BibleTools.info

18. Came to Samuel. David was doubtless greatly perplexed over the conduct of God’s appointed leader, Saul. Why did God permit Saul to continue as king? Was God particular? Had He deserted the nation? The tabernacle and its services at Shiloh had been discontinued; the ark was in a Levite’s home in Kirjath-jearim. Could it be that all these centuries of service and religion had been a hoax? Was there really a God in heaven? Did He have a plan for Israel? Why should he, David, give up his work with the sheep to assist in the development of the kingdom if the high standards he had always cherished were to be cast aside? What was there to gain in fighting the Philistines if the king was determined to murder the one who had obtained the victory? David dared not lift his hand against the Lord’s anointed (ch. 24:6, 10), yet what to do he could not say. See David’s Wanderings When Fleeing from Saul: a. and b.

Thoroughly frightened because of Saul’s attempt on his life, David naturally sought counsel from the one who had called him from the sheepfold to a place of responsibility in Israel, and had, possibly, taught him at Ramah. With Samuel he would feel as safe from Saul as if there had been a sanctuary to which he might flee (see 1 Kings 1:50-53; 2:28-34).

Dwelt in Naioth. Perhaps, literally, “sat in the lodgings,” but the meaning of Naioth is uncertain. The verb yashab, “to dwell,” also means “to sit,” as a king on his throne or a judge before his court or a teacher before his class. These “lodgings” were in Ramah (vs. 19, 22, 23), perhaps a dormitory Samuel had erected for the young men in training at his school. David found Samuel in Ramah, instructing his students rather than away on his annual circuit (1 Sam. 7:16, 17).