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1. I shall now perish. David failed to realize that in spite of Saul’s conniving, God was silently working out His will. He interpreted recent happenings as evidence of the hopelessness of reconciliation and of the gradual success of Saul’s plan to ruin and destroy him. In the past David had enjoyed the guidance of Gad and Abiathar—of the Urim and Thummim—but now in discouragement he turned from divine help and laid plans on his own responsibility. Nevertheless, God graciously turned David’s mistakes into steppingstones toward ultimate success!

Nothing better. In spite of all David had done for his own countrymen, they manifested but little sympathy for him now that he was in disfavor with the king. The men of Keilah would have turned him over to Saul (see ch. 23:1-13). The Ziphites twice informed Saul of his hiding place (chs. 23:19; 26:1), and Nabal proved as unfriendly as Doeg had been (ch. 25:10, 11). Twice he had extended the hand of mercy to the jealously insane tyrant who openly sought his life (chs. 24:6-11; 26:8-12). From the very people who should have shown him every courtesy he had received only censure and ingratitude, and his life among them had been one continuous nightmare. Living on short rations in caves and forests, in deserts and on mountain crags, he had been treated as an outlaw.

Not long before these incidents (ch. 22:5), God had directed David to return from Moab to Judah. There was much to be done for his own countrymen, and David responded gladly. He may have concluded that his call to return to Judah arose from the need of protecting its people against raids by neighboring nations. But it was probably God’s purpose to demonstrate before all Israel the fortitude, humility, and courage of the one chosen to be king—a faith that waited patiently for God to work out His will in His own good time.

Time and again the Lord wrought for David, and the common people must have begun to think of him as having a charmed life. But after each marvelous deliverance there came another severe test, and David eventually began to feel the futility of seemingly endless danger and uncertainty. To provide for the hundreds of men who now followed him, and to hold them together, would tax the energies of the ablest of men. True, Abigail and Jonathan had encouraged David, but the majority were against him. His faith grew weak.

Downhearted, he finally sought refuge among the enemies of the Lord. In such a course, it seemed to him, lay his only safety. Contrary to the will of God, David now set foot on a thorny road of duplicity and intrigue. Sacrificing confidence in God for his own idea of safety, David tarnished the faith God would have all His servants exhibit before men and angels. How different might have been the history of Israel had David sought and followed the counsel of the Lord as earnestly before leaving Judah as he had previously done upon leaving Moab (see ch. 22:5).