Saul & David: The Pursuit to Ein Gedi Creation to Kings | Episode 14
After David killed Goliath,
Israel was happy to be free from the terror of the Philistines,
but not everyone was pleased.
King Saul didn't appreciate the fact that the women in Israel sang,
'Saul has killed his thousands but David has killed his ten thousands.'
Envy and jealousy built up in him as he heard people singing
that a shepherd boy had killed ten times more soldiers than he had.
In spite of this, David was invited into the king's palace
to play the harp for the king.
But envy, jealousy, and bitterness would build up to a breaking point.
[music]
King Saul's son Jonathan and David were very close friends,
and on several occasions Jonathan interceded for David
and persuaded his father to make peace with him.
However, as the resentment and envy built up,
and as his father wouldn't humble himself,
it came to the point where David had to flee the palace and go on the run.
Initially he went to the town of Nob,
and there in the tabernacle he got the sword of Goliath.
However, the priest who helped him, Ahimelech, and the whole city
would eventually pay the ultimate price
as king Saul killed them all in a rage.
[music]
Leaving Nob, he went to [King] Achich,
but when they found that he was the one who had killed Goliath, he had to leave.
Fleeing to the cave of Adullam,
he found rest there for awhile until Saul pursued him.
Then he went to Keilah, then he went to Ziph,
pursued in each location by an angry king,
he remained on the run with his men.
Then he fled to the mountains of Ein Gedi where he found rest in a secluded cave.
Here David hid for a while, but somebody told Saul.
[music]
David was in a cave with his men
when King Saul entered the cave.
David's men urged him to kill the king,
saying that this was the providence of God.
David's conscience spoke to him, though, saying, 'Touch not the Lord's anointed.'
His men still encouraged him,
and so David cut off a portion of King Saul's robe.
He felt bad about this, though.
As King Saul was leaving the cave,
David called after him, saying his men had told him to kill him,
that he wouldn't, that he'd cut off a part of his robe,
but he felt bad about this and was sorry.
[music]
Saul's heart was touched,
and he realised that he was completely in the power
of the man whose life he was trying to take.
They made peace here in Engedi,
but based on Saul's past assurances,
David had little hope that his change of heart would remain,
and so he stayed here in Engedi in these mountains with his faithful men.
David was learning through all these experiences,
and each one would eventually help him when he rose to take the throne.
David made mistakes,
but God's hand was over him, preparing him to be king.
[music]
David would become the most famous king in Israel's history
and it was through his bloodline that the Messiah would come.
Here in Engedi he demonstrated a foresight, respect, and honour
not normally shown amongst men of war.
It was this respect for the position and person that God had anointed
that further set him apart to be a leader
and have such great responsibility later on.
May we have respect today in our lives for those that God has called to service,
and not destroy them with our critical actions and words.