Story 84: Da'vid Pursued By Saul l

   When Da'vid said farewell to Jon'a-than and went away in exile, never to return to the house of the king, he must have known that Saul had been rejected by the LORD, and that he was destined to occupy the throne of Is'ra-el. Instead of leading a revolution, however, he merely sought to protect his own life. He went away, not as a rebel, but as a loyal subject of the king whose unjust hatred and murderous envy had forced him to flee.
   During the trying times which followed he may have done some things which seem far beneath the nobility of character and uprightness of conduct which had marked his career up to this time, but never was he guilty of the slightest act of treason or disloyalty to the king. Even while he was being sought by Saul under the false charge of outlawry, he led his followers in war against Is'ra-el's enemies, and on more than one occasion saved his nation from attacks by invading heathens. Twice he spared the life of Saul when the king was completely in his power.
   Soon after leaving Jon'a-than, Da'vid visited a place called Nob, which was not far from Je-ru'sa-lem on the road to the north. A priest named A-him'e-lech was in charge of the place of worship in this little town, and his son A-bi'a-thar acted as an assistant. Da'vid was very hungry, but did not think it safe to ask the townspeople for food; knowing that the priest would not betray him to Saul, he asked for bread. The priest replied that the only food he had was the shewbread which was being removed from the sacred table, the time having come when it must be replaced with fresh bread. It was unlawful for anyone except the priests to eat this bread. However, A-bi'a-thar was so touched by Da'vid's urgent need that he gave him the shewbread, and the conduct of both Da'vid and the priest was approved hundreds of years later by the SAV'IOR.
   Da'vid thought it best not to tell A-him'e-lech that he was fleeing from Saul because the king sought his life, but did say that he had left the king's house in such haste that he had failed to provide himself with a sword. He probably knew that the weapon which he had taken from Go-li'ath after their memorable combat had been placed in the shrine at Nob for safekeeping, and for this reason asked the priest for a sword. The priest told him that this was the only sword at hand, and gladly gave it to him.
   The visit of Da'vid to Nob was followed by a sad event in which Saul was guilty of a terrible crime. An E'dom-ite named Do'eg, a chief herdsman of Saul, happened to be present when Da'vid was given the shewbread to eat. He reported the incident to Saul, and the angry king summoned A-him'e-lech and all the priests of his family to come to Gib'e-ah at once. After accusing them of befriending an enemy of the king, Saul commanded his guards to slay them, but the soldiers shrank in holy fear from laying violent hands upon the priests of GOD.

Story 83: Jon'a-than's Arrow Warns Da'vid Of Saul's Anger ll

   Jon'a-than and Da'vid arranged a clever plan by which the latter could be secretly informed of Saul's feelings toward him. On the day following the close of the festival Da'vid was to hide behind some cliffs in the shallow valley between Gib'e-ah and Nob, while Jon'a-than was to take his bow and shoot three arrows in the direction of Da'vid's hiding place. If the arrows were shot beyond the hiding place, it would be a sign of danger; if they fell short, it meant that Saul intended no harm toward Da'vid. A boy was to be brought along to pick up the arrows, and Da'vid was to learn the message from his friend through the directions given to the boy.
   On the first day of the feast Da'vid's place was vacant, but Saul made no inquiry. On the second day the king noticed the absence of Da'vid and asked Jon'a-than why he had not been there on either day of the festival. Jon'a-than mentioned Da'vid's wish to attend the service at Beth'le-hem, and told his father that he had given him permission to go. Saul was so vexed with his son for taking the part of Da'vid that he hurled a spear at him. He accused the young prince of forming the strongest ties of friendship with a rival to the throne, and tried to turn him against Da'vid by appealing to his own ambition and self-advantage. Saul then declared with vehement anger, "As for Da'vid, he shall surely die"; and ordered his men to see to it that the young officer was brought to him at once.
   On the following day Jon'a-than went to the place agreed upon with Da'vid and shot the arrows beyond the place of hiding, shouting to the boy he had brought with him, "The arrow is beyond thee!" Then he sent the boy away and went into the field to meet Da'vid. The two devoted friends embraced and kissed each other on the cheek, weeping bitterly as they faced a separation which might be long. Da'vid, who seems to have been the more deeply affected of the two, clung to Jon'a-than a long time before he could bear to let him go; then he said, "Go in peace, the LORD shall be between me and thee, and between my children and thy children forever."
   From this time to the end of Saul's reign, Da'vid led the life of a roaming exile and hunted outlaw. He wandered over the country, spending most of his time in the wilderness south of Je-ru'sa-lem, constantly pursued by the soldiers of the angry king.

Story 83: Jon'a-than's Arrow Warns Da'vid Of Saul's Anger l

   While Da'vid was at Na'ioth, Saul made two unsuccessful attempts to have him captured. He sent messengers to arrest him and bring him back to the king's court, But on each occasion the messengers were so carried away by the religious zeal of the prophets that they took part in the worship, and finally returnt without Da'vid. Saul then decided to go after Da'vid himself, but as he came near Sam'u-el's house he was suddenly filled with a strange religious excitement; all day and all night he was in the power of the Spirit of GOD, calling upon His name as if He were a prophet. While the king was in this exalted state Da'vid went to his friend Jon'a-than for advice. Saul's anger seems to have been subdued by his strange experience at Na'ioth, for he went quietly home after yielding to Sam'u-el's urgings that he give up his unjustified hatred for Da'vid.

   It appears that by this time there was an understanding between Jon'a-than and Da'vid that no member of Saul's family should be permitted to succeed him as king, and that Da'vid was destined to become the ruler of Is'ra-el. In the heart of Jon'a-than, however, there was no resentment to the Will of GOD nor ill-feeling toward Da'vid.

   In the meeting between Jon'a-than and Da'vid at this time their covenant of perpetual friendship was renewed, and Da'vid promised that in the event of Jon'a-than's death he would always show kindness to the family and descendants of his friend.

   On the day after this meeting there began at the king's house a festival in honor of the new moon. This festival lasted for two days, and it was customary for all members of the king's family to attend. Da'vid and Jon'a-than knew that it would be dangerous for the young captain to appear at Saul's table for the festival, but they also felt that his absence might be taken as an insult to Saul. It was important that Da'vid find out Saul's intentions toward him before renewing his visits to his home.

   The plan adopted by the two bosom friends at this time was most unusual. Since there was a religious festival going on at Beth'le-hem at the same time, it was decided that Da'vid should stay away from the gathering at Saul's house, and that Jon'a-than should explain the absence by saying that he wished to be with his family during the services at Beth'le-hem. It was felt by both of these young men that the manner on which Saul accepted the absence of Da'vid from the feast in his home would indicate his future intentions.

Story 82: Saul's Increasing Jealousy; Jon'a-than's Love For Da'vid lll

   Not many days passed before Jon'a-than had an opportunity to prove his friendship. Saul announced to his officers that he intended to kill Da'vid at once, and Jon'a-than came forward to plead for the condemned officer. He then secretly warned Da'vid of his great danger, advising him to go into hiding until he could intercede with his father.
   Jon'a-than then boldly, but with proper respect for his father defended his young friend. In gentle tones he reminded Saul of Da'vid's willingness to give his life for the welfare of the nation when he slew Go-li'ath, and when he attacked the Phi-lis'tines, and of his unquestioned loyalty to the king in all his services. The king's anger was quieted for the time, and he gave his word that Da'vid should not be slain. The young captain was welcomed once more at the king's house, and was encouraged to resume his service in the army. This he did, and slew large numbers of Phi-lis'tines in battle.
   Before long, however, Saul was troubled again by fits of depression and unrest, so Da'vid tried to soothe him by playing the harp. Once again the king's sudden anger led him to hurl a javelin at the one who sought to help him, but again Da'vid was unharmed. Men were sent to guard the home of Da'vid so that he could not escape, and Saul declared that he should be slain the next morning.
   Mi'chal's quick thinking saved the life of her husband on this occasion. After helping him escape through a window, she placed an idol in Da'vid's bed and told the messengers of Saul that he was too ill to be disturbed. Her trick succeeded, but the next day Saul ordered that Da'vid be brought to him in his bed, so that he might slay him at once. Saul then rebuked his daughter severely for deceiving him, and she defended herself by saying that Da'vid had threatened to kill her if she did not help him. This was not true, but it made many people believe that she was secretly in league with her father in the effort to take the life of Da'vid.
   After making his escape, Da'vid went directly to the home of the prophet Sam'u-el in Ra'mah and told him of Saul's repeated efforts to kill him. It must have brought great relief and peace of mind to Da'vid to enjoy once again the friendly help and advice of the religious leader of the nation. They talked together for a long time, and then went to a place called Na'ioth, where a group of young prophets were engaged in worship. How long Da'vid remained here we are not told, but it was probably for a considerable time. It is thought by some that it was during this restful period in company with the prophets that he wrote the part of the 119th Psalm which so beautifully describes the security of those who trust in the Law of the LORD. Here are some of the gems from that Psalm which may well describe Da'vid's feelings at the time:
               "Princes did also sit and speak against me;
               But thy servant did meditate in Thy statues.
               The proud have had me in derision,
               Yet have I not declined from Thy Law.
               Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me;
               Yet Thy Commandments are my delight.
               Oh how I love Thy Law!
               It is my meditation all the day.
               The Law of Thy mouth is better unto me
               Than thousands of gold and silver.
               I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are right,
               And Thou in faithfulness has afflicted me.
               It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
               That I might learn Thy statutes."
              

Story 82: Saul's Increasing Jealousy; Jon'a-than's Love For Da'vid ll

   Saul was so determined to entrap Da'vid in some scheme which would cost him his life, that he sent his courtiers to the brave officer with a new proposal. They told Da'vid that he would be given the hand of Mi'chal in marriage when he had slain one hundred Phi-lis'tines. He accepted this challenge to his bravery, went out against the Phi-lis'tines, and slew twice the number required by the crafty king.
   The king then had no other choice than to permit the marriage of Da'vid and Mi'chal, which took place at once. The Phi-lis'tines thought that Da'vid would follow the He'brew custom which exempted newly married men from military service for one year, so they planned a series of attacks upon Is'ra-el in revenge for the losses which they had suffered at the hands of this great warrior.
   Instead of taking advantage of this privilege, Da'vid remained on active service in the army and proved himself more valiant than ever; so successful was he in these new combats that Saul's jealousy and determination to have him killt became more fierce with every passing day. As Da'vid continued to grow in favor with the people, Saul's hatred for him broke out in desperate attacks upon his life.
   The one earthly source of cheer and hope for Da'vid during these trials was his friendship with Jon'a-than, Saul's eldest son. They were drawn together by kindred qualities of nobility, heroism, and love for the LORD. Just as the shepherd lad had proved his courageous faith by meeting the giant in single combat, so the young prince of Is'ra-el had shown the same boldness when he scaled the rock and entered the garrison of the Phi-lis'tines. They were both possessed with great concern for the welfare of Is'ra-el, and by the spirit of humility which always accompanies true greatness.
   It is not strange, therefore, that when the young shepherd stood before Saul and proved his holy motives both by humble conduct and noble words, Jon'a-than's heart went out to him with an affection stronger than life or death. "He loved him as he loved his own soul," and there began on that day a friendship which has long been famed in history. The hearts of the two young men were bount together in a spiritual union which has seldom been equaled.
   Jon'a-than then displayed the highest mark of honor which a prince can bestow upon a subject. He gave Da'vid his own royal robes and official weapons of war, and announced his willingness to give up his own advantages as the son of the king for the good of his friend. A perpetual covenant of friendship between the two young men was made that day, and it withstood the strains of the civil war and revolution in which Da'vid became an outlaw and a fugitive.

Story 82: Saul's Increasing Jealousy; Jon'a-than's Love For Da'vid l

   After the heroic feat of Da'vid in slaying Go-li'ath in single combat, Saul showed the same ungrateful, selfish spirit which had possessed him after the victory of his eldest son Jon'a-than at Mich'mash. He pretended not to know who Da'vid was, and tried to deprive him of the honor in which he was held by the people. The love which Saul had once felt toward his young musician was now turnt into envy, for the king could not bear to hear anyone praised but himself.
   Da'vid came back from his great victory carrying the head of Go-li'ath, which he presented to the king. Under the circumstances, Saul was forced to acknowledge Da'vid's bravery by suitable honors and rewards, so he received him into his own house and made him an officer in the army.
   A few days passed before the armies returnt from pursuing the Phi-lis'tines, and the usual celebrations of victory took place. When the soldiers returnt, Da'vid took his place among them in the triumphal march, for his victory over Go-li'ath had done more than anything else to end the war.
   Even though Saul had already publicly honored the heroism of Da'vid and had appointed him as an officer in his army, he could not overcome his envy; to hear the people sing the praises of one who had put his own glory to shame deeply aroused the king's anger. Da'vid's loyalty to the army won him the good-will of the other officers and soldiers, while his courage in warfare made him more popular than ever with the Is'ra-el-ites. Much as he hated to do it, Saul was obliged to show Da'vid the same courtesy and favor which the other officers enjoyed, and to send him out in battle whenever the peace of Is'ra-el was threatened by further uprisings by the Phi-lis'tines.
   These circumstances brought great unhappiness to Saul, and he fell once again into fits of melancholy and fierce unrest. He was constantly haunted by Sam'u-el's report that the LORD had chosen another to take his place upon the throne. The black moods which had been the occasion for bringing the shepherd boy to him some years before now became worse than ever. So Da'vid was invited once more to play the harp for him with the hope that these trying spells might be driven away. This time, however, the sweet music of Da'vid no longer soothed the troubled spirit of the king. Saul's heart was filled with murderous jealousy, for he began to suspect that the young hero was the LORD'S choice for the throne of Is'ra-el. Twice he tried to kill Da'vid by throwing a javelin at him,  but each time the young man was able to dodge the deadly weapon.
   Convinced that the LORD was with Da'vid, and that he himself was rejected by GOD, Saul decided to place him in command of a thousand men in some outpost where he could not see him. But even this plan did not overcome his determination to do away with  Da'vid. He began to seek some means of having him killed by some of the officers, or by the Phi-lis'tines in battle.
   Saul pretended to have great admiration for Da'vid because of his bravery and prudent behavior, and offered to give him his eldest daughter in marriage. Of course, he did not really wish to have Da'vid become his son-in-law, but the offer was made in the hope of encouraging him to attempt such dangerous exploits in war that he would eventually be killed. Saul had no intention of keeping his promise, and when the time came for Da'vid to marry Me'rab, the princess who had been promised him in marriage, it was found that she had been given to another officer in the army.
   In the meantime Saul's younger daughter Mi'chal had fallen in love with the noble young officer, and the king proposed once more to make Da'vid his son-in-law. He was no more sincere this time than before, and his failure to keep the promise concerning Me'rab seems to have led Da'vid to pay little attention to the second proposal.
  

Story 81: A Shepherd Boy Slays The Phi-lis'tine Giant lll

   Go-li'ath felt insulted when he and his armor-bearer stood before the young shepherd of Is'ra-el. Here was a mere boy, armed only with a staff and sling, going out to meet the greatest warrior of the Phi-lis'tine nation as though he were about to kill a dog with a club. Go-li'ath then announced that he would feed the flesh of his opponent to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.
   The taunts of Go-li'ath were quietly answered by Da'vid with confidence in GOD'S help, and with an assurance of victory which could have been given to him only by the LORD. He boldly met the defiance and scorn of the giant with these inspired words:
               "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the
               name of the LORD of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Is'ra-el, whom thou hast defied. This day
               will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee;
               and I will give the carcass of the host of the Phi-lis'tines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to
               the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a GOD in Is'ra-el. And all this
               assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with the sword and spear, for the battle is the
               LORD'S, and He will give you into our hands."
   Da'vid then took one of the smooth stones from his shepherd's bag, placed it in his sling, and hurled it with deadly aim at the forehead of the giant. The stone pierced the skull of the giant, and Go-li'ath fell to the ground. Da'vid then rushed up to the fallen giant, drew Go-li'ath's sword, cut off the head of his enemy, and carried it back to the camps of Is'ra-el as a trophy of his victory.
   This super-human feat of Da'vid was accomplished by his grasp upon the unseen forces of GOD. He fully believed that GOD who had delivered him out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, would also deliver him out of the hand of the giant Phi-lis'tine. His previous life had been a life of faith unseen, and hence he was ready for any emergency. It was to the LIVING GOD that he turnt for his pivotal victory.
   The death of their champion struck terror into the hearts of the Phi-lis'tine armies, and they fled toward their own land, different groups taking three separate routes in their efforts to escape death at the hands of the pursuing Is'ra-el-ites. The armies of Is'ra-el slew thousands of the fleeing Phi-lis'tines, pursuing the remnants of the defeated armies even to the gates of their cities of Ek'ron and Gath. Da'vid meanwhile took the head of Go-li'ath to Je-ru'sa-lem, and later delivered it to Saul in person.