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influence fell upon them also； and they prophesied。 Saul then decided that
he himself would go； for his fierce enmity had
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become uncontrollable。 He was determined to wait for no further chance to
kill David； as soon as he should come within reach of him； he intended with
his own hand to slay him； whatever might be the consequences。
But an angel of God met him on the way and controlled him。 The Spirit of God
held him in Its power； and he went forward uttering prayers to God；
interspersed with predictions and sacred melodies。 He prophesied of the
coming Messiah as the world's Redeemer。 When he came to the prophet's home
in Ramah； he laid aside the outer garments that betokened his rank； and all
day and all night he lay before Samuel and his pupils； under the influence
of the divine Spirit。 The people were drawn together to witness this strange
scene； and the experience of the king was reported far and wide。 Thus again；
near the close of his reign； it became a proverb in Israel that Saul also
was among the prophets。
Again the persecutor was defeated in his purpose。 He assured David that he
was at peace with him； but David had little confidence in the king's
repentance。 He took this opportunity to escape； lest the mood of the king
should change； as formerly。 His heart was wounded within him； and he longed
to see his friend Jonathan once more。 Conscious of his innocence； he sought
the king's son and made a most touching appeal。 〃What have I done？〃 he
asked； 〃what is mine iniquity？ and what is my sin before thy father； that he
seeketh my life？〃 Jonathan believed that his father had changed his purpose
and no longer intended to take the life of David。 And Jonathan said unto
him； 〃God forbid； thou shalt not die： behold； my father will do nothing
either great or small； but that he will show it me： and why should my father
hide this thing from me？ It is not so。〃 After the remarkable exhibition of
the power of God； Jonathan could not believe that his father would still
harm David； since this would be manifest rebellion against God。 But David
was not convinced。 With intense earnestness he declared to Jonathan； 〃As the
Lord liveth； and as thy soul liveth； there is but a step between me and
death。〃
At the time of the new moon a sacred festival was celebrated in Israel。 This
festival recurred upon the day following the interview between David and
Jonathan。 At this feast it was expected that both the young men would appear
at the king's table； but David feared to be present； and it was arranged
that
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he should visit his brothers in Bethlehem。 On his return he was to hide
himself in a field not far from the banqueting hall； for three days
absenting himself from the presence of the king； and Jonathan would note the
effect upon Saul。 If inquiry should be made as to the whereabouts of the son
of Jesse； Jonathan was to say that he had gone home to attend the sacrifice
offered by his father's household。 If no angry demonstrations were made by
the king； but he should answer； 〃It is well；〃 then it would be safe for
David to return to the court。 But if he should become enraged at his
absence； it would decide the matter of David's flight。
On the first day of the feast the king made no inquiry concerning the
absence of David； but when his place was vacant the second day； he
questioned； 〃Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat； neither
yesterday nor today？ And Jonathan answered Saul； David earnestly asked leave
of me to go to Bethlehem： and he said； Let me go； I pray thee； for our
family hath a sacrifice in the city； and my brother； he hath commanded me to
be there： and now； if I have found favor in thine eyes； let me get away； I
pray thee； and see my brethren。 Therefore he cometh not unto the king's
table。〃 When Saul heard these words； his anger was ungovernable。 He declared
that as long as David lived； Jonathan could not come to the throne of
Israel； and he demanded that David should be sent for immediately； that he
might be put to death。 Jonathan again made intercession for his friend；
pleading； 〃Wherefore shall he be slain？ what hath he done？〃 This appeal to
the king only made him more satanic in his fury； and the spear which he had
intended for David he now hurled at his own son。
The prince was grieved and indignant； and leaving the royal presence； he was
no more a guest at the feast。 His soul was bowed down with sorrow as he
repaired at the appointed time to the spot where David was to learn the
king's intentions toward him。 Each fell upon the other's neck； and they wept
bitterly。 The dark passion of the king cast its shadow upon the life of the
young men； and their grief was too intense for expression。 Jonathan's last
words fell upon the ear of David as they separated to pursue their different
paths； 〃Go in peace； forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of
the Lord； saying； The Lord be between me and thee； and between my seed and
thy seed forever。〃
The king's son returned to Gibeah； and David hastened to
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reach Nob； a city but a few miles distant； and also belonging to the tribe
of Benjamin。 The tabernacle had been taken to this place from Shiloh； and
here Ahimelech the high priest ministered。 David knew not whither to flee
for refuge； except to the servant of God。 The priest looked upon him with
astonishment； as he came in haste and apparently alone； with a countenance
marked by anxiety and sorrow。 He inquired what had brought him there。 The
young man was in constant fear of discovery； and in his extremity he
resorted to deception。 David told the priest that he had been sent by the
king on a secret errand； one which required the utmost expedition。 Here he
manifested a want of faith in God； and his sin resulted in causing the death
of the high priest。 Had the facts been plainly stated； Ahimelech would have
known what course to pursue to preserve his life。 God requires that
truthfulness shall mark His people； even in the greatest peril。 David asked
the priest for five loaves of bread。 There was nothing but hallowed bread in
the possession of the man of God； but David succeeded in removing his
scruples； and obtained the bread to satisfy his hunger。
A new danger now presented itself。 Doeg； the chief of Saul's herdsmen； who
had professed the faith of the Hebrews； was now paying his vows in the place
of worship。 At sight of this man David determined to make haste to secure
another place of refuge； and to obtain some weapon with which to defend
himself if defense should become necessary。 He asked Ahimelech for a sword；
and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath； which had been
kept as a relic in the tabernacle。 David replied； 〃There is none like that；
give it me。〃 His courage revived as he grasped the sword that he had once
used in destroying the champion of the Philistines。
David fled to Achish； the king of Gath； for he felt that there was more
safety in the midst of the enemies of his people than in the dominions of
Saul。 But it was reported to Achish that David was the man who had slain the
Philistine champion years