Signs and Wonders (33 page)

“I swear it,” said David. “Let this be a covenant forever between the house of David and the house of Jonathan.”

David went first to the valley of Elah and took the sword of Goliath from the place he had hidden it. Two years had passed since his battle with the giant, and David had grown from a youth into a young man. He was not a large man, and the sword was huge. But he felt a fire from heaven coursing through his arms and shoulders, filling him with weird strength. He lifted the sword and swung it easily, and knew that God was with him in his troubles. He swung the gigantic blade and sang to himself, and was not afraid. He went into the hills ringing the Dead Sea a few miles east of Bethlehem, and hid in a great cave called Adullam.

Word went out that David was at Adullam. Magic dwelt in his name, though he was a fugitive and hunted by the king, and men went to join him. Men who were in debt and could not pay; men who had lost their farms or their flocks; and those who were discontented with the king’s rule went to the cave at Adullam and made David their captain. Now he commanded four hundred men, hardened, fearless men who trusted him utterly and would follow him wherever he led.

Saul sent troops of his best warriors against David. They hunted him through the length and breadth of the land, in desert, forest, and mountain. But David had trained his men to run like deer, to climb like wild goats, to swim rivers, and to move silently and hide themselves like creatures of the wild. Saul’s troops wearied themselves in pursuit but could never come to grips with David’s men. The king offered a bounty for every man of David’s killed or captured, and a huge reward to the one who would kill David. Still the little band eluded the king’s army.

Many times David’s men could have turned light-footedly upon their pursuers in mountain passes or marshy places, and hunted down their hunters and slain them. But David did not allow this. They grumbled, saying, “Must we always fly, never fight?”

David addressed them, saying, “You shall not attack Saul’s men except to protect your lives. They, also, are children of Israel. They are our brothers; I will not have brother fighting brother. I will lead you into battle, I promise. But it will be the Philistines we fight.”

And the Philistines, sensing Saul’s weakness, were pressing hard again. The three kings led great armies out of their coast cities against the strongholds of Israel. And Saul called back the troops he had sent to pursue David, for they were needed against the Philistines.

Now it was that David forged his band into a deadly weapon. They roamed far behind the Philistine lines, ambushing small detachments and slaughtering them, stealing mules, stampeding horses, looting food wagons. And God marched with David. His spirit rode David’s banners, and the tiny band did more damage than all Saul’s army.

Saul was not grateful. He felt himself strangling with envy and hatred, and called certain men to him. “There is a truce now with the Philistines,” he said. “And I can strike against the foe who devours us from within like a worm in the fruit. I send you as spies throughout the land. Search out David’s haunts, and find those who have seen him there. Bring them to me that torture may be applied and the last drop of information wrung out of them. Those who come to me with sure news shall receive vineyards and fat flocks and much treasure. Go now, friends. Hunt the fox. Run him down and get rich.”

Spies fanned out through the land and looked everywhere and questioned everyone, and went back to Saul, reporting that David had led his men into the wilderness of Engedi.

Word came now of Samuel’s death, and David wept for the old man who had anointed him and counseled him so wisely. But he did not dare to go to Samuel’s funeral, for he knew that Saul would be there.

“Forgive me, teacher, old friend,” he said. “Forgive me for not attending your final rites. But know this: In my own way I shall erect a memorial to you that your name may live in man’s mind forever.”

Saul led three thousand men into Engedi. It was steep, hilly country, very difficult for troop movement. But Saul drove his men up and down the hills in search of David. High upon the mountain where wild goats play, David had found a large cave and encamped there with his men, and Saul marched his troops uphill in swift pursuit. But when he reached the sheepcotes on top, he saw no sign of anyone. He let his men rest then, but was too impatient to rest himself and scouted ahead. He climbed farther and came to the mouth of a cave. He went into the cave. It was very dark after the bright sunlight. He saw nothing, and lay down to sleep.

David’s sentry came across the sleeper, and, to his amazement, recognized the king. He ran to David and said: “Behold the day that the Lord promised you, saying, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your hand.’ He has kept His promise, my captain, for your enemy, Saul, lies at the mouth of the cave fast asleep.”

David went to the mouth of the cave, sword in hand. He looked down upon the sleeper. The exhausted king was fathoms deep. He did not twitch or mumble. David studied the face he knew so well. It seemed to have aged greatly. He was looking at the face of an old man. He raised his sword, but could not strike. He knew that he was laying up much trouble for himself, but he could not kill the sleeping man. With his sharp sword he cut off the edge of Saul’s robe, and went back into the depths of the cave.

His men crowded about him, crying, “Did you kill him? Is he dead?”

“God forbid that I should do this thing,” said David. “He is the one that the Lord has anointed, and I cannot raise my hand against him. For God has made him king, and in His own good time, if He repents of His choice, will pluck the king He made from his throne. Go now, quickly! Go down into the valley, for the king’s men are up here. Hasten! Go! I shall come to you in the valley.”

The men left. They went through a narrow, rocky tunnel, and out a hole in the side of the mountain, which was a secret way. David waited until he saw Saul arise and leave the cave. Then he followed, and cried out after him: “My lord, my King!”

Saul whirled and looked behind him. He saw David stooping with his face to the earth, bowing to him.

“Why do you believe that I seek to harm you?” said David. “Behold, this day God delivered you into my hand in the cave. My men bade me kill you. But I spared you.”

Saul stared at him silently.

“See this in my hand,” said David. “This is the skirt of your robe. I cut it off with my sword as you lay asleep. Yes, I used my sword against you as you lay helpless before me. But it was not to kill you, only to cut your robe in proof that I mean no evil toward you. Yet, my father, though I do not sin against you, you hunt me like a wild beast. May God judge between you and me, and if you have done evil, I will leave vengeance to Him. But I will not raise my hand against you. Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. My hand will not be upon you.”

Still Saul stood motionless, silent. He was like a rock upon the mountain, and David continued to speak to him.

“Why does the king of Israel march forth with his thousands of troops? Whom does he pursue? A dead dog, a flea, and no more. If you will not hear my words, then let God plead my cause and deliver me out of your hand.”

Finally Saul spoke. His voice was so low that David could hardly hear him. “Is this your voice, my son David?” The king wept. David saw tears running down that iron face. “You are more righteous than I,” said Saul. “You have done good for the evil that I have done you. The Lord delivered me into your hand and you did not kill me. What other man, finding his enemy thus, would let him go his way? Now, may God reward you for what you have done this day. And know this, too: You shall surely be king after me. The kingdom of Israel shall be established in you.”

Again David bowed to the ground.

“Come home now,” said Saul. “Bring your men into my army, and be my chief captain.”

“I shall find my men and follow after,” said David. He bowed to the king, turned, and went his way. When he reached the valley, he mustered his men and hurried them away from the mountain as fast as he could. He had welcomed Saul’s words, but he also remembered what Samuel had said: “Do not delude yourself. He repents as easily as he sins, and will sin again.” And David knew that Saul would change again, and again seek to kill him. So he kept his men together, and roamed the hills and wild places, and did not return.

But when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid. He prayed to God, but received no answer. God did not speak to Saul or send him dreams or visions or the word of a prophet.

The Witch of Endor

After Samuel died, Saul, in a fit of piety, had obeyed an edict of Samuel's and exiled all witches and wizards and those who trafficked with ghosts and demons, and had forbidden them to return on pain of death. But now the king was troubled. Word had come to him that the Philistines were gathering in a might host. He called off the pursuit of David and returned to Gibeah, where he dwelt. He mustered his entire army and marched eastward. The three kings of the Philistines came with a huge, well-trained army and encamped at Shunem. Saul pitched his tents at Gilboa.

“I am lost,” said Saul. “I am in a fog of fear and doubt. I must have help that is beyond human help. Prophets fail me, so I must find a witch.” And he said to his servants: “Find me a witch.”

A servant said : “There is a woman who lives at Endor and speaks with spirits.”

Saul took off his armor and dressed himself in ordinary clothing. He took two men and they went to Endor. There was no moon; it was black night. The three men entered the old woman’s house. Saul regarded the woman, who looked like a bundle of rags with a wig on top. He said: “I pray you, call up your familiar spirit and bid him usher from the Land of the Dead him whose name I shall say to you.”

“You ask me to practice witchcraft,” said the old woman.

“Are you not a witch?” said Saul.

“No more,” said the woman. “For the king has forbidden it. He has forbidden wizardry and witchcraft on the pain of death. Why do you lay a snare for my life?”

“I stand close to the king,” said Saul. “Pardon resides in my office. Do as I say, and you shall earn no punishment but a fat purse.”

“Whom shall I call up from the Land of the Dead?” said the woman.

“Bring me Samuel.”

She lit a fire in her hearth and dropped a powder upon it, muttering. Fragrant smoke arose. The smoke thickened and was a tall spout of smoke, and that became the vague, steamy figure of Samuel.

“You who ignored my counsel while I was yet alive,” said the voice of Samuel, “you, Saul, why do you summon me from my final place? Have I not earned repose?”

“You have deceived me!” cried the witch. “You are Saul himself. You are the king and will slay me.”

“Be quiet,” said the king. “No one shall harm you.” Then Saul bowed before Samuel.

“Why have you disturbed me?” said Samuel. “Why have you brought me here?”

“I am sore distressed,” said Saul. “The Philistines come against me in a mighty host. And God has departed from me and does not answer me, not by word or vision or dream. And there is no other prophet to speak His word. Therefore do I call unto you, Samuel.”

“I cannot help you now,” said Samuel. “The Lord has departed from you. He has done only what I told you He would do. He has rent the kingdom out of your hand and shall give it to David. You did not obey the word of the Lord; therefore He does this thing to you. Tomorrow He delivers Israel into the hand of the Philistine. And by tomorrow night you shall be with me, and your sons shall be with me.”

Saul’s heart was split by terror. He crashed to the floor. He was also enfeebled by hunger; he had eaten nothing for a day and a night. Samuel had vanished. The old woman bent to Saul and said: “Behold, your servant has obeyed your voice. I put my life in your hand, and did what you said. Now, I pray, do what I say. Eat a morsel of bread. Restore your strength so that you may leave.”

“No,” groaned Saul. “I will not eat.”

But the old woman spoke to the men and told them that the king would not have strength to walk if he did not eat, and they persuaded Saul. He arose from the floor and sat on the bed. The woman roasted a fat calf and baked a new loaf of bread. She had no yeast and the bread was unleavened. She served the meal to Saul and his men. They ate, and left the house. That was Saul’s last meal.

Saul’s Death

The next day the Philistines attacked. Wave after wave of armored men and brass chariots hurled themselves against Saul’s lines. The men of Israel broke and fled before the Philistines. The enemy followed them, and there was bloody work. The children of Israel were slaughtered by the thousands, and the Philistines were triumphant.

Saul fought bravely. His men formed a hedge of spears around him, and he fought on after the battle was lost. He saw Jonathan fall, and his other two sons. And an archer of the Philistines drew his bow against Saul and sent an arrow through his breastplate, wounding him sorely.

Saul spoke to his armor bearer: “Draw your sword and thrust me through. Or these uncircumcised dogs will come and worry my body.” But his armor bearer did not dare to kill the king. Saul placed the hilt of his own sword carefully on the ground and fell upon it. It pierced him through.

It was total defeat. Throughout Israel the people forsook their cities and fled into the wilderness. The Philistines went and dwelt in the abandoned cities. Saul’s body and the corpses of his sons were taken to Bethshan. The bodies were stripped of their armor and impaled, naked, on the city walls. But first the Philistines struck off Saul’s head. They took his armor and hung it as a trophy in the temple of their mother goddess, Astarte. The king’s head was laid upon the altar of the sea god, Dagon, who was half fish.

David was in the wilderness when news came to him of the Philistine victory, and of how Saul and Jonathan had died. When David heard this, he saw Jonathan again in all his beauty, and he felt his heart breaking with the loss of his friend. In his love and grief he forgot any resentment toward Saul, and remembered only the great, robed figure in the shadowed throne room listening to a boy play a harp. He remembered the proud king in his armor leading his warriors. He remembered the naked man groveling in the dust before Samuel. He remembered the sleeper in the cave. And David cried: