It seems to have been after this, according to the original history of A, that David removed to the desert tract west of the Dead Sea, and made his abode in ICngedi, whither he was followed by Saul, after the retreat of the Philistines. We are told that on one occasion Saul entered a large cave for a necessary purpose, at a time when D. and his men were hidden in the reces.ses of the cave. Though urged by his followers to slay his pursuer, I), refused to harm the ' Anointed of J",' and con- tented himself with cutting off a corner of the long robe which lay spread out before and behind the owner. D. followed Saul as he left the cave, and, holding out the portion of his njlje, showed the king how he had been at the mercy of the man whom he was so relentlessly pursuing ; and he begged him no longer to listen to those who charged D. with conspiring against him. Saul Wiis touched at this generosity ; and in language which clearly reflects the thoughts of a historian of a later time, he is ma<le to openly acknowledge his rival's superiority, and to recognize him as the future king of Israel (1 S 24). The other version of this story (cli. 2(i), which, though coming from a later document, has preserved many original features lost in ch. 24, places D. in the hill of Ilachilah, and attributes his pursuit hither by Saul to the information of the Ziphites. One night Saul encamped in a deep valley surrounded by slcu]) cliffs; but the place being discovered by D.'s spies, D., accompanied by Abishai, descended from the hills, and entereil unob.served into the laager where Saul lay slee|iing. Kefusing to allow Abishai to smite a sleeping enemy, he b.ade him carry away Saul's spear and water-cruse ; and when they had again climbed the hill above the camp, D. shouted aloud, and thus aroused first
Abuer, whom he blamed severely for his careless watch, and then Said himself. To Saul, who recognized his voice, D. made a passionate appeal : 'Why did the king continually pursue him ? if ,)" had stirred him up to do so, might he be propitiated with an offering : or were men seeking to drive I). out of J"'s laud ? ' The king confessed that he had sinned, and promised to do 1). no more harm, and the two parted their several ways.
Whatever be the exact details of this meeting, it is clear that 1). felt himself no longer safe in Judah, and as a last resort he passed over to the national enemy, and took refuge with liis family and his followers at the court of Achish, son of Maoch, king of Gath. A tried warrior at the head of tiOO men, he was readily welcomed ; but, not liking to dwell in the cajiital, he asked for a .settlement of his own, and received the southern town of Ziklag, where he established himself as the vassal of his protector. It wa.s now necessary for IJavid to devise some means of ensuring the confidence of his master without injuring or estranging his own people. Accordingly, he made asucce.ssion of raids upon the Amalekites, Girzites, and other desert tribes living between Egypt and the south of Palestine. By putting to death all who fell into his Iiands, D. was able to represent to Achish that his frays were directed against Judah, and against the allied tribes of the Kenites and Jerahnieelitts (1 S 27). He had been living at Ziklag some Ki months (v.'), when the Philistines prepared for a decisive struggle against Israel. Achish called upon his vassal to accompany him to the war, and D. with professions of fidelity responded to the call. He had now placed him.self in a false and dangerous position. Even if he were willing to aid the Philistines against his fellow-countrymen, success ill the war would liave effectually prevented him from becoming the accepted leader of Israel. Fortunately, the other Phil, leaders were less ready than Acliish to trust him. When D. and his troops appeared in the rearguard with Achish at Aphek, as the Philistine hosts were mustering, the princes protested against the presence of the famed Lsraelitish leader, and urged that treachery to them in battle would be the surest way to a reconciliation with the king of Isi-ael. Achish was therefore reluctantly compelled to bid D. dejiart, and next morning he turned homewards with his men (clis. 28'f- 2i»). Two days later they reached Ziklag, to find that a sudden raid of the Amalekites had laid the town in ruins and carried the inhabitants cap- tive. D. was the first to recover his composure, and, encouraged by an answer from J" given through the epiiod of Abiathar, he started to pur- sue the foe. At the brook He.sor, probably the W'aibj h'sheria south of Gaza, 2(10 of his men were compelled to remain, overcome by fatigue. The pursuit, however, wa.s continued, and .an Kgyp. slave, who was found half di'ad in the way, offered in return for a promise of life and liberty to guide D. to the enemy's encampment. The Amalekites were surprised at dusk while feasting, and few of the men escaped. All the captives were recovereil, and a large booty was taken. On the return to the brook Hesor, a (lispute arose as to the right of the men who liad been left there to share in the spoil. D., however, decided in their favour, and thus established the |)rinciple that those who fought and those who guarded the baggage should share alike. Of the rich spoil 1). had a further u.se to make, for he sent costly presents to the elders of Hebron and other towns in the south of Jii<lali, where he had been accustomed to find shelter during his earlier outlaw life (ch. .SO). In this way he .secured friends whose assistance was soon to be of the highest imiiortance to him. It would seem, indeed, that these presents were sent after the