Bible Explorer · Journey · 9 Stops

David the Fugitive: From Saul’s Court to Hebron’s Throne

The perilous wilderness journey of David escaping King Saul’s jealous wrath, seeking asylum in the caves and strongholds of Judah and Philistia, sparing Saul’s life twice, and finally ascending the throne in Hebron.

Traveler

  • David

    Follow the full biblical biography of David.

Itinerary Stops (9)

  • Stop 1: Gibeah (1 Samuel 19:1-10; 1 Samuel 20:41-42)

    David escapes Saul’s javelin in Gibeah and bids a weeping farewell to Jonathan in the field.

  • Stop 2: Ramah (1 Samuel 19:18-24)

    David flees to Samuel at Naioth in Ramah where Saul’s messengers and Saul himself are overwhelmed by the prophetic Spirit.

  • Stop 3: Nob (1 Samuel 21:1-9)

    David receives consecrated showbread and the sword of Goliath from Ahimelech the priest at Nob.

  • Stop 4: Cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1-2)

    David gathers four hundred distressed, indebted, and discontented men at the Cave of Adullam.

  • Stop 5: Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1-13)

    David inquires of the Lord, delivers Keilah from Philistine plundering, and flees before Saul surrounds the town.

  • Stop 6: En-gedi (1 Samuel 24:1-22)

    In the crags of the wild goats at En-gedi, David cuts Saul’s robe inside a cave and refuses to harm the Lord’s anointed.

  • Stop 7: Carmel of Judah (1 Samuel 25:1-42)

    Abigail acts with swift wisdom to stop David from avenging Nabal’s insult, and marries David after Nabal dies.

  • Stop 8: Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:5-7; 1 Samuel 30:1-26)

    King Achish grants David the border town of Ziklag, where David resides sixteen months and recovers captive families from Amalekites.

  • Stop 9: Hebron (2 Samuel 2:1-4)

    Following Saul’s death on Gilboa, David inquires of the Lord and moves to Hebron where the men of Judah anoint him king.

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