Outlaw (2 of 2)

In context

Samuel died, and all Israel mourned him (1 Samuel 25:1). At Carmel, a town in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:55), a rich sheep owner named Nabal, a name the WEB notes means “foolish,” refused food to David’s men, though they had protected his shepherds (25:2–16). David set out to kill every male of his household, but Nabal’s wife Abigail met him with gifts and turned him back. About ten days later the Lord struck Nabal and he died, and Abigail became David’s wife (25:13–42).

Again David spared Saul, taking only the spear and the water jar from beside his head while he slept (26:7–12). Then, sure Saul would one day kill him, David went over to Achish king of Gath, who gave him Ziklag, and he lived among the Philistines a year and four months (27:1–7). His raids from there left no one alive, a hard passage told plainly (27:8–11).

Today’s psalms belong to David’s years on the run, and their headings name the moments: Gath (Psalm 56, and Psalm 34, which calls the king Abimelech), Doeg’s report to Saul (Psalm 52), the Ziphites (Psalm 54), and the cave (Psalms 57 and 142).