Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

The people's thoughts were bitter as they looked on Samuel's
quiet resting place and remembered their foolishness in rejecting
him as their ruler. He had had so close a connection with Heaven
that he seemed to hold all Israel together to God's throne. Samuel
had taught them to love and obey God, but now he was dead. The
people felt that they were left to the mercies of a king who was
joined to Satan and who would divorce the people from God and
heaven.
David knew that Samuel's death had broken another link of
control on the actions of Saul, and he felt less secure than when the
prophet lived, so he fled to the wilderness of Paran. In these desolate
wilds, realizing that the prophet was dead and the king was his
enemy, he sang:
He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps
Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. ... The Lord shall preserve
your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even
forevermore. Psalm 121:3-8
Nabal, the Hard-Hearted Farmer
David and his men protected the flocks and herds of a wealthy
man named Nabal, who had vast resources in Paran. But Nabal's
character was ill-tempered and stingy.
It was the time of sheep shearing--a season of hospitality.
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