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David Flees
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nation for his evil act. He laid a trap, urging David to fight against
the Philistines with still greater vigor, promising the oldest daughter
of the royal house as a reward. David’s modest answer to this offer
was, “Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel,
that I should be son-in-law to the king?” The monarch showed his
insincerity by marrying the princess to someone else.
Michal, Saul’s youngest daughter, was offered to David on con-
dition that he give evidence of having slaughtered a specified number
of their enemies. “Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the
Philistines,” but David returned as victor from the battle, to become
the king’s son-in-law. “Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him,” and the
enraged king was still more sure that this was the man whom the
Lord had said was better than he and who would reign in his place.
No longer concealing his feelings, he ordered his officers to take the
life of the one he hated.
Jonathan reminded the king about what David had done to pre-
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serve the honor and life of the nation, and what terrible guilt would
rest on anyone who murdered the one whom God had used to scatter
their enemies. The conscience of the king was touched. “And Saul
swore, ‘As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.’” David was brought
to Saul, and he served in his presence as in the past.
David Leads the Victorious Army
Again the nation declared war, and David led the army against
their enemies. The Hebrews gained a great victory, and the people
praised David’s wisdom and heroism. This served to stir up the
former bitterness of Saul against him. While the young man was
playing, filling the palace with sweet harmony, Saul’s anger over-
came him and he hurled a javelin at David, but the angel of the Lord
turned aside the deadly weapon. David escaped and fled to his own
house. Saul sent spies to take him in the morning and put an end to
his life.
Michal informed David of her father’s intentions. She urged
him to flee, and she let him down from the window to make his
escape. He fled to Samuel at Ramah, where the prophet welcomed
the fugitive. It was here, amid the hills, that the honored servant of
the Lord continued his work. A company of prophets closely studied