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The Noble Spirit of David
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 22:20-23; 23 to 27.
“One of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abi-
athar, escaped and fled after David. And Abiathar told David that
Saul had killed the Lord’s priests. So David said to Abiathar, ‘I knew
that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely
tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father’s
house. Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks
your life, but with me you shall be safe.’”
Still hunted by the king, David’s brave group retreated to the
wilderness of Ziph. At this time, when there were so few bright spots
in the path of David, he received an unexpected visit from Jonathan.
These two friends told each other about their many experiences, and
Jonathan cheered the heart of David, saying, “Do not fear, for the
hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over
Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.”
The hunted fugitive was greatly encouraged. “So the two of them
made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods,
and Jonathan went to his own house.”
The Ziphites sent word to Saul in Gibeah that they knew where
David was hiding and that they would guide the king to his retreat.
But David, warned of their intentions, changed his location, seeking
safety in the mountains between Maon and the Dead Sea.
Again a message came to Saul, “‘Take note! David is in the
Wilderness of En Gedi.’ Then Saul took three thousand chosen men
from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of
the Wild Goats.” David had only six hundred men in his company.
The son of Jesse waited in a secluded cave for God’s guidance about
what to do.
As Saul was making his way up the mountains, he entered alone
the very cave in which David and his people were hiding. When
David’s men saw this they urged their leader to kill Saul. The king
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