The Journeys of David
The shepherd’s road: from Bethlehem’s fields to the throne of all Israel, and twice out into the wilderness — a fugitive from Saul, and a fugitive from his own son.
Bethlehem
Samuel anoints the youngest son of Jesse while Saul still reigns; the Spirit of the LORD comes upon David from that day forward.
The courts of Saul
David’s music soothes the king who twice tries to pin him to the wall; he marries Michal and wins every battle — and Saul’s jealousy burns the hotter.
Nob and Gath
Bread and Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech; then, terrified, David feigns madness before Achish of Gath — the humiliation of Psalm 56.
The Cave of Adullam
Four hundred men — distressed, indebted, discontented — gather to him in the cave and become the core of an army.
Keilah and the wilderness
He saves Keilah, learns Saul is coming, and flees through Ziph and Maon, where a rock divides him from capture at the last moment.
En-gedi and the wilderness of Paran
He cuts the king’s skirt in the cave but will not stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed; again at the hill of Hachilah he takes the spear and cruse — and lets him live.
Ziklag
Sixteen months in Philistine country; while he is away the Amalekites burn Ziklag and take the families — David encourages himself in the LORD, pursues, and recovers all.
Hebron
Saul and Jonathan fall at Gilboa; David is anointed king at Hebron and reigns there seven and a half years.
Jerusalem
The Jebusite stronghold is taken and becomes the city of David; the ark comes up with dancing; God covenants a house and a throne for ever.
Out by the Kidron
Barefoot and weeping up the Mount of Olives, betrayed by Ahithophel, cursed by Shimei — the king endures God’s chastening for his sin with Bathsheba.
Back across Jordan
Absalom dies hanging in the oak; David’s grief is public, his return slow and gracious; Sheba’s revolt is put down.
Jerusalem, last years
Numbering the people brings pestilence; he buys Araunah’s threshing floor — the Temple mount. He prepares materials and charges Solomon, then dies after forty years of reign.
Reading photograph: “Colosseum in Rome, Italy - April 2007” — the Colosseum at dusk — by Diliff, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons — resized.
