« | 1 Samuel 23 | » |
1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors.
2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
3 And David's men said to him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
4 Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.
5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God has delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars.
8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9 And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod.
10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech you, tell your servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver you up.
13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he declined to go forth.
14 And David stayed in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
17 And he said to him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; and that also Saul my father knows.
18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David stayed in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
21 And Saul said, Blessed be you of the LORD; for you have compassion on me.
22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there: for it is told me that he deals very subtly.
23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself, and come you again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; why he came down into a rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
27 But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste you, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
28 Why Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
29 And David went up from there, and dwelled in strong holds at Engedi.
The American King James Version (AKJV)
The American King James Version (AKJV) is a modernized adaptation of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, which seeks to retain the majesty and accuracy of the original text while updating some of the archaic language to make it more accessible to contemporary readers. The AKJV was created by Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite in the late 20th century, aiming to preserve the classic beauty and literary excellence of the KJV while ensuring that the scripture remains comprehensible to modern audiences. Michael Peter (Stone) Engelbrite of True Grace Ministries, claims his version is a simple word for word update from the King James English.
This translation adheres closely to the text and structure of the KJV, making only minimal changes where necessary to update outdated terms and phrases. One of the significant features of the AKJV is its commitment to maintaining the same verse structure and traditional phrasing that has made the KJV so enduringly popular. By making modest updates to the language, such as replacing thee and thou with you and your, the AKJV provides a version of the Bible that feels familiar to those who have long cherished the KJV, while being more approachable for new readers. This careful balance allows the AKJV to honor the historical and literary legacy of the KJV while meeting the linguistic needs of readers of today.
The AKJV also seeks to remain faithful to the doctrinal and theological foundations of the KJV. By preserving the original text's meaning and intent, the AKJV provides a reliable translation for study, worship, and personal devotion. Its adherence to the Textus Receptus for the New Testament and the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament ensures that the translation remains consistent with the sources that have historically underpinned the KJV. This fidelity to the original manuscripts and theological perspectives of the KJV helps maintain the trust and respect that many readers have for this venerable translation.
Despite its strengths, the AKJV has not been without its criticisms. Some scholars and readers argue that the translation does not go far enough in updating the language, leaving certain passages still challenging for modern audiences. Others feel that any alteration to the KJV diminishes its historical and literary significance. Nonetheless, the AKJV remains a valuable resource for those who seek a Bible translation that bridges the gap between the time-honored KJV and the needs of contemporary readers, offering a version that is both reverent and readable.