David was asked by the Lord whether he would prefer to be delivered into the hand of the enemy or whether he would prever to be childless, as a punishment for various sins which had happened through him, such as the destruction of Nob, the death of Saul and his sons. He prefered to fall into the hands of the enemy. One day when he was out hunting, Satan in the form of a hart drew him slowly away from his followers until he brought him to the Philistines, and when Yishbi saw him he recognised him and said, “Oh, this is David who killed my brother Goliath." So he caught hold of him and put him under his seat, sat upon him and said, “After I have eaten and drunk I will kill him." The earth gave way under David, otherwise he would have been crushed to death. That happened on a Friday. Abishai bar Seruyah the cousin of David noticed that the mule of David was restive, and then a dove came flying in his face and he said, “Surely the King is in danger." According to another tradition the wine in his cup turned into vinegar, whilst yet another tradition says he held the crown of David [probably of leaves] and it withered.
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So he went in search of David but could not find him. Then he took the mule which sprang like lightning over 400 miles and brought him to the place. Orpah, the mother of Yishbi, who was sitting on the wall of the town saw him coming and she said, 'This man is coming to save David." And she wanted to throw the wheel of her spindle at him but she could not reach it. Her servant said, "Give me the spindle and I will throw it." She took the spindle and killed the old woman with it. When Yishbi saw Abishai coming, he took David and threw him up in the air 3 miles high and planted his spear in the earth, point upwards, for David to fall upon it. Abishai then pronounced the Ineffable Name of God and David remained suspended in the air. Abishai asked him how he came to be in such a position and David explained that in answer to God he had preferred to fall into the hands of the enemy rather than reign without issue. Abishai prayed to God for him, caught hold of David and took him away. Yishbi pursued them and when they reached Kobi, they cried out, "Stand up!" When they came to Yitri they said "Go and tell thy dead Mother Orpah the two whelps have killed the lion?" When Yishbi heard that he lost his strength and was overpowered by the two and killed. When the Israelites learned of the danger in which David had placed himself they would no longer allow him to go out alone.