An Insult Almost Leads David Into Sin

After David spared his life at Engedi, even Saul had to admit his hatred was unreasonable.  About the same time, Samuel died and all Israel came together to mourn his death.  David came and Saul did not attack him during the time of mourning, as I Samuel 25:1 tells us.  “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.”

 

David did not forget Saul’s unprovoked attacks, so after the funeral, he went to the wilderness of Paran for safety.  While in the wilderness, he and hs men protected the various farmers and sheepherders from both wild animals and raids by the Philistines and other groups, and helping with shearing and other needs.  Some of the shepherds they had helped worked for a rich man by the name of Nabal, as described in I Samuel 25:2-3.  “And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.  Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.”

 

Shearing sheep is a very labor intensive job, and men would often help other shepherds with the job, expecting only their food and help with their own shearing.  David sent ten of his men to Nabal offering to help out, and asking for food for David’s men for the help they had already provided, in I Samuel 25:4-8.  “And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.  And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.  And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.  Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.”

 

Nabal was a rude or churlish man, and took pride in putting down and embarrassing other people.  When Davids men came to him for help, he was very rude to them accusing them of being just a bunch of runaway slaves and beggars, as I Samuel 25:9-11 tells us.  “And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.  And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.  Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?”

 

Even the most godly of men can get angry when they are insulted, and David decided to kill Nabal and his descendants for insulting him and his men, in I Samuel 25:12-13.  “So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.”

 

Knowing how offensive Nabal’s behavior was, one of his employees told his wife what he had said, and how unjustifiable it was.  He warned that David and his men would not overlook such an insult, and that Nabal was so controlled by Satan no one could change his mind or get him to admit he was wrong.  They wanted to know if anything could be done to prevent what David might do, as I Samuel 25:14-17 tells us.  “But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him.”

 

 Abigail had had to deal with people Nabal had offended in the pastand knew how angry he could make people.  She quickly got things together that she hoped would placate David’s anger. She didn’t bother telling Nabal, knowing he would refuse to let her go, as I Samuel 25:18-20 tells us.  “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.”

 

David had been so offended by Nabal’s words he had decided to kill Nabal and every man that worked for him. Fortunately, Abigail got there in time to talk to David and apologize for her husband’s behavior.  She was honest about his wicked attitudeand asked David not to do something stupid just because Nabal was stupid.  She recognized David and his men had every right to sak Nabal’s help for what they had done for him, in I Samuel 25:21-28.  “Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.  So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

 

And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,  And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.  Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.  Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.  And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.  I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days”

 

She continued by reminding David that he had been chosen to be king by God, and that if he did what he planned, he would have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life, in I Samuel 25:29-31.  “Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.  And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.”

 

Unlike Nabal, David was not controlled by Satan, and was willing to listen to other opinions.  He appreciated Abigail’s warning and changed hi mind about what he was going to do, as I Samuel 25:32-35 describes.  “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:  And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.  So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” 

David Spares Saul’s Life

Saul had been forced to temporarily forget his effort to capture and kill David due to a Philistine invasion, but as soon as the threat was eliminated, he went back to his pursuit of David, with three thousand special forces, as described by I Samuel 24:1-2.  “And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.”

 

In the wilderness of Engedi were a number of large sheep corrals where shepherds would shut up their sheepfor protection at night.  Near these corrals were  caves where the shepherds spent the night, and some of the caves were quite large.  Tired of hunting David, Saul went into one of the caves to take a nap.  As it happened, David and his men were hiding in that cave but Saul didn’t see them, as I Samuel 24:3 tells us.  “And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.”

 

Almost everyone knew that God had chosen David as the next king of Israel. and David’s men saw this as God giving him an opportunity to get rid of his enemy, as I Samuel 24a:4describes.  “And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee”

 

David cut off the skrt of Saul’s robe as proof he could have killed him, but refused to kill him, hoping it would embarrass him and make him realize David had no intention of killing him.  Later he regretted even doing that, because although Saul was trying to kill him, he realized he still had no right to murder him and especially since he was a man God had chosen, as I Samuel 24b-7 tells us.  “Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.  And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.  And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.  So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.”

 

After Saul left the cave, David revealed himself to him, Asking why Saul had listened to lies about his wish to kill him and showing he had no such intention, refusing to do so even when he had the chance, by displaying Saul’s skirt, as I Samuel 24:8-15 describes.  “David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.  And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

 

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.”

 

David was willing to trust God to make things right and refused to try to force things to happen before God intended it.   Saul was forced to admit David was not trying to kill him and his own actions were wicked.  He admitted he knew David was following God and would one day be king, and asked David to promise not to destroy his family, in I Samuel 24:16-2.  “And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.  And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.  And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

 

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.  Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.  And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.”

 

Saul had repeatedly broken agreements in the past and David did not trust him not to break another one, so he and his men found another hiding place.    

God Intervenes To Save David

Knowing that Saul was determined to kill him, David took refuge in the wilderness.  Jonathan found out where he was and came out to encourage him, as described in I Samuel 23:15-18.  “And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.  And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.  And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.  And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. “

 

Hoping to incur the Kings favor, the inhabitants of the wilderness agreed to betray David to Saul, in I Samuel 23:19-23.  “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?  Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.

 

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.  Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.  See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye 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.”

 

By the time they came to the wilderness of Ziph, David had moved to wilderness of Maon.  In the wilderness of Maon, Saul was able to surround David and his men and his capture appeared certain, as I Samuel 23:24-26.  “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.  Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.  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.”

 

Desperate to kill David, Saul had taken the entire army to the wilderness, leaving the borders unguarded.  The Philistines had taken advantage of the situation to invade Israel, and if they were not stopped, they might take over all Israel.  To save the nation, Saul was forced to withdraw and fight the Philistines, as we see in I Samuel 23:27-28.  “But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.  Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.”

 

When Saul withdrew his army, David seized the opportunity to go to  place where he would be harder to trap, oing to the hills and caves of Engedi, as I Samuel 3:29 tells us.  “And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.”

 

God had repeatedly saved David from Saul, but this is the most obvious time he directly intervened on David’s behalf. Only he could cause the Philistines to attack at just the right time to force Saul to withdraw.  Its easy to forget how powerful God is.  As Romans 8:31 asks,”…If God be for us, who can be against us?”  With all the power of the Israelite government behind him, Saul could not capture or kill David because God was protecting him.

  

Saul Neglects Business To Satisfy Obsession

As king, Saul’s primary job was to protect his people against foreign raiders, but he was so busy trying to kill David he didn’t have time to take care of business.  When David learned of Philistine raids, he asked God what he should do about them, in I Samuel 23:1-2.  “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.  Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

 

David’s men were concerned about getting caught between the Philistines and Saul’s army, so David asked the Lord again to make sure he was doing the right thing, in I Samuel 23:3-5.  “And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?  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 thine hand.  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.”

 

David had done what was Saul’s responsibility, but Saul did not appreciate it, viewing it as an opportunity to trap David, as I Samuel 23:7-8 describes.  “And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.  And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.”  A complete narcissist, Saul didn’t care about anyone or anything except getting his own way.  Instead of rescuing Keilah from the Philistines, he was going to attack the city in an effort to kill David. 

 

When Ahimelech’s son Abiathar fled Nob to escape Saul’s executioner, he had carried the Ephod, part of the High Priest’s garment with him, as I Samuel 23:6 tells us.  “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.”  Knowing Saul would not give up, David asked Abiathar to act as high priest and ask God what Saul would do, in I Samuel 23:9-12.  “And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.  Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.  Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.  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 thee up.”

 

God warned that not only would Saul come against him, but that because of their fear of Saul and his threats, the people of Keilah would betray David in an effort to keep Saul from attacking them.  David and his men left quickly, seeking a good and easily defended hiding place.  Upon learning of their departure, Saul turned elsewhere seeking them, as I Samuel 23:13-14 describes.  “Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.  And David abode 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.”

 

Demonically obsessed with killing David, Saul neglected everything else, but God prevented him from catching David.    

Saul Orders The Priests Killed

David had fled for asylum to Gath, but upon learning he had been recognized, he didn’t dare stay, hiding out in the cave Adullam, accompanied by his brothers and about four hundred other men.  Fearing for his parents safety, he took them to the king of Moab for safety, in I Samuel 22:3-4.  “And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.  And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.”

 

The prophet Gad warned David not to stay in the cave as his presence there was known so he went and hid in a forest, in I Samuel 22:5.  “And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.”

 

Saul learned that David had been in the cave Adullam.  In his obsession, he accused his followers of selling out to David and betraying him, in I Samuel 22:6-8.  “When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?”

 

In an effort to relieve Saul’s anger, Doeg the Edomite told about seeing David visiting with Ahimelech the priest, in I Samuel 22:9-10.  “Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.  And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

 

Doeg successfully turned the anger away from Saul’s followers by redirecting it toward God’s priests.  Like many narcissists or sociopaths, once Saul got an idea into his mind, no amount of evidence or logic would change it, as we see in I Samuel 22:11-19.  “Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.  And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

 

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?  Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.”

 

While Doeg worshipped at the Tabernacle, he had no real fear or respect for God and he killed eighty five of the priests at Saul’s command.  Saul’s refusal to obey had turned God away from him, and his killing the priests started turning the people away from him, although he didn’t realize it at the time.  David protected the one priest who had escaped, gaining people’s respet when they learned about it, in I Samuel 22:20-23.  “And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.  And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.” 

David Flees To The Philistines

Saul’s selfish attitude and determination to kill David was embarrassing enough to Jonathan, but when it went so far as trying to kill Jonathan for just asking why he was mad, it made him feel like his father was insane, and for the first time, he understood David’s efforts to avoid Saul.  As early as he could the next morning he went to warn David of Saul’s intentions, in I Samuel 20:35-40.  “And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.  And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.  And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?  And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.  But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.  And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.”

 

David was Jonathan’s best friend, but after what happened the day before, Jonathan knew3 Saul would kill him if he caught them together.  He had warned David with his tricks with the arrows, but when he sent his helper home, he wanted to spend a few minutes with David personally, making it clear he did not hate David like his father did, in I Samuel 20:41-42.  “And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.  And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.”

 

Although Saul had tried to kill him while he was staying with Samuel at Naioth, David was sure the Priests would not betray him, and he felt public opinion and God’s law would make even Saul hesitate, so he went to Nob, to the High Priest for help.  Knowing Saul’s reputation, even Ahimelech was hesitant to help, but David assured him he was on a secret emergency mission for Saul.  Taking his word for it, Ahimelech provided food, in I Samuel21:1-6.  “Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?  And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.  Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

 

And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.  And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.  So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the showbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.”

 

As so often happens when we try to do something secretly, the priest’s efforts to help David were observed, according to I Samuel 21:7.  “Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.”

 

David also requested any weapons the priests had, and was given the sword he had taken from Goliath, in I Samuel 21:8-10.  “And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. 1sa 21:9 And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.  And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.”

 

Fearing Saul would send people to detain him, David took the food and the sword and fled to the Philistine city of Gath for safety.  Unfortunately, he was recognized, and in an effort to save his life, he pretended to be insane, knowing that they would hesitate to kill an insane person, as we see in I Samuel 21:11-15.  “And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

 

And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.  And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.  Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?  Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?”

 

The Philistines had enough mentally ill people and Achish didn’t want to be stuck supporting any more so David was left alone.  He went back into Israel, hidingin a cave.  Learning where he was, his brothers and others who had suffered from Saul’s sefishness joined him there, according to I Samuel 22:1-2.  “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.  And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.”

Jonathan Realizes Saul’s Anger Is Not Normal

 People had accepted Saul’s uncontrolled rages as fairly normal, not realizing they were the result of demonic influence, and hired David to try to calm him down.  Even David did not take them particularly seriously, until he made a concerted planned effort to kill him, even trying to kill him when surrounded by the priests.  David went back to his friend Jonathan to try to learn why Saul hated him so bad.  Jonathan still didn’t really believe his father would do something like David described without sharing it with his family, as I Samuel 20:1-2 describes.  “And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?  And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will show it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.”

 

David reminded Jonathan that Saul knew of their friendship and might hide his plans, in I Samuel 20:3.  “And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”

 

Realizing how concerned David was, Jonathan agreed to help him find out if it was just a spur of the moment outburst or a serious threat, in I Samuel 20:4-8.  “Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.  And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.  If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.  If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.  Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?

 

Jonathan suggested  a way of finding out if Saul was serious was serious about killing David and secretly communicating what he learned, in I Samuel 20:9-23.  “And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?  Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?  And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

 

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and show it thee; The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will show it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.  And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.  And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.  Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.  And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.  And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.  And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.  But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.  And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.

 

Jonathan understood that David had been chosen by God to be the next king and made a covenant with him that they would remain friends when David became king.  The plan worked like a charm, with Saul getting angry at Jonathan for taking up for Davidand when Jonathan questioned his anger, attempting to kill him, as Described in I Samuel 20:24-34.  “So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.  And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul's side, and David's place was empty.  Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.  And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David's place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

 

Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem: And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.  Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?  For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.

 

And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?  And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.   So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.”

 

In his selfishness, Saul didn’t even care if his own son was killed as long as he got his way.  It was a shocking revelation to Jonathan, who stormed away from the table, embarrassed by his father’s abusive behavior.  Even he had not realized how out of control his father was.