Chapter 65—The Magnanimity of David
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 22:20- 23
;
23-27
.
After Saul’s atrocious slaughter of the priests of the Lord, “one of
the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped,
and fled after David. And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain
the Lord’s priests. And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day,
when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul:
I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy
life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”
Still hunted by the king, David found no place of rest or secu-
rity. At Keilah his brave band saved the town from capture by the
Philistines, but they were not safe, even among the people whom they
had delivered. From Keilah they repaired to the wilderness of Ziph.
At this time, when there were so few bright spots in the path of
David, he was rejoiced to receive an unexpected visit from Jonathan,
who had learned the place of his refuge. Precious were the moments
which these two friends passed in each other’s society. They related
their varied experiences, and Jonathan strengthened the heart of David,
saying, “Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee;
and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that
also Saul my father knoweth.” As they talked of the wonderful dealings
of God with David, the hunted fugitive was greatly encouraged. “And
they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the
wood, and Jonathan went to his house.”
After the visit of Jonathan, David encouraged his soul with songs
of praise, accompanying his voice with his harp as he sang:
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