David's Life As A Fugitive

The Spirit of God now rests on David since he has now been anointed the next king of Israel.

Saul knows he has been rejected by God as the continuing king of Israel because of his disobedience. He knows David has been chosen as his replacement by God, and yet in his perverted thinking he repeatedly tries to frustrate God's plan and kill David. David spends as many as 10 years, avoiding Saul's threats on his life. This time of great difficutly as a fugitive and vagabond will prove to be productive under the mighty hand of God who is, all the while, preparing him to be king. During this time David writes some of our most beloved Psalms including 34, 52, 54, 57, and 142.

Saul's behavior makes that of his son Jonathan all the more remarkable as he consistently demonstrates a humble, godly character respecting David as the man whom God will have to be king.