Saul’s First Escape: Saul, having returned from an encounter with the Philistines, takes up his preoccupation with destroying David. 

24:1–7 He knows that David is located in En Gedi and can be looked for not too far away from the water source. With three battalions of crack soldiers Saul may expect to deal with David’s six hundred scratch troops. It is greatly ironic that the only time that Saul came within reach of David he was unaware of it and utterly vulnerable.

The discussion between David and his men is vividly depicted. The men conclude this must be the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would deliver David’s enemy into his hands (v. 4). There is no record of this particular oracle being given, and it is probable that such an oracle was presupposed by David’s rugged band, who by no…