But the king had found out about Haman’s evil plan. So the king had sent out written orders. He had ordered that Haman’s evil plan against the Jews should happen to him instead. The king also commanded that poles be stuck through the dead bodies of Haman and his sons. Then they should be set up where everyone could see them.
Sinful people make plans to harm those who do what is right. They grind their teeth at them.But the Lord laughs at those who do evil. He knows the day is coming when he will judge them.
May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord pay you back because of the wrong things you have done to me. But I won’t do anything to hurt you.People say,‘ Evil acts come from those who do evil.’ So I won’t do anything to hurt you.
You can be sure that the Lord lives,” he said.“ And you can be just as sure that the Lord himself will strike Saul down. Perhaps he’ll die a natural death. Or perhaps he’ll go into battle and be killed.
He will hand both Israel and you over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be down here with me. The Lord will also hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.”
The Lord will pay him back for the blood he spilled. Joab attacked two men. He killed them with his sword. And my father David didn’t even know anything about it. Joab killed Abner, the son of Ner. Abner was the commander of Israel’s army. Joab also killed Amasa, the son of Jether. Amasa was the commander of Judah’s army. Abner and Amasa were better men than Joab is. They were more honest than he is.
The fighting was heavy around Saul. Men who were armed with bows and arrows caught up with him. They shot their arrows at him and wounded him badly.Saul spoke to the man carrying his armor. He said,“ Pull out your sword. Stick it through me. If you don’t, these fellows who aren’t circumcised will come. They’ll stick their swords through me and hurt me badly.” But the man was terrified. He wouldn’t do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
“ Because of what you have done, I will punish your children. I will smear the waste from your sacrifices on your faces. And you will be carried off to the dump along with it.You will know that I have given you this warning. I have warned you so that my covenant with Levi will continue,” says the Lord who rules over all.“ My covenant promised Levi life and peace. So I gave them to him. I required him to respect me. And he had great respect for my name.