And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.
David swore to keep his covenant with Saul, pledging that when he himself became king he would deal favorably with Saul's family and preserve them. After that oath Saul went home to his own place, while David and his men went up to the hold, remaining in the mountain strongholds. David remained there because he did not trust that Saul's assurances and friendly professions would last.
The verse presents David as a mere shepherd lad who held God's promise of the throne yet was utterly helpless in himself, set against Saul as the established monarch determined to hold fast his power. His stand proves that those who trust the word of God can withstand the power of the whole world, and it demonstrates the power of God's word prevailing over all human power and policy arrayed in support of evil. By such faithfulness David belongs to the world's true nobility, its royal line, and the youth of today are called to take their places in that same line.
David swore to keep his covenant with Saul, pledging that when he himself became king he would deal favorably with Saul's family and preserve them. After that oath Saul went home to his own place, while David and his men went up to the hold, remaining in the mountain strongholds. David remained there because he did not trust that Saul's assurances and friendly professions would last.
The verse presents David as a mere shepherd lad who held God's promise of the throne yet was utterly helpless in himself, set against Saul as the established monarch determined to hold fast his power. His stand proves that those who trust the word of God can withstand the power of the whole world, and it demonstrates the power of God's word prevailing over all human power and policy arrayed in support of evil. By such faithfulness David belongs to the world's true nobility, its royal line, and the youth of today are called to take their places in that same line.