David Flees from Saul

The Pursuit of David

David was on the run from Saul. David went to Nob to see Ahimelech, the priest. David told Ahimelech that Saul had sent him on a mission, and Saul had told him not to tell anyone. David asked the priest to give him five loaves of bread. The priest answered that he only had holy bread and gave David the day-old holy bread. David took the bread for himself and the men with him. David then asked Ahimelech if he had a spear or a sword. Ahimelech said that he had the sword of Goliath that David had used when he killed Goliath. David took the sword with him.

David then went to Gath, Goliath's hometown. The servants of Achish, the king of Gath, recognized David and said that he was the one that the people had sung about, recalling the incident that had made Saul angry: David killing more Philistines than he had. This made David afraid that he would be found out, and he began to act insane. The servants of Achish took David before the king. The king said to remove David because he already had to deal with enough crazy people.

Next, David ran to the cave of Adullam. His family heard about this and went to the cave of Adullam as well because they, too, were in danger. A group of others in distress, in debt, or bitter about the rule of Saul came to David there, and David commanded them. This was about four hundred men. David then went to Moab and talked the king of Moab into allowing his parents to stay there. David's parents stayed in Moab while David was in the stronghold. Eventually, David was told by the prophet of Gad not to remain in his stronghold any longer, so David went to the forest of Hereth, which was in Judah.

Meanwhile, Saul heard from Doeg the Edomite about David being in Nob. Saul also learned that Ahimelech had helped David by providing him with food and Goliath's sword. Saul summoned Ahimelech and all the priests of Nob. Saul asked Ahimelech why he had conspired against him with David. Ahimelech asked Saul why he should not follow the commands of the king's bodyguard and son-in-law (David). Saul did not care about the explanation and sentenced Ahimelech and all the priests to death. Saul ordered his guard to kill all the priests, but the guard refused. Saul then told Doeg the Edomite to do it. Doeg killed the priests and even went to Nob and killed every man, woman, child, donkey, and sheep in Nob. Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, escaped and went to find David. When Abiathar found David, David told Abiathar to stay with him.

Shortly after, David was told that Keilah was under attack, and David went to God and asked if he should go and fight for Keilah. God told him to go and fight for Keilah. David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines, and David and his men had a great victory over them and saved the inhabitants there.

Afterward, David told Abiathar to come to him and to bring his ephod. Saul found out that David was in Keilah, and Saul believed that God had given David over to him. Saul summoned an army to go with him and went to Keilah. David, however, knew that Saul was coming, so, using the ephod, he asked God if the people of Keilah would give him over to Saul. God warned David that Keilah's people would give him over to Saul. So David took his men and left. When Saul was informed that David had left Keilah, he gave up the expedition against David. David then hid in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul continued to seek out David, but God would not reveal David's whereabouts to Saul.

The Pursuit of David Continues

When David was in the wilderness of Ziph, Jonathan came to him and told him that Saul would not find him. Jonathan told David that David would be king of Israel and that Jonathan would be by his side. The two friends made a covenant to honor this promise. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan returned home.

Then, the Ziphites went to Saul and told him that David was hiding out in the wilderness near them. Saul was pleased with the Ziphites and thanked them for the information. Saul then asked the Ziphites to find out exactly where David was hiding. The Ziphites left first, and then Saul followed after them. David was hiding in the wilderness of Maon. Saul heard about David being there, and Saul sought him there. At one point, Saul was on one side of the mountain, and David was on the other side. Saul heard the Philistines attacking, so he left the pursuit of David and went to follow the Philistines. David moved to Engedi.

When Saul returned, he was informed that David was in Engedi. Saul took three thousand men. When Saul was near the sheepfolds, he went into a cave to relieve himself. David was in that cave—he and his men were hiding there. David snuck up on Saul and cut off a corner of his robe. David told his men that he could not do anything against Saul since he was an anointed king, and he persuaded them not to attack Saul. Saul left the cave, and David followed him out and bowed. David told Saul that he could have killed him if he had wanted to, but he would not.

Saul then told David that David was more righteous than him because David had spared his life. He told David that he would surely be the king of Israel. He asked David to swear that David would not harm his offspring. David swore this to Saul. Saul went home, and David and his men went into the stronghold.

Summary

David was running away and hiding from Saul. First, David went to Nob to see Ahimelech, the priest. He asked the priest for food, and the priest gave him day-old holy bread, which was meant only for the priest because it had been consecrated. David asked for weapons, and Ahimelech gave David the sword that David had used to kill Goliath. Saul heard about this and called Ahimelech before him. Saul ordered Ahimelech to be killed, but his guard would not kill a priest, so Doeg killed Ahimelech and his men. Doeg then went to Nob and killed all of the inhabitants.

David went to Gath and had to act crazy to escape. Afterward, David went to Keilah to help the people, but he later had to leave to avoid Saul. Saul continued trying to find David. David finally came across Saul and cut off part of Saul's robe, and he told Saul that he could have killed him. This made Saul realize that David was not trying to hurt him.

Application and Reflection

Application

Saul chased David everywhere he went because he feared David becoming king. David avoided him every step of the way. Sometimes we all chase after fears that may or may not become a reality. Ultimately, it is essential to recognize that God is in control, and we must let Him guide our way.