David is still the rejected one, object of the malignity of the then ruler who, but for God's forbearance, should have been displaced, and the throne of Israel given at once to the one chosen of God to occupy it. In this, and in David's general behavior, we are reminded of Him of whom he was a type,-Jesus, the God Man, whose every way and word were perfect.
We may notice too, that there were few who companied with David, who shared his rejection; and Saul seems to have had no lack of men to do his bidding. So was it in the history of our Lord as a man here below; then were the thoughts of many hearts revealed (Luke 2:3535(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:35)), as singly and in groups they come before us in the gospel narrative.
David was in the wilderness of En-gedi; the news came to King Saul, and he took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and set out to kill him. He who was David's Son and David's Lord had to say when the hour of Satan's seeming triumph was reached, "Are ye come out as against a thief, with swords and staves for to take Me?" Matt. 26:5555In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. (Matthew 26:55). David had done nothing against the king, and left his future with God.
Among the sheepfolds of En-gedi, not far from the Dead Sea and, about midway of its length, was a cave, and, not in the least suspecting that David and his followers were there, Saul entered. The exile's men whispered to him that now was the opportunity to lay hands on the man who stood between him and the throne for which he had been anointed. But they were far from quoting the word of God correctly, as David well knew. He would not harm the unworthy man who sought his life, but stole up behind him and cut off the skirt or wing of his outer garment. For this his conscience smote him presently (verse 6), and when Saul went out of the cave, David followed at a distance and called to him.
Saul was evidently astonished that David had not used the opportunity to do to him what he had so long tried to do to David. Such ways were beyond his understanding (the child of God is never understood by the world, when he acts according to the Word of God), and he confessed to David that he knew that he should surely be king after him. Fearing- that, though David assured him that he would not take his life, he might revenge himself because; of Saul's past on his children, he asked David to promise to not do so. David promised, and Saul and lie parted to meet but once again (chapter 26). The break between the
two was complete and final. But where was Jonathan?