Community on Columbia

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

David secures a place of safety for his family in Moab, and then returns to Judah at the direction of the seer Gad. Meanwhile, Doeg informs King Saul about the High Priest Ahimelech’s aid to David. Saul orders the High Priest and all the other priests killed as traitors. David realizes it was his presence there that caused the murders. He writes Psalm 52 in condemnation of Doeg.

Notes on 1 Samuel 22:1-23

David flees to the Philistine court of King Achish in Gath, Goliath’s home city. His identity is discovered, and he has to feign madness, which causes Achish to send him away. Psalm 34 and 56 are written based on this incident.

Notes on 1 Samuel 21:10-15

David is now an outlaw. He seeks aid from the priests tending the Tabernacle, but Saul’s servant Doeg the Edomite sees him there. David and his companions receive the shewbread to eat, and David is given Goliath’s sword.

Notes on 1 Samuel 21:1-10