Relations between Saul and David worsen while it grows stronger with Saul’s son, Jonathan. Jonathan talked some sense into his father and his pursuit to murder David stopped. Still suspicious, however, Saul again tries to kill David, the “rival” to his throne.
David was not safe at the royal court or any permanent residence. He, however, was not a vagabond (or “hobo” using American verbiage) but a refugee, hunted and pursued. David lived for some 13 years in this tense and conflicting set of circumstances.
David on the Run
Read 1 Samuel 21:1-6
- What does David tell the priest why he is there?
- What does David request? Why?
- Instead of regular bread, what does he receive to eat?
“Bread of the Presence”: In front of the Holy of Holies, the Tabernacle had a gold-veneered Table for the Bread of the Presence (Ex 25:23-30), with bread and wine on it (Lev 24:5-7; Num 15:5-7, 28:7). Each Sabbath, the priests would eat the bread and drink the wine (Lev 24:9; Num 15:5-7, 28:7).
“the young men”: Men who rallied around David to support him in his exile. In time, this grows to about 600 men.
Read 1 Samuel 21:7-9
- What did Ahimelech the priest give to David?
David flees to Philistia and then goes to hide in a cave 15 miles southwest of Jerusalem. There, his supporters grow to 400 men: those who were in trouble, in debt, or discontented (2 Sam 22:2).
Read 1 Samuel 22:11-20
- Is Saul accurate when he describes what Ahimelech did?
- How does Saul deal with Ahimelech’s perceived treachery?
Read 1 Samuel 23:1-5
- How did God use David?
- How does this help prepare to serve as king?
The supporters around David now grows to 600 (2 Sam 23:13). Few of them understand everything taking place as David does. Some join David as the next king of Israel. Others come to him because of Saul’s poor leadership. Others suffered some injustice by Saul’s hand. Some view their support of David as an alternative to prison or a way to be free from debt. David leads a group of people with various backgrounds in the wilderness, honing his leadership skills.
Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18
- What does Saul know about the loyalties of his son, Jonathan?
- What takes place, which shows us Jonathan supports David as the king?
The last Judge, Samuel, dies. Saul continues to pursue David when the Philistine foray into Israel on a raid. David and his men hide in a large cave where it was dark.
Read 1 Samuel 24
- What does David not do?
- How does this turn into Saul publicly exonerating David?
David Learns Mercy, not Revenge
David just spared Saul’s life. How ironic for David now to need someone to who him he was not immune from human weaknesses and failings. David was quite willing to destroy one of Israel’s citizens who crossed him. The seek food and drink from a man, named Nabal, which means “fool” in Hebrew. Nabal rebuffs David’s request. Abigail brings food and drink and delivers it to David’s men.
Read 1 Samuel 25:21-28
- What does Abigail do?
Abigail wished for David’s enemies to be like Nabal—not dead at the end of a sword, as David envisioned—but foolish, devoid of understanding. Abigail reveals a God who didn’t need David’s sword to deal with Nabal any more than He needed David’s sword to deal with Saul. Such profound words from this brave woman.
Read 1 Samuel 25:32-35
- How did David respond?
On the Run Again
Saul continues to pursue David. David learns of Saul’s whereabouts and sneaks into his camp.
Read 1 Samuel 26:2-12
- What does David not do a second time?
Read 1 Samuel 26:21-25
- How does Saul respond this second time David spared his life?
Saul’s words to acquit and honor David are important–so are those who heard them. Three-thousand of Saul’s soldiers witnessed how David spared Saul’s life and how Saul vindicated David and proclaimed him innocent (1 Samuel 24: 21; 26: 2). Later, when called on to follow David, they will not hesitate. The rest of Israel now has 3,000 witnesses about the character of David. Those 3,000 heard Saul vindicate David not once but twice. Saul provided the “two witnesses” needed to convict under Jewish law–and in this case, he convicted himself as unfit to serve as king.
Still, Saul pursues David. Saul even went to a medium to speak to Samuel, who earlier died. Samuel tells Saul his reign will soon be over and he will die fighting the Philistines (2 Samuel 28:15-19).
The Death of Saul
Read 1 Samuel 31:1-7
- How does Saul die? Who also dies?
Read 2 Samuel 1:1-10
- What does David hear about how Saul had died?
- Which account is correct?
David kills the Amalekite who boasted to David about killing Saul. David said he was not authorized to kill “the Lord’s anointed” (2 Sam 1:14).
David grieves the Death of Saul and Jonathan
Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27
“Book of Jashar”: “The Book of the Upright.” A collection of Hebrew poetry commemorating significant events in the early history of Israel. Little else is known of this text, which is now lost, except for another excerpt appearing in Joshua 10:12-13.
David’s succession to the empty throne is not a foregone conclusion. Saul ruled in the northern kingdom of Israel; David’s power base is in the southern area of Judah. David now has to win over the northerners and unite north and south.
