408
From Eternity Past
to war against the Philistines with still greater vigor, promising as a
reward the eldest daughter of the royal house. To this proposal David’s
modest answer 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
manifested his insincerity by wedding the princess to another.
Michal, Saul’s youngest daughter, was offered the young man on
condition that evidence be given of the slaughter of a specified number
of their foes. “Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the
Philistines,” but David returned a victor from the battle, to become
the king’s son-in-law. “Michal Saul’s daughter loved David,” and the
monarch, enraged, was still more assured that this was the man whom
the Lord had said was better than he and who should reign in his place.
Throwing off all disguise, he issued a command to the officers of the
court to take the life of the one he hated.
Jonathan presented before the king what David had done to pre-
serve the honor and life of the nation, and what terrible guilt would
rest upon the murderer of the one whom God had used to scatter their
enemies. The conscience of the king was touched. “And Saul sware,
[474]
As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.” David was brought to Saul,
and he ministered in his presence as in the past.
David Leads Victorious Army
Again war was declared and David led the army against their
enemies. A great victory was gained by the Hebrews, and the people
praised his 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 passion overcame 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 that they might take him in the morning and put an end to
his life.
Michal informed David of the purpose of her father. She urged him
to flee and 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 seers with him studied closely the will of
God and listened reverently to the words of instruction that fell from