Close by numerous hot sulphur springs spew out their healing waters. A modern sign at the roadway leading to Ein Gedi might read, "Welcome to take a bath at Ein Gedi - we have hot and cold running water, naturally!"

In that canyon is a cave where David was hiding from Saul who was on one of his murderous episodes. Saul, inadvertently, went into that same cave to "cover his feet." The meeting house library picture of this event usually shows Saul asleep with his feet covered. The term actually means to "relieve himself." (Maybe we'll just leave this event un-illustrated!)

When David had cut Saul's garment and showed him the piece, Saul exclaimed realized that David could have killed him. Yet David used the opportunity to bear his witness. He would not kill the Lord's anointed. Saul probably understood that the statement was also valid in reverse . . . neither should Saul kill the Lord's anointed.

This logic is better understood by realizing that Hebrew is a language of inference. Often things said contain more meanings than the obvious words.

The friendship of David and Jonathan is still reflected in Israeli society. Long term, true friendships are created as young men and women serve in the military at the age of eighteen. In the Army a bank president can be a jeep driver for an officer who his employee. They trust and depend on each other. Their friendship transcends their civilian relationship.

The biblical verses read at the memorial services of a fallen Israeli soldier include the following lamentation of David:

• The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! (2 Samuel 1:19-27)

Most of what we know about David, Saul and his son Jonathan comes from the Holy Scriptures. Some creative works have been produced, fired by imagination and legends. The only non-biblical text ever discovered that includes the name of David with a time reference that connects it to his time was a stone used in a walkway leading to the entrance of "Tel Dan" in upper Galilee. Originally, that stone was part of a memorial stele that was a monument of some kind in its day.