David's Flight from Saul
1 Sam 19 – 2 Sam 2 · c. 1013–1006 BC
From the king's court to the caves of the wilderness – David's years as an outlaw on the run (c. 1013–1006 BC; 1 Sam 19–30).
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David’s Flight from Saul
1 Sam 19 – 2 Sam 2 · c. 1013–1006 BC
From the king's court to the caves of the wilderness – David's years as an outlaw on the run (c. 1013–1006 BC; 1 Sam 19–30).
Trip stops (17)
1
Gibeah
1 Sam 19:1-17
Saul's royal city. Michal helps David escape through a window at night.
2
Ramah
1 Sam 19:18-24
David flees to Samuel at Ramah. Saul's messengers, and Saul himself, are seized by the spirit of prophecy.
3
Nob
1 Sam 21:1-9
The city of priests. The priest Ahimelech gives David the showbread and Goliath's sword.
4
Gath
1 Sam 21:10-15
The city of Achish, king of the Philistines. David pretends to be mad in order to survive.
5
Cave of Adullam
1 Sam 22:1-2
David gathers 400 men – the distressed, the indebted and the discontented. His base in the early days.
6
Mizpeh in Moab
1 Sam 22:3-4
David brings his parents to safety with the king of Moab, on the other side of the Dead Sea.
7
Forest of Hereth
1 Sam 22:5
The prophet Gad tells David to leave the stronghold and go to Judah. David settles here.
8
Keilah
1 Sam 23:1-13
David saves the city from the Philistines. He asks the Lord through the ephod – the citizens will hand him over. He flees.
9
Wilderness of Ziph
1 Sam 23:14-23
David hides in the hill country. Jonathan visits him and renews their covenant. The Ziphites betray him.
10
Wilderness of Maon
1 Sam 23:24-28
Saul chases David around a mountain. He is saved at the last moment by a Philistine invasion.
11
En-gedi
1 Sam 24:1-22
The oasis by the Dead Sea. In the cave David cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, but spares his life.
12
Carmel / Maon
1 Sam 25:1-42
Nabal turns David away. Abigail steps in with supplies and prevents bloodshed. David takes her as his wife.
13
Wilderness of Ziph (second time)
1 Sam 26:1-25
The Ziphites betray David again. David slips into Saul's camp and takes his spear and water jug – but spares him.
14
Gath (second time)
1 Sam 27:1-4
David goes to Achish at Gath again – this time with 600 men. Saul gives up the chase.
15
Ziklag
1 Sam 27:5-12
Achish gives David Ziklag as a fief. David operates from here for a year and four months.
16
Ziklag (the Amalekite raid)
1 Sam 30:1-20
David comes home to a burned city. He pursues the Amalekites and rescues all the captives and all the plunder.
17
Hebron
2 Sam 2:1-4
After Saul's death David goes up to Hebron, where Judah anoints him king. The years on the run are over.