In spite of his sterling service, David is forced to run for his life. He had stopped at Nob to gain food and weapons, but then ran to Gath to hide. When recognized there, he was forced to come up with another plan.

David ran to a “badlands” area where he was joined by all kinds of outlaws, thugs, revolutionaries and adventurers. His family joined him, but he escorted his parents to Moab for safety. From there, in response to a prophetic warning, he slipped into a densely forested area.

Saul railed against his own men for their “disloyalty.” Doeg the Edomite told of David’s visit to the priests at Nob, and Saul summoned Ahimelech and his whole family. When the priest arrived, Saul accused him of treachery, but Ahimelech innocently pointed out David’s high position and the honor Saul paid him. Saul sentenced them all to death, but the guards refused to carry out the sentence. As an Edomite, Doeg had no such scruples and promptly murdered 85 priests and sacked and looted Nob. Abiathar escaped to tell David, and David kept him with the band of fugitives after that.

The king’s primary job was defense of the nation. Saul was so busy chasing David, though, that the Philistines invaded and looted a small city. God instructed David to go and save those people, and he took his rag-tag bunch of outlaws into battle, beating the Philistines decisively.

Saul heard that David was located in the town and he rushed to capture him. When David inquired of God, he was told that the people would definitely deliver him up to Saul, so he and his 600 men left. Saul abandoned the attempt to take him at Keilah, but continued searching the wilderness. Meanwhile, Jonathan slipped away to meet David and encourage him.

At one point, men from the town of Ziph informed on David, and Saul rushed down to capture him. David and his men fled, but Saul’s forces were closing in when Saul was pulled away by a greater emergency-an invasion by the Philistines. David was saved by God’s intervention.

Having chased off the Philistines, Saul returned to the pursuit of David. With 3,000 chosen men, he began to scour a wilderness are in the south. In that region were permanent sheep pens with a large cave nearby. Saul entered the cave to relieve himself. In that very cave, David and his men were hiding. In spite of the urging of his men, David only crept up and cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.

Afterward, David regretted even that insubordination, and when Saul left the cave, he followed, protesting his innocence. The piece of fabric in his hand testified that, had he been bent on evil, he could have killed Saul on the spot. Saul was shaken, but recognized his debt to David. He took David’s oath to safeguard Saul’s family, then left. David and his men returned to their hideout.

Samuel died and the nation mourned. David remained in the wilderness living near a man of great wealth. At shearing time, a feasting occasion, David sent representatives to Nabal, hoping for a substantial gift-especially in light of the fact that he allowed none of his men to molest Nabal’s herds or shepherds.

Nabal answered with a very insulting reply and sent the messengers away empty-handed. David was furious and resolved to sack the household. Meanwhile, a servant informed Abigail of the situation and she took action. She loaded a substantial gift of food and sent it ahead. When she encountered David, she claimed responsibility for the mistake since she had not heard his messengers. She turned David’s wrath aside and secured the lives of her household.

When she returned home, Nabal was too drunk to understand, so she waited until the next morning to tell him of his narrow escape. In shock, he suffered a stroke or heart attack and lingered for 10 days before dying. David quickly married Abigail-and secured the dead man’s property.

Again, men from Ziph informed Saul of David’s location and Saul set out in pursuit with his 3,000 men. David scouted his location and asked for a volunteer to go with him. His cousin, Abishai, agreed and together they crept to Saul’s side. Abishai pleaded for one stroke with his spear, but David forbade it. They sneaked away Saul’s spear and water jug and crept out of the camp.

When safely away, David taunted Abner, Saul’s chief commander. Again, David protested his innocence and offered the spear and water jug as proof of his loyalty. Dejected, Saul retrieved his goods and returned home, while David stayed in the wilderness.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why would David join forces with outlaws and revolutionaries? Why did he send his parents away for safekeeping? Why did Saul order the death of the priests when they were necessary for proper worship? What did he think it meant for the priests to side with David against him?

2. Why did Saul neglect his duties to pursue David? What was the result of David’s rescue of Keilah from the Philistines? What does it mean that Jonathan “strengthened David in the Lord”?

3. What was wrong with David cutting off the corner of Saul’s robe? Why would David give an oath to protect Saul’s family? Why did David stay out in the wilderness, surrounded by outlaws?

4. Do you think David was justified in his fury at Nabal? Why was Nabal so insulting to the leader of a fugitive army? Was David righteous in marrying Abigail so soon after Nabal’s death? Did Abigail have a choice in the matter?

5. Why were the men of Ziph so treacherous toward David? When David was so opposed to harming Saul, why did his men so often urge death? When Saul had promised never to harm David, why did he continue to pursue him?