In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
David was in an extremely difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
He said to his men, ‘All of you, put on your swords! ’ So each man put on his sword, and David also put on his sword. About four hundred men followed David while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
So David and his men, numbering about six hundred, left Keilah at once and moved from place to place. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he called off the expedition.
‘At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel. He will save them from the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of my people, for their cry has come to me.’
For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God #– #for whom and through whom all things exist #– #should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, “This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the Lord’s temple.
Hushai continued, ‘You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people.
Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The Lord also said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.” ’
From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.’
One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.’