָבִיve/a/VIand my fatherרְאֵהre/Eseeגַּםgamyesרְאֵהre/Eseeאֶת־כְּנַףet-ke/NAFthe skirt ofמְעִילְךָme/i/le/KHAyour robeבְּיָדִיbe/ya/DIin my handכִּיkiforבְּכׇרְתִיbe/khor/TIin that I cut offאֶת־כְּנַףet-ke/NAFthe skirt ofמְעִילְךָme/i/le/KHAyour robeוְלֹאve/LOand notהֲרַגְתִּיךָha/rag/TI/khakilled youדַּעdaknowוּרְאֵהu/re/Eand seeכִּיkithatאֵיןenthere is noבְּיָדִיbe/ya/DIin my handרָעָהra/Aevilוָפֶשַׁעva/FE/shaor rebellionוְלֹא־חָטָאתִיve/LO-cha/TA/tiand I have not sinnedלָךְlakhagainst youוְאַתָּהve/at/TAyet youצֹדֶהtso/DEare huntingאֶת־נַפְשִׁיet-naf/SHImy lifeלְקַחְתָּהּ׃le/kach/TAto take it

    Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

13. 13

    יִשְׁפֹּטyish/POTmay judgeיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDבֵּינִיbe/NIbetween meוּבֵינֶךָu/ve/NE/khaand between youוּנְקָמַנִיu/ne/ka/MA/niand may avenge meיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDמִמֶּךָּmim/MEK/kaon youוְיָדִיve/ya/DIbut my handלֹאlonotתִהְיֶה־בָּךְ׃tih/YE-bakhshall be against you

    The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

14. 14

    כַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasיֹאמַרyo/MARsaysמְשַׁלme/SHALthe proverb ofהַקַּדְמֹנִיhak/kad/mo/NIthe ancientsמֵרְשָׁעִיםmer/sha/IMfrom the wickedיֵצֵאye/TSEcomesרֶשַׁעRE/shawickednessוְיָדִיve/ya/DIbut my handלֹאlonotתִהְיֶה־בָּךְ׃tih/YE-bakhshall be against you

    As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

15. 15

    אַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterמִיmiwhomיָצָאya/TSAhas come outמֶלֶךְME/lekhthe king ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterמִיmiwhomאַתָּהat/TAare youרֹדֵףro/DEFpursuingאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterכֶּלֶבKE/leva dogמֵתmetdeadאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterפַּרְעֹשׁpar/OSHa fleaאֶחָד׃e/CHADone

    After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

16. 16

    וְהָיָהve/ha/YAtherefore may beיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDלְדַיָּןle/day/YANjudgeוְשָׁפַטve/sha/FATand judgeבֵּינִיbe/NIbetween meוּבֵינֶךָu/ve/NE/khaand between youוְיֵרֶאve/YE/reand may He seeוְיָרֵבve/ya/REVand pleadאֶת־רִיבִיet-ri/VImy causeוְיִשְׁפְּטֵנִיve/yish/pe/TE/niand vindicate meמִיָּדֶךָ׃miy/ya/DE/khafrom your hand

    The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

17. 17

    וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passכְּכַלּוֹתke/khal/LOTwhen had finishedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidלְדַבֵּרle/dab/BERspeakingאֶת־הַדְּבָרִיםet-had/de/va/RIMthe wordsהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulהֲקֹלְךָha/kol/KHAis your voiceזֶהzethisבְּנִיbe/NImy sonדָוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיִּשָּׂאvay/yis/SAand lifted upשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulקֹלוֹko/LOhis voiceוַיֵּבְךְּ׃vay/YEVKand wept

    And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.

18. 18

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidצַדִּיקtsad/DIKmore righteousאַתָּהat/TAare youמִמֶּנִּיmim/MEN/nithan Iכִּיkiforאַתָּהat/TAyouגְּמַלְתַּנִיge/mal/TA/nihave repaid meהַטּוֹבָהhat/to/VAgoodוַאֲנִיva/a/NIwhile Iגְּמַלְתִּיךָge/mal/TI/khahave repaid youהָרָעָה׃ha/ra/Aevil

    And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

19. 19

    (ואת)vt[וְאַתָּה]ve/at/TAand youהִגַּדְתָּhig/GAD/tahave shownהַיּוֹםhay/YOMtodayאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂיתָהet-a/SHER-a/SI/tahow you have dealtאִתִּיit/TIwith meטוֹבָהto/VAwellאֵת־אֲשֶׁרet-a/SHERin thatסִגְּרַנִיsig/ge/RA/nihad delivered meיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDבְּיָדְךָbe/ya/de/KHAinto your handוְלֹאve/LOand notהֲרַגְתָּנִי׃ha/rag/TA/nidid you kill me

    And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.

20. 20

    וְכִי־יִמְצָאve/KHI-yim/TSAfor if findsאִישׁisha manאֶת־אֹיְבוֹet-oy/VOhis enemyוְשִׁלְּחוֹve/shil/le/CHOwill he let him goבְּדֶרֶךְbe/DE/rekhon his wayטוֹבָהto/VAgoodוַיהֹוָהve-Adonaiand the LORDיְשַׁלֶּמְךָye/shal/lem/KHAreward youטוֹבָהto/VAgoodתַּחַתTA/chatforהַיּוֹםhay/YOMdayהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatעָשִׂיתָהa/SI/tayou have doneלִי׃lito me

    For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

21. 21

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdיָדַעְתִּיya/DA/tiI knowכִּיkithatמָלֹךְma/LOKHreignתִּמְלוֹךְtim/LOKHyou shall reignוְקָמָהve/KA/maand shall be establishedבְּיָדְךָbe/ya/de/KHAin your handמַמְלֶכֶתmam/LE/khetthe kingdom ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yis/ra/ELIsrael

    And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.

22. 22

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowהִשָּׁבְעָהhish/SHAV/aswearלִּיlito meבַּיהֹוָהba-Adonaiby the LORDאִם־תַּכְרִיתim-takh/RITthat you will not cut offאֶת־זַרְעִיet-zar/Imy seedאַחֲרָיa/cha/RAYafter meוְאִם־תַּשְׁמִידve/IM-tash/MIDand that you will not destroyאֶת־שְׁמִיet-she/MImy nameמִבֵּיתmib/BETfrom the house ofאָבִי׃a/VImy father

    Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.

23. 23

    וַיִּשָּׁבַעvay/yish/sha/VAand sworeדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidלְשָׁאוּלle/Sha/ULto Saulוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶל־בֵּיתוֹel-be/TOto his houseוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menעָלוּa/LUwent upעַל־הַמְּצוּדָה׃al-ham/me/tsu/DAto the stronghold

    And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.