David went from city to city with his men and each time Saul had been forewarned about it. David and his men were always scrambling to the next place to hide from Saul. David and his men were helped out with food and prayer by many priests, and from neighbors and friends who felt he was in the right as David's men went from place to place, for just as soon as they found good hiding, David would be found out. Each town where Saul appeared with his army, many were killed... but not David or Saul.
At one point, Saul and his army had followed David and his men where they were hiding in the hills. When David heard, he and his men went down to the desert. Saul followed, and was going along one side of the mountain while David was going along on the other side, hurrying to get away. When Saul and his forces were about to close in on David, a messenger came along side Saul saying, "Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land!" Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. And David went back up into the strongholds of the mountain with its caves and steep ravines off of the En Gedi.
Saul hurried back after the Philistine battle still consumed with the killing of David. Saul came to some sheep pens somewhere along the way. There was a cave there and Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. But, David and his men were far back in the cave, hiding. David crept up to Saul unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Then David felt a chill, being conscious stricken, and said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him, for he is the anointed of the Lord." With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and traveled on his way, unknowing.
Again David moved, and while once again in the desert, he heard of a man named Nabal who was shearing sheep. All this time, David and his men had to ask of the various farmers for food and water, and so it was that David needed the same from Nabal's kindness. So, David sent ten young men to Nabal to ask for help. But Nabal refused, "Who is this David? Why should I help him?" So David's men turned back. But one of Nabal's servants told Nabal's wife, Abigail, and Abigail put together many good things for David when she learned what David and his men had done for the farm's protection.
But David, not knowing of Abigail's help, put together a raiding party of four hundred and took off to take the farm in a raid. While he was approaching, Abigail started out on a trek to the mountain with a full load of goods from the farm, but not telling her husband, Nabal. As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her. Abigail got off of her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. Falling at his feet, she said, "May my lord pay no attention to the wicked man, Nabal. His name is Fool, and folly goes with him. But as for me, I am your servant, and did not see the men you, my master, sent. Let this gift, which your servant has brought, be given to the men who follow you. Please forgive your servant's offense, and let no wrongdoing be found in you. And when the Lord has brought my master success, remember your servant."
David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the Lord who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed, as the Lord has kept me from harming you. I have heard your words and granted your request." But, when Abigail went home to Nabal, he was drunk, holding a banquet for himself, so she told him nothing until the morning. His heart failed him in his anger, and he was dead within ten days. When David heard this, he sent word to the farm asking Abigail to become his wife. She quickly got on a donkey and, attended by five maids, went with David's messengers and became David's wife.
A sweet love story? Or a king attempting to take care of the innocent who suffer because of his life? I think, perhaps, both.
Study/ "No matter how right we think we are, we must always be careful to stop and listen to others. The extra time and effort can save us pain and trouble in the long run." (This would be a good one for me to memorize!)
Tomorrow? More of David (the Giant killer!)
Jo INMN
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