Saul had incorporated in his body-guard a young shepherd of Beth-lehem in Judah of the name of David.
David showed himself a brave and skilful soldier, and quickly rose to high command in the Hebrew army, and to be the son-in-law of Saul.

His victories over the Philistines were celebrated in popular songs, and the king began to suspect him of aiming at the throne.

He was forced to fly for his life, and to hide among the mountain fastnesses of Judah, where his boyhood had been spent.

Here he became a brigand-chief, outlaws and adventurers gathering around him, and exacting food from the richer landowners.

Saul pursued him in vain; David slipped out of his hands time after time, thanks to the nature of the country in which he had taken refuge; and the only result of the pursuit was to open the road once more to Philistine invasion.