During Saul’s reign, the people of Judah were also torn between loyalty to the king and loyalty to the local hero David, whom Saul had declared an outlaw. Since David had cultivated the friendship of the elders of Judah even while allegedly an ally of the Philistines (1 Sam. 30:26), his leadership status is clearly established. Nonetheless, after Saul’s death David takes nothing for granted and seeks the Lord’s guidance before moving to Heb…