He said to him, Don't be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; and that also Saul my father knows.
      III. God defending him, as his powerful protector. God delivered him not into Saul's hand, as Saul hoped (1 Samuel 23:7; 1 Samuel 23:7); and, unless God delivered him into his hand, he could not prevail against him, John 19:11.