The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-02-04
David Further Proves His
Loyalty To Saul

Loyalty To Saul
The Ziphites were responsible for
arousing Saul's interest in the further
pursuit of David. Had they kept out of
the matter, he might have drifted along
until the end of his unhappy reign
without adding another blot to his ban
ner of knighthood by his unprovoked
prosecutions of the son of Jesse. But
the Ziphites came to Saul in Gibeah
and told him that David was hiding in
the hill of Hachilah, which is before
Jeshimon.
Again the king leads out 5000
trained warriors in a fruitless attempt
to capture six hundred motleys, who
were familiar with every trail and
every cave in the entire region. David's
spies were always aware of every
movement by Saul. So it befell when
the camp was pitched for the night,
that Saul and his captain, Abner, son
of Ner, lay down in the center of the
camp, that soldiers being disposed in
a circular arrangement as a protec-
ton to the king and their commander
Abner. One important fact was omit
ted by Abner. He failed to post senti-
nels. Perhaps it was because David
and his rabble were despised because
they were comparatively few. How
soon was Gideon's feat, with his three
hundred chosen men, forgotten.
When David observed that none
watched, he said to Abimelech and
Abishai, "Who will go with me to
Saul?" Abishai answered, II will CO."
So David and Abishai came to Saul's
camp by night, and found Saul sleep
ing within the intrenchments hastily
constructed. His spear stuck in the
ground near his pillow, and a vessel
of drinking water within reach should
he grow thirsty in his sleep, were
deity removed by David, and carried
out of the camp. Abishai pleaded for
the privilege of shifting Saul to the
earth with his own spear, but this
David steadfastly refused, the person
of the Lords anointed being sacred
to him.
With these trophies, Sauls spear
and water cruise, the two slipped away
and no man saw it, neither awaked;
for they were all asleep; a deep sleep
from the Lord having fallen upon
them.
When they had travelled safe dis
lance from the camp, David cried to
the people and to Abner, and chided
him for his carelessness of his mas
ters life. Said David: cart not thou
a valiant man? and who is like thee in
Israel? wherefore then hast thou not
kept the lord the king? for there came
one of the people in to destroy the
king thy lord. This thing is not good
that thous hast done. AS the Lord liv-
eth thou are worthy to die because We
have not kept your master, the Lords
anointed. And now see where the
kings spear is, and the cruise of water
that was at his bolster"
Saul knew David's voice, and once
more was shamed by the nobility of
this young man who had just given
the surest proof of his fidelity. Twice
now had Saul's life been in David's
hand; and twice had he refused to
take vengeance for which there was
surely justification in the light of
SauPs relentless pursuit of him and
his followers.
Then Saul said: az have sinned:
return, my son David; for l 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. Blessed be
thou, my son David; thou shalt both
do great things, and shalt still pre-
vail" So David went on his way, and
Saul returned to his place.
Bible Societies And Their Work