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This deed filled all Israel with horror。 It was the king whom they had
chosen that had committed this outrage； and he had only done after the
manner of the kings of other nations that feared not God。 The ark was with
them； but the priests of whom they had inquired were slain with the sword。
What would come next？
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Chapter 65
The Magnanimity of David
After Saul's atrocious slaughter of the priests of the Lord； 〃one of the
sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub； named Abiathar； escaped； and fled after
David。 And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests。 And
David said unto Abiathar； I knew it that day； when Doeg the Edomite was
there； that he would surely tell Saul： I have occasioned the death of all
the persons of thy father's house。 Abide thou with me； fear not： for he that
seeketh my life seeketh thy life： but with me thou shalt be in safeguard。〃
Still hunted by the king； David found no place of rest or security。 At
Keilah his brave band saved the town from capture by the Philistines； but
they were not safe； even among the people whom they had delivered。 From
Keilah they repaired to the wilderness of Ziph。
At this time； when there were so few bright spots in the path of David； he
was rejoiced to receive an unexpected visit from Jonathan； who had learned
the place of his refuge。 Precious were the moments which these two friends
passed in each other's society。 They related their varied experiences； and
Jonathan strengthened the heart of David； saying； 〃Fear not： for the hand of
Saul my father shall not find thee； and thou shalt be king over Israel； and
I shall be next unto thee； and that also Saul my father knoweth。〃 As they
talked of the wonderful dealings of God with David； the hunted fugitive was
greatly encouraged。 〃And they two made a covenant before the Lord： and David
abode in the wood； and Jonathan went to his house。〃
After the visit of Jonathan； David encouraged his soul with songs of praise；
accompanying his voice with his harp as he sang：
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〃In the Lord put I my trust：
How say ye to my soul；
Flee as a bird to your mountain？
For； lo； the wicked bend their bow；
They make ready their arrow upon the string；
That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart。
If the foundations be destroyed；
What can the righteous do？
The Lord is in His holy temple；
The Lord's throne is in heaven：
His eyes behold； His eyelids try； the children of men。
The Lord trieth the righteous：
But the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul
hateth。〃 Psalm 11：1…5。
The Ziphites； into whose wild regions David went from Keilah； sent word to
Saul in Gibeah that they knew where David was hiding； and that they would
guide the king to his retreat。 But David； warned of their intentions；
changed his position； seeking refuge in the mountains between Maon and the
Dead Sea。
Again word was sent to Saul； 〃Behold； David is in the wilderness of Engedi。
Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel； and went to seek
David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats。〃 David had only six
hundred men in his company； while Saul advanced against him with an army of
three thousand。 In a secluded cave the son of Jesse and his men waited for
the guidance of God as to what should be done。 As Saul was pressing his way
up the mountains； he turned aside； and entered； alone； the very cavern in
which David and his band were hidden。 When David's men saw this they urged
their leader to kill Saul。 The fact that the king was now in their power was
interpreted by them as certain evidence that God Himself had delivered the
enemy into their hand； that they might destroy him。 David was tempted to
take this view of the matter； but the voice of conscience spoke to him；
saying； 〃Touch not the anointed of the Lord。〃
David's men were still unwilling to leave Saul in peace； and they reminded
their commander of the words of God； 〃Behold； I will deliver thine enemy
into thine hand； that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee。
Then David arose； and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily。〃 But his
conscience smote him afterward； because he had even marred the garment of
the king。
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Saul rose up the went out of the cave to continue his search； when a voice
fell upon his startled ears； saying； 〃My lord the king。〃 He turned to see
who was addressing him； and lo！ it was the son of Jesse； the man whom he had
so long desired to have in his power that he might kill him。 David bowed
himself to the king； acknowledging him as his master。 Then he addressed Saul
in these words： 〃Wherefore hearest thou men's words； saying； Behold； David
seeketh thy hurt？ Behold； this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord
hath delivered thee today into mine hand in the cave： and some bade me kill
thee； but mine eye spared thee； and I said； I will not put forth mine hand
against my lord； for he is the Lord's anointed。 Moreover； my father； see；
yea； see the skirt of thy robe in my hand： for in that I cut off the skirt
of thy robe； and killed thee not； know thou and see that there is neither
evil nor transgression in mine hand； and I have not sinned against thee； yet
thou huntest my soul to take it。〃
When Saul heard the words of David he was humbled； and could not but admit
their truthfulness。 His feelings were deeply moved as he realized how
completely he had been in the power of the man whose life he sought。 David
stood before him in conscious innocence。 With a softened spirit； Saul
exclaimed； 〃Is this thy voice； my son David？ And Saul lifted up his voice；
and wept。〃 Then he declared to David： 〃Thou art more righteous than I： for
thou hast rewarded me good； whereas I have rewarded thee evil。 。 。 。For if a
man find his enemy； will he let him go well away？ wherefore the Lord reward
thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day。 And now； behold； I know
well that thou shalt surely be king； and that the kingdom of Israel shall be
established in thine hand。〃 And David made a covenant with Saul that when
this should take place he would favorably regard the house of Saul； and not
cut off his name。
Knowing what he did of Saul's past course； David could put no confidence in
the assurances of the king； nor hope that his penitent condition would long
continue。 So when Saul returned to his home David remained in the
strongholds of the mountains。
The enmity that is cherished toward the servants of God by those who have
yielded to the power of Satan changes at times to a feeling of
reconciliation and favor； but the change does not always prove to be
lasting。 After evil…minded men have engaged in doing and saying wicked
things against the Lord's servants；
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the conviction that they have been in the wrong sometimes takes deep hold
upon their minds。 The Spirit of the L