As Saul faced his end, he became so frustrated with God’s silence that he sought out counsel in a way he knew was wrong. David, on the other hand, considered coming back to Israel alongside the Philistine army but is rebuffed just as Saul was rebuffed by God — and Samuel.
Tag: King Saul
David grows weary of trying to keeping one step away from Saul in the land. David doesn’t want Israelite blood on his hands so he flees to Philistia to hide from Saul there. During his time under the Philistines, David continues his attacks on the enemies of God.0
Saul continues to pursue David into En Gedi, a mountainous region on the western shore of what is now called the Dead Sea. Saul thinks he has the upper hand but David is given the opportunity to turn the tables on Saul and deliver himself from Saul’s pursuit, yet David holds back and does not kill Saul. David’s actions fulfilled a prophesy and sent a message to Saul which Saul acknowledged for a time.
David is fleeing Sha’ul (Saul) and at the same time liberating towns from Philistine occupation but more often than not, he experiences betrayal rather than gratitude. When David would have a right to despair whether he had any friends or allies, Yahunatan/Yonatan (Jonathan) finds David and renews their covenant. David learns a lesson about when to “throw your hat into the ring” and when to “mind your own business.”
Sha’ul (Saul) responds to the loyalty of his servants by accusing them of betrayal and favoring David. Doeg, an Edomite, wants to gain favor with Sha’ul by exaggerating his chance sighting of David at the priestly compound in Nob. Doeg continues to try to gain favor with Sha’ul by willingly obey a grizzly order that none of the men of Israel want to obey.
David flees Saul on Jonathan’s command since Saul had set out to kill him. He first flees to the priestly city of Nob and later flees to the land of the Philistines, his sworn enemy.
Yahunatan (Jonathan) during a New Moon celebration learns that his father, Sha’ul (Saul) the ruler, plans to kill his best friend, David. Yahunatan creates a signaling method involving three days and three arrows to let David know to flee.