When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, ¹  “Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people.”

David restrained his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and started down ¹  the road.

When his family ¹  heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

“Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and as surely as you live, it is the Lord who has kept you from shedding blood and taking matters into your own hands. Now may your enemies and those who seek to harm my lord be like Nabal.

Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives – he who has prevented me from harming you – if you had not come so quickly to meet me, by morning’s light not even one male belonging to Nabal would have remained alive!”

“If someone ¹  should attempt ²  a word with you, will you be impatient? ³  But who can refrain from speaking ⁴ ?

If he snatches away, ¹  who can turn him back? ²  Who dares to say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

If he comes by ¹  and confines ²  you ³  and convenes a court, ⁴  then who can prevent ⁵  him?

If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; ¹  if he releases them, ²  they destroy ³  the land.

Would not his splendor ¹  terrify ²  you and the fear he inspires ³  fall on you?

But you even break off ¹  piety, ²  and hinder ³  meditation ⁴  before God.

Do you listen in on God’s secret council? ¹  Do you limit ²  wisdom to yourself?

Can you tie the bands ¹  of the Pleiades, or release the cords of Orion?

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted;

My child, do not go down ¹  their way, ²  withhold yourself ³  from their path; ⁴ 

Then Jeremiah told Baruch, “I am no longer allowed to go ¹  into the Lord’s temple.

For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. ¹ 

Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, ¹  so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!” No one remained ²  with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Come on, let’s go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will intervene ¹  for us. Nothing can prevent the Lord from delivering, whether by many or by a few.”

I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; ¹  I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. ²  So all my accomplishments gave me joy; ³  this was my reward for all my effort. ⁴