Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you.

(SEE 7:10)

You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.' "

LORD Almighty, God of Israel! I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.

I will keep the promise I made to your father David when I told him that Israel would always be ruled by his descendants.

(SEE 17:9)

I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, my God, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.

His dynasty will be as permanent as the sky; a descendant of his will always be king.

and everyone here will see that the LORD does not need swords or spears to save his people. He is victorious in battle, and he will put all of you in our power."

Then Saul said to David, "Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife on condition that you serve me as a brave and loyal soldier, and fight the LORD's battles." (Saul was thinking that in this way the Philistines would kill David, and he would not have to do it himself.)

In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the LORD promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler."

Jahaziel said, "Your Majesty and all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, the LORD says that you must not be discouraged or be afraid to face this large army. The battle depends on God, not on you.

Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.

Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks.

and he said to his men, "May the LORD keep me from doing any harm to my master, whom the LORD chose as king! I must not harm him in the least, because he is the king chosen by the LORD!"

So David convinced his men that they should not attack Saul. Saul got up, left the cave, and started away.

Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.

Then he said to David, "You are right, and I am wrong. You have been so good to me, while I have done such wrong to you!

The LORD did this because David had done what pleased him and had never disobeyed any of his commands, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the LORD.

They never do wrong; they walk in the LORD's ways.

In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Ours, however, is only right, because we are getting what we deserve for what we did; but he has done no wrong."

The army officer saw what had happened, and he praised God, saying, "Certainly he was a good man!"