Exile

1011-1010 B.C.; age 29-30

David flees to Philistia
1 Sam. 27:1-12

Mighty men join David in Ziklag
1 Chron. 12:1-7

David drafted and expelled from the Philistine army

• Achish drafts David and his men
  1 Sam. 28:1-2
• Philistines exclude David from their army
  1 Sam. 29:1-11

David receives defectors from Saul's army
1 Chron. 12:19-22

Saul consults a witch at Endor
1 Sam. 28:3-25

David finds Ziklag plundered and burned
1 Sam. 30:1-6

David rescues his family from the Amalekites
1 Sam. 30:7-31

Saul dies in battle
1 Sam. 31:1-13 [1 Chron. 10:1-14]

David receives news of Saul's death
2 Sam. 1:1-27

Court Appearance

1023–1016 B.C.; age 17-24

David and his family are introduced twice in 1 Samuel (16:1-23 and 17:1 - 18:9). David is described in both introductions as a handsome shepherd and a son of Jesse. The introductions are overlapping chronologically since they both end with him serving as a soldier in Saul's army. The following chronology eliminates the contradictions many have seen in the accounts. A full discussion of this problem can be found in my book King David: A Biography and Devotional Commentary.

David anointed by Samuel to replace Saul
1 Sam. 16:1-13

David leads Israel to victory over the Philistines

• Goliath insults the Israelite army
  1 Sam. 17:1-11
• David enters the Israelite camp
  1 Sam. 17:12-30
• David prepares for battle
  1 Sam. 17:31-40
• David kills Goliath
  1 Sam. 17:41-54
• Saul inquires about David
  1 Sam. 17:55-18:1
• David arouses Saul's jealousy
  1 Sam. 18:6-9

David enters Saul’s family

• Saul sends for David
  1 Sam. 16:14-23; cf. 1 Sam. 16:22 and 18:2
• Jonathan makes a covenant with David
  1 Sam. 18:3-5
• David eludes Saul and becomes successful
  1 Sam. 18:10-16
• David marries Michal
  1 Sam. 18:17-30
• Jonathan intercedes for David
  1 Sam. 19:1-7

David expelled from Saul’s family

• David flees for his life
  1 Sam. 19:8-17
• David finds refuge with Samuel
  1 Sam. 19:18-24

David fails to renew Saul's favor
1 Sam. 20:1-42