Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

majesty, he would have had peace even in the middle of the
shadows of death.
David sought safety in the mountains of Judah. He escaped to
the cave of Adullam, a place that he could defend with a small force,
even against a large army. "So when his brothers and all his father's
house heard it, they went down there to him." The family of David
could not feel secure, knowing that at any time Saul's unreasonable
suspicions might be directed against them because of their relation
to David. They had now learned what was becoming generally
known in Israel--that God had chosen David as the future ruler of
His people, and they believed that they would be safer with him.
In the cave of Adullam, the family was united in sympathy and
affection. The son of Jesse could make music with his voice and
harp. He had tasted the bitterness of distrust from his own brothers,
and the harmony that now replaced this discord brought joy to the
exile's heart.
Many people had lost confidence in the ruler of Israel, for they
could see that he was no longer guided by the Spirit of the Lord.
"And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and
everyone who was discontented" gathered to David, and "he became
captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with
him." David had a little kingdom of his own here, where there was
order and discipline. But he was far from safe, for he had ongoing
evidence that the king had not given up his murderous purpose.
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