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Hidden by the deep shadows of the hills； David and his attendant entered the
encampment of the enemy。 As they sought to ascertain the exact number of
their foes； they came upon Saul sleeping； his spear stuck in the ground； and
a cruse of water at his head。 Beside him lay Abner； his chief commander； and
all around them were the soldiers； locked in slumber。 Abishai raised his
spear； and said to David； 〃God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand
this day： now therefore let me smite
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him； I pray thee； with the spear even to the earth at once； and I will not
smite him the second time。〃 He waited for the word of permission； but there
fell upon his ear the whispered words： 〃Destroy him not： for who can stretch
forth his hand against the Lord's anointed； and be guiltless？ 。 。 。 As the
Lord liveth； the Lord shall smite him； or his day shall come to die； or he
shall descend into battle； and perish。 The Lord forbid that I should stretch
forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed： but； I pray thee； take thou now
the spear that is at his bolster； and the cruse of water； and let us go。 So
David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster； and they
gat them away； and no man saw it； nor knew it； neither awaked： for they were
all asleep； because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them。〃 How
easily the Lord can weaken the strongest； remove prudence from the wisest；
and baffle the skill of the most watchful！
When David was at a safe distance from the camp he stood on the top of a
hill and cried with a loud voice to the people and to Abner； saying； 〃Art
not thou a valiant man？ and who is like to thee in Israel？ wherefore then
hast thou not kept thy lord the king？ for there came one of the people in to
destroy the king thy lord。 This thing is not good that thou hast done。 As
the Lord liveth； ye are worthy to die； because ye have not kept your master
the Lord's anointed。 And now see where the king's spear is； and the cruse of
water that was at his bolster。 And Saul knew David's voice； and said； Is
this thy voice； my son David？ And David said； It is my voice； my lord； O
king。 And he said； Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant？ for
what have I done？ or what evil is in mine hand？ Now therefore； I pray thee；
let my lord the king hear the words of his servant。〃 Again the
acknowledgment fell from the lips of the king； 〃I have sinned： return； my
son David； for I will no more do thee harm； because my soul was precious in
thine eyes this day： behold； I have played the fool； and have erred
exceedingly。 And David answered and said； Behold the king's spear！ and let
one of the young men come over and fetch it。〃 Although Saul had made the
promise； 〃I will no more do thee harm；〃 David did not place himself in his
power。
The second instance of David's respect for his sovereign's life made a still
deeper impression upon the mind of Saul and brought from him a more humble
acknowledgment of his fault。
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He was astonished and subdued at the manifestation of such kindness。 In
parting from David； Saul exclaimed； 〃Blessed be thou； my son David： thou
shalt both do great things； and also shalt still prevail。〃 But the son of
Jesse had no hope that the king would long continue in this frame of mind。
David despaired of a reconciliation with Saul。 It seemed inevitable that he
should at last fall a victim to the malice of the king； and he determined
again to seek refuge in the land of the Philistines。 With the six hundred
men under his command； he passed over to Achish； the king of Gath。
David's conclusion that Saul would certainly accomplish his murderous
purpose was formed without the counsel of God。 Even while Saul was plotting
and seeking to accomplish his destruction； the Lord was working to secure
David the kingdom。 God works out His plans； though to human eyes they are
veiled in mystery。 Men cannot understand the ways of God； and； looking at
appearances； they interpret the trials and tests and provings that God
permits to come upon them as things that are against them； and that will
only work their ruin。 Thus David looked on appearances； and not at the
promises of God。 He doubted that he would ever come to the throne。 Long
trials had wearied his faith and exhausted his patience。
The Lord did not send David for protection to the Philistines； the most
bitter foes of Israel。 This very nation would be among his worst enemies to
the last； and yet he had fled to them for help in his time of need。 Having
lost all confidence in Saul and in those who served him； he threw himself
upon the mercies of the enemies of his people。 David was a brave general；
and had proved himself a wise and successful warrior； but he was working
directly against his own interests when he went to the Philistines。 God had
appointed him to set up his standard in the land of Judah； and it was want
of faith that led him to forsake his post of duty without a command from the
Lord。
God was dishonored by David's unbelief。 The Philistines had feared David
more than they had feared Saul and his armies； and by placing himself under
the protection of the Philistines； David discovered to them the weakness of
his own people。 Thus he encouraged these relentless foes to oppress Israel。
David had been anointed to stand in defense of the people of God； and the
Lord would not have His servants give encouragement to
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the wicked by disclosing the weakness of His people or by an appearance of
indifference to their welfare。 Furthermore； the impression was received by
his brethren that he had gone to the heathen to serve their gods。 By this
act he gave occasion for misconstruing his motives； and many were led to
hold prejudice against him。 The very thing that Satan desired to have him do
he was led to do； for； in seeking refuge among the Philistines； David caused
great exultation to the enemies of God and His people。 David did not
renounce his worship of God nor cease his devotion to His cause； but he
sacrificed his trust in Him to his personal safety； and thus tarnished the
upright and faithful character that God requires His servants to possess。
David was cordially received by the king of the Philistines。 The warmth of
this reception was partly due to the fact that the king admired him and
partly to the fact that it was flattering to his vanity to have a Hebrew
seek his protection。 David felt secure from betrayal in the dominions of
Achish。 He brought his family； his household； and his possessions； as did
also his men； and to all appearance he had come to settle permanently in the
land of Philistia。 All this was gratifying to Achish； who promised to
protect the fugitive Israelites。
At David's request for a residence in the country； removed from the royal
city； the king graciously granted Ziklag as a possession。 David realized
that it would be dangerous for himself and his men to be under the influence
of idolaters。 In a town wholly separated for their use they might worship
God with more freedom than they could i