David hides in the field, and Saul’s absence at the feast is noted by the king, who questions Jonathan about it.
Jonathan covers for David, claiming he asked to leave for Bethlehem to attend a family sacrifice.
Saul becomes furious with Jonathan and accuses him of siding with David, jeopardizing his future reign.
Saul’s intent to kill David is confirmed when he throws a spear at Jonathan during their argument.
Jonathan secretly informs David of Saul’s murderous intent using a pre-arranged signal with arrows.
David and Jonathan reaffirm their covenant of loyalty and friendship before parting ways.
David flees to Nob, where he seeks help from Ahimelech the priest, claiming to be on a secret mission from the king.
Ahimelech provides David with consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath.
Doeg the Edomite, a servant of Saul, witnesses this exchange, which will have severe repercussions.
David flees to Achish, the king of Gath, but pretends to be insane to avoid being recognized as a threat.
David escapes to the cave of Adullam, where he is joined by his family and a group of distressed followers, forming a band of 400 men.
David transfers the care of his parents to the king of Moab and is later instructed by the prophet Gad to return to Judah.
Saul learns of David’s visit to Nob and confronts Ahimelech, accusing him of supporting David.
Despite Ahimelech’s defense of David’s faithfulness, Saul orders the execution of the priests of Nob; Doeg carries out the massacre, killing 85 priests and destroying the city.
Abiathar, one of Ahimelech’s sons, escapes and informs David, who takes responsibility for the tragedy.
David saves the city of Keilah from the Philistines but must flee again when God reveals that the city's inhabitants would betray him to Saul.
David hides in the wilderness while Saul continues to pursue him, but divine intervention repeatedly prevents Saul from capturing him.
Jonathan visits David to encourage him, reaffirming his loyalty and belief in David’s future as king.
The Ziphites betray David’s location to Saul, but Saul’s pursuit is interrupted by a Philistine invasion.
David spares Saul's life in a cave where Saul unknowingly enters, cutting a piece of Saul’s robe to prove his mercy.
David reveals his behavior to Saul, prompting Saul to acknowledge David’s righteousness and future kingship while asking for mercy for his descendants.
Samuel dies, and all Israel mourns; David moves to the wilderness of Paran.
David requests provisions from a wealthy man, Nabal, who insultingly refuses; Abigail, Nabal’s wise wife, intervenes to appease David, preventing bloodshed.
Abigail delivers provisions and wisely pleads with David, who accepts her offer and praises her for preventing him from unnecessary violence.
Nabal dies shortly after, and David takes Abigail as his wife; he also marries Ahinoam of Jezreel.
Meanwhile, Saul gives David’s first wife, Michal, to another man.
The Ziphites again betray David’s whereabouts, and Saul pursues him into the wilderness of Ziph with 3,000 men.
David infiltrates Saul’s camp at night with Abishai, refraining from harming Saul but taking his spear and water jug to prove his loyalty.
David confronts Saul from a distance, rebuking Abner for failing to protect the king and demonstrating his faithfulness by sparing Saul again.
Saul admits his wrongdoing and blesses David, but David decides to flee to the Philistines to escape Saul’s endless pursuit.
David resides in Gath under the protection of King Achish, gains Ziklag as his base, and conducts successful raids while deceiving Achish about his targets.
The Philistine leaders distrust David and reject his participation in a battle against Israel, forcing him to return to Ziklag.
David finds Ziklag raided by the Amalekites and his people taken captive; he pursues them, rescues all captives, and retrieves the stolen goods.
David shares the spoils with those who stayed behind, establishing a statute of equal reward for all contributors.
Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, perish in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa.
The Philistines desecrate Saul’s body, but the men of Jabesh-Gilead recover and properly bury it.
David hears of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths from an Amalekite claiming to have killed Saul upon his request.
David mourns deeply for Saul and Jonathan, executes the Amalekite for killing the Lord’s anointed, and composes a lament honoring the fallen leaders of Israel.