In the previous chapter, we read that David and his men mourned and chanted elegies to King Saul, his three sons, and the slain troops. The dirge (and chapter) concluded: “How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
”And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying: Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him: Go up.”
Up until now, recall, David and his fighters had sought refuge in Philistine-controlled territory. However, now that Saul no longer threatened them, David wondered if the time was ripe to come home. And so, “David inquired of the LORD.” Abravanel shares insights into David’s personality – and his smarts.
For one thing, David did not make a move of major consequence without consulting God via the Urim and Thummim, a holy priestly ornament affixed to the high priest’s breastplate. This dependence on the Maker distinguished him from King Saul. Saul hadn’t relied on the Creator to the same degree as David. Ultimately, Abravanel writes, King Saul’s misplaced self-reliance and lack of reliance on the One Above would prove Saul’s undoing. In sum, King Daviid showed an adherence to God’s will and commandments in a way that King Saul had not. For Scriptural support, Abravanel cites the Book of Chronicles: “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of a ghost, to inquire thereby, and inquired not of the LORD; therefore He slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” (I Chronicles 10)
Explicitly, as stated, we read that David asked for God’s input to see if the time was auspicious to leave the Philistines and King Achish. Abravanel asserts that the timing of David’s query to the Urim and Thummim reveals much about his smarts. Namely, David asked prior to Achish’s return from the war with Saul and the Hebrews. What underlies David’s timing?
David reasoned that King Achish of Gath knew of King Saul’s death. Furthermore, Achish knew that David had been anointed king. Perhaps, David figured, Achish would put a warrant out for his arrest, thereby preventing him from ruling over the Hebrews. The Philistine king would not want to risk a formidable David fighting Achish in Gath, after having rebuilt the Hebrews’ fighting forces. Alternatively, Abravanel considers that Achish might have pressured David to solemnly swear to him to sign a peace pact. Such strongarm tactics, naturally, would have forever hamstrung King David’s ability to fully secure his brethren’s and Israel’s safety.
Thus, Abravanel illustrates that David inquired of the LORD well before King Achish’s arrival in Gath. And God flashed David a green light. “And the LORD said unto him: Go up.” By the time the Philistine king rode into town, David was long gone, starting life anew in Hebron. “So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household; and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.”
Before concluding, Abravanel shares another snippet into David’s character. The Philistines, remember, had decapitated Saul, whisked away his body along with the bodies of Saul’s sons (I Samuel 31). Unsated, Philistines stooped lower. They affixed Saul’s and his son’s mangled, lifeless bodies to the city walls of Beth-shan (under Gentile control). Saul’s subjects risked their lives to retrieve Saul and his sons. David learned of the people’s valor during his coronation. “And the men of Judah came, and they there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying: The men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them: Blessed be you of the LORD, that you have shown this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you; and I also will requite you this kindness, because you have done this thing.” Textual juxtaposition reveals David’s probity. No sooner had he been installed as the king of Judah than he paused festivities to pay King Saul his final respects.