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David imagines Saul will never give up pursuing him. In his despair he decides to flee to the Philistine King Achish along with his men and their families, and sign on as mercenaries. This proves to be a disastrous decision in the long run, but provides a lesson in faith for us.

Notes on 1 Samuel 27:1-12

The Ziphites again betray David’s location, and again David spares Saul, this time taking his spear and a jug of water by his side as he sleeps. And again Saul regrets his pursuit of David and blesses him. But regret is not the same as repentance, and Saul’s jealousy of David would continue.

Notes on 1 Samuel 26:1-25

When David’s messengers to Nabal, a wealthy but foolish local herder, are rebuffed, he prepares to avenge his honor with an attack. But Nabal’s wife, Abigail, intercedes, cooling David’s anger and attracting his eye with her beauty and diplomacy. Nabal is struck dumb and immobilized when she explains the situation to him, and he dies 10 days later. David then takes Abigail as his wife.

Notes on 1 Samuel 25:1-44

Saul, in pursuit of David with 3,000 men, enters a cave alone in En-Gedi where David and his men are hiding. David sneaks up and cuts off the corner of Saul’s garment without his knowledge, then later shows it to Saul as proof of his good intentions. Saul repents of his anger and affirms that David will be king. But this good will is short-lived.

Notes on 1 Samuel 24:1-22

When David flees to the Wilderness of Ziph, the Ziphites betray him to King Saul. Jonathan finds him first and encourages him. Then Saul surrounds David and his men, but they slip away through a miraculous intervention. David later wrote Psalm 54 about this incident.

Notes on 1 Samuel 23:14-29

David and his men hear that the Philistines are “robbing the threshing floors” at the town of Keilah, so after inquiring of God through Abiathar the high priest, they attack and route the enemy. But Saul now thinks he has a chance of capturing David.

Notes on 1 Samuel 23:1-13