In | A Defense of David’s Legitimacy in 1 and 2 Samuel, Part 2

Let’s explore each of the six possible accusations lodged against David:

Accusation #1: 

Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you.
1 Samuel 19:4 (NRSV)

David did not advance himself at Saul’s expense. Even the King’s son Jonathan recognized David’s loyal support and willingness to risk his life for Saul.

Accusation #2

Then an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, while David was playing music. Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear; but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night.
1 Samuel 19:9-10 (NRSV)

David was not a deserter. He wanted to remain with the king but was driven away by Saul’s attempts to kill him.

Accusation #3

And [David) added, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What guilt is on my hands? (Saul and his allies) have driven me out today from my share in the heritage of the LORD …. Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the ground, away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
1 Samuel 26:18-20 (NRSV)

David doesn’t want the life of an outlaw. He was forced to hide and live away from the presence of the Lord. 

Accusation #4

David said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines; then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”
1 Samuel 27:1 (NRSV)

David had no choice but to serve the Philistines as the Israelite king was trying to kill him and made David’s service to his own people impossible.

Accusation #5

About ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died …. Then David sent and wooed Abigail, to make her his wife. When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife.” She rose and bowed down, with her face to the ground, and said, “Your servant is a slave to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” Abigail got up hurriedly and rode away on a donkey; her five maids attended her. She went after the messengers of David and became his wife.
1 Samuel 25:38-42 (NRSV)

YHWH killed Nabal, not David. And David did not take Abigail as his property, but “wooed her” and she was grateful to become his wife. 

Accusation #6

David said to (the man who killed Saul), “Were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Come here and strike him down.” So he struck him down and he died. David said to him, “Your blood be on your head; for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’”
2 Samuel 1:14-16 (NRSV)

David did not kill Saul. He was anguished when he learned of Saul’s death and killed the person who had taken Saul’s life.