Study Desk

So David and his men—about 600 of them now—left Keilah and began roaming the countryside. Word soon reached Saul that David had escaped, so he didn't go to Keilah after all.

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.

Discover his hiding places, and come back when you are sure. Then I'll go with you. And if he is in the area at all, I'll track him down, even if I have to search every hiding place in Judah!"

So the men of Ziph returned home ahead of Saul. Meanwhile, David and his men had moved into the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah Valley south of Jeshimon.

When David heard that Saul and his men were searching for him, he went even farther into the wilderness to the great rock, and he remained there in the wilderness of Maon. But Saul kept after him in the wilderness.

Saul and David were now on opposite sides of a mountain. Just as Saul and his men began to close in on David and his men,

So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.

At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very cave!

He said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn't attack the Lord 's anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him."

So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. After Saul had left the cave and gone on his way,

Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea?

Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.

So David promised this to Saul with an oath. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went back to their stronghold.

Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah. Then David moved down to the wilderness of Maon.

This man's name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.

When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep,

he sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal:

"Get your swords!" was David's reply as he strapped on his own. Then 400 men started off with David, and 200 remained behind to guard their equipment.

You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He's so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!"

As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming toward her.