How we cite our quotes:
Quote #4
The following are those who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul son of Kish; they were among the mighty warriors who helped him in war. They were archers, and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right hand or the left; they were Benjaminites, Saul's kindred. (1 Chronicles 12:1-2, NRSV)
Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war. They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 12:1-2, KJV)
Unless David's able to convince some of the folks who are loyal to Saul to come over to his side, he doesn't have much chance of ruling. In this passage, even Saul's own family is jumping ship to swear their allegiance to David. In a nation surrounded by hostile neighbors, it's important to have the loyal backing of all your subjects.
Quote #5
David said to the whole assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if it is the will of the Lord our God […] Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us; for we did not turn to it in the days of Saul." (1 Chronicles 13:2-3, NRSV)
David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God […] let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. (1 Chronicles 13:2-3, KJV)
A not-so-subtle dig at the late king. Saul left God's house—the Ark of the Covenant—stored away in someone's back room. The comparison is crystal clear. And David says all this in front of the entire nation, insuring that they'll want to be loyal to God as well. They know what happened to Saul.
Quote #6
Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. David inquired of God, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" The Lord said to him, "Go up, and I will give them into your hand." So he went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, "God has burst out against my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood." Therefore that place is called Baal-perazim. They abandoned their gods there, and at David's command they were burned. Once again the Philistines made a raid in the valley. When David again inquired of God, God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; go around and come on them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. (1 Chronicles 14:9-16, NRSV)
The Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. (1 Chronicles 14:9-16, KJV)
David is God's most ardent follower in this book. Even though he's proved himself a killed warrior, he asks God's tactical advice for attacking the Philistines. They're an unbeatable team. This is one of the themes that pervades the story—God and David working in tandem.