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interposition of God； and without injury fled from the rage of the maddened
king。
As Saul's hatred of David increased； he became more and more watchful to
find an opportunity to take his life； but none of his plans against the
anointed of the Lord were successful。 Saul gave himself up to the control of
the wicked spirit that ruled over him； while David trusted in Him who is
mighty in counsel； and strong to deliver。 〃The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom〃 （Proverbs 9：10）； and David's prayer was continually
directed to God； that he might walk before Him in a perfect way。
Desiring to be freed from the presence of his rival； the king 〃removed him
from him； and made him his captain over a thousand。 。 。 。 But all Israel and
Judah loved David。〃 The people were not slow to see that David was a
competent person； and that the affairs entrusted to his hands were managed
with wisdom and skill。 The counsels of the young man were of a wise and
discreet character； and proved to be safe to follow； while the judgment of
Saul was at times unreliable； and his decisions were not wise。
Though Saul was ever on the alert for an opportunity to destroy David； he
stood in fear of him； since it was evident that the Lord was with him。
David's blameless character aroused the wrath of the king； he deemed that
the very life and presence of David cast a reproach upon him； since by
contrast it presented his own character to disadvantage。 It was envy that
made Saul miserable and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy。
What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world！
The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the heart of Cain
against his brother Abel； because Abel's works were righteous； and God
honored him； and his own works were evil； and the Lord could not bless him。
Envy is the offspring of pride； and if it is entertained in the heart； it
will lead to hatred； and eventually to revenge and murder。 Satan displayed
his own character in exciting the fury of Saul against him who had never
done him harm。
The king kept a strict watch upon David； hoping to find some occasion of
indiscretion or rashness that might serve as an excuse to bring him into
disgrace。 He felt that he could not be satisfied
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until he could take the young man's life and still be justified before the
nation for his evil act。 He laid a snare for the feet of David； urging him
to conduct the war against the Philistines with still greater vigor； and
promising； as a reward of his valor； an alliance with the eldest daughter of
the royal house。 To this proposal David's modest answer was； 〃Who am I？ and
what is my life； or my father's family in Israel； that I should be
son…in…law to the king？〃 The monarch manifested his insincerity by wedding
the princess to another。
An attachment for David on the part of Michal； Saul's youngest daughter；
afforded the king another opportunity to plot against his rival。 Michal's
hand was offered the young man on condition that evidence should be given of
the defeat and slaughter of a specified number of their national foes。 〃Saul
thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines；〃 but God shielded
His servant。 David returned a victor from the battle； to become the king's
son…in…law。 〃Michal Saul's daughter loved him；〃 and the monarch； enraged；
saw that his plots had resulted in the elevation of him whom he sought to
destroy。 He was still more assured that this was the man whom the Lord had
said was better than he； and who should reign on the throne of Israel in his
place。 Throwing off all disguise； he issued a command to Jonathan and to the
officers of the court to take the life of the one he hated。
Jonathan revealed the king's intention to David and bade him conceal himself
while he would plead with his father to spare the life of the deliverer of
Israel。 He presented before the king what David had done to preserve the
honor and even the life of the nation； and what terrible guilt would rest
upon the murderer of the one whom God had used to scatter their enemies。 The
conscience of the king was touched； and his heart was softened。 〃And Saul
sware； As the Lord liveth； he shall not be slain。〃 David was brought to
Saul； and he ministered in his presence； as he had done in the past。
Again war was declared between the Israelites and the Philistines； and David
led the army against their enemies。 A great victory was gained by the
Hebrews； and the people of the realm praised his wisdom and heroism。 This
served to stir up the former bitterness of Saul against him。 While the young
man was playing before the king； filling the palace with sweet harmony。
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Saul's passion overcame him； and he hurled a javelin at David； thinking to
pin the musician to the wall； but the angel of the Lord turned aside the
deadly weapon。 David escaped and fled to his own house。 Saul sent spies that
they might take him as he should come out in the morning； and put an end to
his life。
Michal informed David of the purpose of her father。 She urged him to flee
for his life； and let him down from the window； thus enabling him to make
his escape。 He fled to Samuel at Ramah； and the prophet； fearless of the
king's displeasure； welcomed the fugitive。 The home of Samuel was a peaceful
place in contrast with the royal palace。 It was here； amid the hills； that
the honored servant of the Lord continued his work。 A company of seers was
with him； and they studied closely the will of God and listened reverently
to the words of instruction that fell from the lips of Samuel。 Precious were
the lessons that David learned from the teacher of Israel。 David believed
that the troops of Saul would not be ordered to invade this sacred place；
but no place seemed to be sacred to the darkened mind of the desperate king。
David's connection with Samuel aroused the jealousy of the king； lest he who
was revered as a prophet of God throughout all Israel should lend his
influence to the advancement of Saul's rival。 When the king learned where
David was； he sent officers to bring him to Gibeah； where he intended to
carry out his murderous design。
The messengers went on their way； intent upon taking David's life； but One
greater than Saul controlled them。 They were met by unseen angels； as was
Balaam when he was on his way to curse Israel。 They began to utter prophetic
sayings of what would occur in the future； and proclaimed the glory and
majesty of Jehovah。 Thus God overruled the wrath of man and manifested His
power to restrain evil； while He walled in His servant by a guard of angels。
The tidings reached Saul as he eagerly waited to have David in his power；
but instead of feeling the rebuke of God； he was still more exasperated； and
sent other messengers。 These also were overpowered by the Spirit of God； and
united with the first in prophesying。 The third embassage was sent by the
king； but when they came into the company of the prophets； the divine
influence fell upon them also； and they prophesied。 Saul then decided that
he himself would go； for his fierce enmity had