Chapter 64—David a Fugitive
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 18
to
22
.
After the slaying of Goliath, Saul kept David with him, and would
not permit him to return to his father’s house. And it came to pass that
“the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan
loved him as his own soul.” Jonathan and David made a covenant to
be united as brethren, and the king’s son “stripped himself of the robe
that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his
sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” David was entrusted with
important responsibilities, yet he preserved his modesty, and won the
affection of the people as well as the royal household.
“David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself
wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war.” David was prudent and
faithful, and it was evident that the blessing of God was with him. Saul
at times realized his own unfitness for the government of Israel, and he
felt that the kingdom would be more secure if there could be connected
with him one who received instruction from the Lord. Saul hoped also
that his connection with David would be a safeguard to himself. Since
David was favored and shielded by the Lord, his presence might be a
protection to Saul when he went out with him to war.
It was the providence of God that had connected David with Saul.
David’s position at court would give him a knowledge of affairs, in
preparation for his future greatness. It would enable him to gain the
confidence of the nation. The vicissitudes and hardships which befell
him, through the enmity of Saul, would lead him to feel his dependence
upon God, and to put his whole trust in Him. And the friendship of
Jonathan for David was also of God’s providence, to preserve the life
of the future ruler of Israel. In all these things God was working out
His gracious purposes, both for David and for the people of Israel.
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Saul, however, did not long remain friendly to David. When Saul
and David were returning from battle with the Philistines, “the women
came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul,
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