Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

son of Jesse had no hope that the king would continue thinking this
way for very long.
David felt hopeless that there would ever be a reconciliation
with Saul. It seemed that he would finally fall victim to the hatred of
the king. With the six hundred men under his command, he went
over to Achish, the king of Gath.
David's conclusion that Saul would accomplish his murderous
intent was formed without the counsel of God. Even while Saul was
plotting his destruction, the Lord was working to obtain the
kingdom for David. Looking at appearances, people interpret the
trials and tests that God permits as things that will only bring their
ruin. David looked on appearances and not at the promises of God.
He doubted that he would ever come to the throne. Long trials had
worn down his faith and exhausted his patience.
The Lord did not send David to the Philistines, the most bitter
foes of Israel, for protection. Yet, having lost all confidence in Saul
and in those who served him, David threw himself on the mercies of
his people's enemies. God had appointed him to set up his kingdom
in the land of Judah, and it was lack of faith that led him to run away
from his duty.
Another of David's Mistakes
The Philistines had feared David more than Saul. By placing
himself under the protection of the Philistines, David revealed to
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