The Spear and the Water Jar

1 Samuel 26

Betrayed again by the Ziphites, David steals into Saul's camp by night with Abishai and finds Saul asleep, but refuses to let Abishai kill him, taking only his spear and water jar as proof of the opportunity. From a distance David calls out to Abner and Saul, and Saul again confesses his fault and blesses David before returning home.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAGAIN the Ziphites came from the wilderness to Saul, on the mount, and said, Behold, David is lurking with us on mount Echela, in front of Jessemon.

BrentonAnd the Ziphites come out of the dry country to Saul to the hill, saying, Behold, David hides himself with us in the hill Echela, opposite Jessemon.

GreekΚαὶ ἔρχονται οἱ Ζιφαῖοι ἐκ τῆς αὐχμώδους πρὸς τὸν Σαοὺλ εἰς τὸν βουνὸν, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ σκεπάζεται μεθʼ ἡμῶν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τῷ ʼΕχελὰ, κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ Ἰεσσεμοῦ.

KJVAnd the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

JPSAnd the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying: ‘Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?’

ThomsonThereupon Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

BrentonAnd Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, and with him went three thousand men chosen out of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Σαοὺλ, καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Ζὶφ, καὶ μετʼ αὐτοὺ τρεῖς χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν ἐκλεκτοὶ ἐξ Ἰσραὴλ, ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυὶδ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ζίφ.

KJVThen Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

JPSThen Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

ThomsonAnd Saul encamped on that eminence of Echela, which is in front of Jessemon, by the way side. Now David made his abode in that wilderness. So when David saw that Saul was coming after him, into the wilderness,

BrentonAnd Saul encamped in the hill of Echela in front of Jessemon, by the way, and David dwelt in the wilderness: and David saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

GreekΚαὶ παρενέβαλε Σαοὺλ ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τῷ Ἐχελὰ τῷ ἐπὶ προσώπου τοῦ Ἰεσσεμοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ, καὶ Δαυὶδ ἐκάθισεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ· καὶ εἶδε Δαυὶδ, ὅτι ἥκει Σαοὺλ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον.

KJVAnd Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

JPSAnd Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

Thomsonhe sent out spies. And when he knew that Saul was come in force out of Keila,

BrentonAnd David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ κατασκόπους, καὶ ἔγνω ὅτι ἥκει Σαοὺλ ἕτοιμος ἐκ Κεϊλά.

KJVDavid therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

JPSDavid therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.

ThomsonDavid arose privily, and went to the place where Saul was sleeping. And Abenner, son of Ner, his captain general was there, and Saul was asleep in a palanquin, and the people were encamped around him.

BrentonAnd David arose secretly, and goes into the place where Saul was sleeping, and there was Abenner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul was sleeping in a chariot, and the people had encamped round about him.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ λάθρα, καὶ εἰσπορεύεται εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ ἐκάθευδεν ἐκεῖ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἐκεῖ Ἀβεννὴρ υἱὸς Νὴρ ἀρχιστράτηγος αὐτοῦ· καὶ Σαοὺλ ἐκάθευδεν ἐν λαμπήνῃ, καὶ ὁ λαὸς παρεμβεβληκὼς κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.

JPSAnd David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host; and Saul lay within the barricade, and the people pitched round about him.

ThomsonNow David addressing Abimelech the Chettite, and Abessa, son of Saruia, the brother of Joab, had said, Who will go with me into the camp to Saul? and Abessa said, I will go with thee.

BrentonAnd David answered and spoke to Abimelech the Chettite, and to Abessa the son of Saruia the brother of Joab, saying, Who will go in with me to Saul into the camp? And Abessa said, I will go in with thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς Ἀβιμέλεχ τὸν Χετταῖον, καὶ πρὸς Ἀβεσσὰ υἱὸν Σαρουίας ἀδελφὸν Ἰωὰβ, λέγων, τίς εἰσελεύσεται μετʼ ἐμοῦ πρὸς Σαοὺλ εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν; καὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσὰ, ἐγὼ εἰσελεύσομαι μετὰ σοῦ.

KJVThen answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

JPSThen answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying: ‘Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?’ And Abishai said: ‘I will go down with thee.’

ThomsonSo David went with Abessa, in among the people by night, and behold Saul lay fast asleep in a palanquin, and his lance was stuck in the ground at his head, and Abenner and his people lay around him.

BrentonSo David and Abessa go in among the people by night: and behold, Saul was fast asleep in the chariot, and his spear was stuck in the ground near his head, and Abenner and his people slept round about him.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσπορεύεται Δαυὶδ καὶ Ἀβεσσὰ εἰς τὸν λαὸν τὴν νύκτα· καὶ ἰδοὺ Σαοὺλ καθεύδων ὕπνῳ ἐν λαμπήνῃ, καὶ τὸ δόρυ αὐτοῦ ἐμπεπηγὸς εἰς τὴν γῆν πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ Ἀβεννὴρ καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ ἐκάθευδε κύκλῳ αὐτοῦ.

KJVSo David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

JPSSo David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the barricade, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.

ThomsonWhereupon Abessa said to David, The Lord hath this day delivered thine enemy into thy hands, now therefore let me smite him with my spear, to the ground, at one stroke, and I will not repeat the blow.

BrentonAnd Abessa said to David, The Lord has this day shut up thine enemy into thine hands, and now I will smite him to the earth with the spear to the ground once for all, and I will not smite him again.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσὰ πρὸς Δαυὶδ, ἀπέκλεισε Κύριος σήμερον τὸν ἐχθρόν σου εἰς χεῖράς σου· καὶ νῦν πατάξω αὐτὸν τῷ δόρατι εἰς τὴν γῆν ἅπαξ, καὶ οὐ δευτερώσω αὐτῷ.

KJVThen said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

JPSThen said Abishai to David: ‘God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day; now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time.’

ThomsonBut David said to Abessa, Thou must not humble him: for who can lift up his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?

BrentonAnd David said to Abessa, Do not lay him low, for who shall lift up his hand against the anointed of the Lord, and be guiltless?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβεσσὰ, μὴ ταπεινώσῃς αὐτὸν, ὅτι τίς ἐποίσει χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου καὶ ἀθωωθήσεται;

KJVAnd David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?

JPSAnd David said to Abishai: ‘Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?’

ThomsonThen David said, As the Lord liveth, either the Lord will smite him, or his time shall come, and he will go down to battle and fall.

BrentonAnd David said, As the Lord lives, if the Lord smite him not, or his day come and he die, or he go down to battle and be added to his fathers, do not so.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ, ζῇ Κύριος, ἐὰν μὴ Κύριος παίσῃ αὐτὸν, ἢ ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ ἔλθῃ καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, ἢ εἰς πόλεμον καταβῇ καὶ προστεθῇ.

KJVDavid said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

JPSAnd David said: ‘As the LORD liveth, nay, but the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle, and be swept away.

ThomsonThe Lord forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the anointed of the Lord. Now therefore take, I pray thee, the spear from his pillow, and the cup of water, and let us go.

BrentonThe Lord forbid it me that I should lift up my hand against the anointed of the Lord: and now take, I pray thee, the spear from his bolster, and the pitcher of water, and let us return home.

GreekΜηδαμῶς μοι παρὰ Κυρίου ἐπενεγκεῖν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου· καὶ νῦν λάβε δὴ τὸ δόρυ ἀπὸ προσκεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν φακὸν τοῦ ὕδατος, καὶ ἀπέλθωμεν ἡμεῖς καθʼ ἑαυτούς.

KJVThe LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

JPSThe LORD forbid it me, that I should put forth my hand against the LORD’S anointed; but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water and let us go.’

ThomsonSo David took the lance, and the cup of water from his pillow, and went away; and there was none who saw, nor was there one who perceived, nor one who awaked. They were all fast asleep. For a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them.

BrentonSo David took the spear, and the pitcher of water from his bolster, and they went home: and there was no one that saw, and no one that knew, and there was no one that awoke, all being asleep, for a stupor from the Lord had fallen upon them.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Δαυὶδ τὸ δόρυ, καὶ τὸν φακὸν τοῦ ὕδατος ἀπὸ προσκεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπῆλθον καθʼ ἑαυτούς· καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ βλέπων, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ γινώσκων, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐξεγειρόμενος, πάντες ὑπνοῦντες, ὅτι θάμβος Κυρίου ἐπέπεσεν ἐπʼ αὐτούς.

KJVSo David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

JPSSo David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s head; and they got them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake; for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

ThomsonAnd when David had passed over to the other side, he stood on the top of the mountain, at a distance, and there was a great way between them,

BrentonSo David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, and there was a good distance between them.

GreekΚαὶ διέβη Δαυὶδ εἰς τὸ πέραν, καὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους μακρόθεν, καὶ πολλὴ ἡ ὁδὸς ἀναμέσον αὐτῶν.

KJVThen David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

JPSThen David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them.

Thomsonand David called to the people, and spoke to Abenner, saying, Wilt thou not answer, Abenner! And Abenner answered and said, Who art thou, who callest?

BrentonAnd David called to the people, and spoke to Abenner, saying, Wilt thou not answer, Abenner? and Abenner answered and said, Who art thou that callest?

GreekΚαὶ προσεκαλέσατο Δαυὶδ τὸν λαὸν, καὶ τῷ Ἀβεννὴρ ἐλάλησε, λέγεν, οὐκ ἀποκριθήσῃ Ἀβεννήρ; καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ʼΑβεννὴρ, καὶ εἶπε, τίς εἶ σὺ ὁ καλῶν;

KJVAnd David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the king?

JPSAnd David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying: ‘Answerest thou not, Abner?’ Then Abner answered and said: ‘Who art thou that criest to the king?’

ThomsonThen David said to Abenner, Art thou not a chief man? And who is like thee in Israel? Why then dost thou not guard thy lord the king? For one of the people went in to slay thy lord the king.

BrentonAnd David said to Abenner, Art not thou a man? and who is like thee in Israel? Why then dost thou not guard thy lord the king? for one out of the people went in to destroy thy lord the king.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβεννὴρ, οὐκ ἀνὴρ σύ; καὶ τίς, ὡς σὺ, ἐν Ἰσραήλ; καὶ διατί οὐ φυλάσσεις τὸν κύριόν σου τὸν βασιλέα; ὅτι εἰσῆλθεν εἷς ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ διαφθεῖραι τὸν κύριόν σου τὸν βασιλέα.

KJVAnd David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

JPSAnd David said to Abner: ‘Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

ThomsonThis thing which thou hast done is not good. As the Lord liveth, you who guard your lord the king—the anointed of the Lord, are guilty of death; for see now, I pray thee, the king’s lance, and the cup of water, where are they which were at his head?

BrentonAnd this thing is not good which thou hast done. As the Lord lives, ye are worthy of death, ye who guard your lord the king, the anointed of the Lord: and now behold, I pray you, the spear of the king, and the cruse of water: where are the articles that should be at his head?

GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἀγαθὸν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, ὃ πεποίηκας· ζῇ Κύριος, ὅτι υἱοὶ θανατώσεως ὑμεῖς, οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν βασιλέα τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν τὸν χριστὸν Κυρίου· καὶ νῦν ἴδε δὴ τὸ δόρυ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ὁ φακὸς τοῦ ὕδατος, ποῦ ἐστι τὰ πρὸς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ;

KJVThis thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.

JPSThis thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye deserve to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD’S anointed. And now, see, where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.’

ThomsonAnd when Saul knew David’s voice, he said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, I am thy servant, my lord the king.

BrentonAnd Saul recognised the voice of David, and said, Is this thy voice, son David? and David said, I am thy servant, my lord, O king.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέγνω Σαοὺλ τὴν φωνὴν Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἡ φωνή σου αὕτη, τέκνον Δαυίδ; καὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ, δοῦλός σου κύριε βασιλεῦ.

KJVAnd Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

JPSAnd Saul knew David’s voice, and said: ‘Is this thy voice, my son David?’ And David said: ‘It is my voice, my lord, O king.’

ThomsonMoreover he said, Why doth my lord pursue after his servant? For wherein have I offended, or what iniquity is there found in me?

BrentonAnd he said, Why does my lord thus pursue after his servant? for in what have I sinned? and what unrighteousness has been found in me?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, ἱνατί τοῦτο καταδιώκει ὁ κύριος ὀπίσω τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ; ὅτι τί ἡμάρτηκα; καὶ τί εὑρέθη ἐν ἐμοὶ ἀδίκημα;

KJVAnd he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

JPSAnd he said: ‘Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?

ThomsonNow therefore let my lord the king hear the word of his servant. If God stirreth thee up against me, let thy sacrifice be fragrant: but if the sons of men; cursed be they before the Lord; for they have now driven me out from abiding securely in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.

BrentonAnd now let my lord the king hear the word of his servant. If God stirs thee up against me, let thine offering be acceptable: but if the sons of men, they are cursed before the Lord, for they have cast me out this day so that I should not be established in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἀκουσάτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ· εἰ ὁ Θεὸς ἐπισείει σε ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, ὀσφρανθείη θυσία σου· καὶ εἰ υἱοὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἐπικατάρατοι οὗτοι ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, ὅτι ἐξέβαλόν με σήμερον μὴ ἐστηρίθαι ἐν κληρονομίᾳ Κυρίου, λέγοντες, πορεύου, δούλευε θεοῖς ἑτέροις.

KJVNow therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.

JPSNow therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be the LORD that hath stirred thee up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of the LORD, saying: Go, serve other gods.

ThomsonNow therefore, let not my blood fall on the land before the face of the Lord, because the king of Israel is come out to seek my life, as the night hawk pursueth on the mountains.

BrentonAnd now let not my blood fall to the ground before the Lord, for the king of Israel has come forth to seek thy life, as the night hawk pursues its prey in the mountains.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν μὴ πέσοι τὸ αἷμά μου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐξεναντίας προσώπου Κυρίου, ὅτι ἐξελήλυθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἰσραὴλ ζητεῖν ψυχήν μου, καθὼς καταδιώκει ὁ νυκτικόραξ ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι.

KJVNow therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

JPSNow therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel is come out to seek a single flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.’

ThomsonThen Saul said, I have sinned. Return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm; because my life hath been precious in thy sight, at the very time when I was led astray by folly, and egregiously mistaken.

BrentonAnd Saul said, I have sinned: turn, son David, for I will not hurt thee, because my life was precious in thine eyes; and to-day I have been foolish and have erred exceedingly.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, ἡμάρτηκα· ἐπίστρεφε, τέκνον Δαυὶδ, ὅτι οὐ κακοποιήσω σε, ἀνθʼ ὧν ἔντιμος ψυχή μου ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, καὶ ἐν τῇ σήμερον μεματαίωμαι καὶ ἠγνόηκα πολλὰ σφόδρα.

KJVThen said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

JPSThen said Saul: ‘I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.’

ThomsonAnd David answered and said, Behold here is the king’s lance; let one of the young men come over and take it.

BrentonAnd David answered and said, Behold, the spear of the king: let one of the servants come over and take it.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Δαυὶδ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ τὸ δόρυ τοῦ βασιλέως· διελθέτω εἷς τῶν παιδαρίων καὶ λαβέτω αὐτό·

KJVAnd David answered and said, Behold the king’s spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

JPSAnd David answered and said: ‘Behold the king’s spear! let then one of the young men come over and fetch it.

ThomsonThe Lord will render to every one according to his righteousness, and his fidelity. As the Lord delivered thee this day into my hands, and I would not lay my hand on the Lord’s anointed;

BrentonAnd the Lord shall recompense each according to his righteousness and his truth, since the Lord delivered thee this day into my hands, and I would not lift my hand against the Lord's anointed.

GreekΚαὶ Κύριος ἐπιστρέψει ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὰς δικαιοσύνας αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν πίστιν αὐτοῦ· ὡς παρέδωκέ σε Κύριος σήμερον εἰς χεῖράς μου, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησα ἐπενεγκεῖν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ χριστὸν Κυρίου.

KJVThe LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed.

JPSAnd the LORD will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as the LORD delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against the LORD’S anointed.

Thomsonand behold as thy life was this day highly regarded in my eyes, so may my life be highly regarded in the sight of the Lord, and may He protect me! He indeed will deliver me out of all affliction.

BrentonAnd, behold, as thy life has been precious this very day in my eyes, so let my life be precious before the Lord, and may he protect me, and deliver me out of all affliction.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ καθὼς ἐμεγαλύνθη ἡ ψυχή σου σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου, οὕτως μεγαλυνθείη ἡ ψυχή μου ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, καὶ σκεπάσαι με, καὶ ἐξελεῖταί με ἐκ πάσης θλίψεως.

KJVAnd, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

JPSAnd, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.’

ThomsonThen Saul said to David, Blessed art thou, my son. Thou shalt surely perform exploits, and prevail. Then David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

BrentonAnd Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son; and thou shalt surely do valiantly, and surely prevail. And David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Δαυὶδ, εὐλογημένος σὺ, τέκνον· καὶ ποιῶν ποιήσεις, καὶ δυνάμενος δυνήσῃ· καὶ ἀπῆλθε Δαυὶδ εἰς τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ Σαοὺλ ἀπέστρεψεν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

JPSThen Saul said to David: ‘Blessed be thou, my son David; thou shalt both do mightily, and shalt surely prevail.’ So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.