16:1–31:13 These chapters narrate David’s rise to power and Saul’s fall from power and his death. David’s rise is marked by his anointing by Samuel and his time in Saul’s service (chs. 16–18), his flight from Saul (chs. 19–23), his avoidance of bloodguilt (chs. 24–26), and his escape to the Philistines (chs. 27–31).