David as a political fugitive

David's life as a political fugitive (1 Samuel 21–31)

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   David flees; Saul has Yahweh's priest Ahimelech and family killed21:1–22:23David seeks help and inquires of Yahweh from Yahweh's high priest (cf. 22:15); Yahweh's priest gives hungry David bread from Yahweh's own table; David is given Goliath's sword, which he had used to decapitate the Philistine; Israelites begin to gather and join David; David is dismissed from the presence of King Achish of Gath
2. b
   David saves the Judean town of Keilah from Philistines23:1–18
3. c
   Ziphites betray David; David spares Saul's life23:19–24:22begins: "the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is not David hiding . . . on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon?'"; David refrains from killing unsuspecting Saul; takes a token; "Saul recognized David's voice and said, 'Is that your voice, David my son?'" (24:16 [24:17]); Saul admits guilt and goes home
4. d
   CENTER: death of Samuel; David and Abigail25:1–44Abigail's speech about David's future kingship
5. c′
   Ziphites betray David; David spares Saul's life again26:1–25begins: "the Ziphites went to Saul at Gibeah and said, 'Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?'"; David refrains from killing unsuspecting Saul; takes tokens; "Saul recognized David's voice and said, 'Is that your voice, David my son?'" (26:17); Saul admits guilt and goes home
6. b′
   David protects Judean towns, while "protecting" Philistines27:1–12
7. a′
   Yahweh has Saul and his sons killed at battle of Gilboa28:1–31:13Saul unsuccessfully inquires of Yahweh (he had killed Yahweh's priest); then he inquires of a witch (something Yahweh had forbidden); meanwhile, David successfully inquires from Abiathar, sole priestly survivor of Saul's slaughter of the priests of Nob (30:7–8); witch gives hungry Saul a feast; Saul is decapitated by Philistine swords; Israelites of Saul's army scatter; Israelites in Transjordan flee; David is dismissed from the presence of King Achish of Gath and Philistines