patriarchs and prophets-第172章
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would be safer with him； even though he was a fugitive in a lonely cave；
than they could be while exposed to the insane madness of a jealous king。
In the cave of Adullam the family were united in sympathy and affection。 The
son of Jesse could make melody with voice and harp as he sang； 〃Behold； how
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity！〃 Psalm
133：1。 He had tasted the bitterness of distrust on the part of his own
brothers； and the harmony that had taken the place of discord brought joy to
the exile's heart。 It was here that David composed the fifty…seventh psalm。
It was not long before David's company was joined by others who desired to
escape the exactions of the king。 There were many who had lost confidence in
the ruler of Israel； for they could see that he was no longer guided by the
Spirit of the Lord。 〃And everyone that was in distress； and everyone that
was in debt； and everyone that was discontented；〃 resorted to David； 〃and he
became a captain over them： and there were with him about four hundred men。〃
Here David had a little kingdom of his own； and in it order and discipline
prevailed。 But even in his retreat in the mountains he was far from feeling
secure； for he received continual evidence that the king had not
relinquished his murderous purpose。
He found a refuge for his parents with the king of Moab； and then； at a
warning of danger from a prophet of the Lord； he fled from his hiding place
to the forest of Hareth。 The experience through which David was passing was
not unnecessary or fruitless。 God was giving him a course of discipline to
fit him to become a wise general as well as a just and merciful king。 With
his band of fugitives he was gaining a preparation to take up the work that
Saul； because of his murderous passion and blind indiscretion； was becoming
wholly unfitted to do。 Men cannot depart from the counsel of God and still
retain that calmness and wisdom which will enable them to act with justice
and discretion。 There is no insanity so dreadful； so hopeless； as that of
following human wisdom； unguided by the wisdom of God。
Saul had been preparing to ensnare and capture David in the cave of Adullam；
and when it was discovered that David had left this place of refuge； the
king was greatly enraged。 The flight of
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David was a mystery to Saul。 He could account for it only by the belief that
there had been traitors in his camp； who had informed the son of Jesse of
his proximity and design。
He affirmed to his counselors that a conspiracy had been formed against him；
and with the offer of rich gifts and positions of honor he bribed them to
reveal who among his people had befriended David。 Doeg the Edomite turned
informer。 Moved by ambition and avarice； and by hatred of the priest； who
had reproved his sins； Doeg reported David's visit to Ahimelech；
representing the matter in such a light as to kindle Saul's anger against
the man of God。 The words of that mischievous tongue； set on fire of hell；
stirred up the worst passions in Saul's heart。 Maddened with rage； he
declared that the whole family of the priest should perish。 And the terrible
decree was executed。 Not only Ahimelech； but the members of his father's
house〃four…score and five persons that did wear a linen ephod〃were slain
at the king's command； by the murderous hand of Doeg。
〃And Nob； the city of the priests； smote he with the edge of the sword； both
men and women； children and sucklings； and oxen； and asses； and sheep。〃 This
is what Saul could do under the control of Satan。 When God had said that the
iniquity of the Amalekites was full； and had commanded him to destroy them
utterly； he thought himself too compassionate to execute the divine
sentence； and he spared that which was devoted to destruction； but now；
without a command from God； under the guidance of Satan； he could slay the
priests of the Lord and bring ruin upon the inhabitants of Nob。 Such is the
perversity of the human heart that has refused the guidance of God。
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
