When his services were not required at the court of Saul, David returned to his flocks among the hills and continued to maintain his simplicity of spirit and demeanor. Whenever it was necessary, he was recalled to minister before the king, to soothe the mind of the troubled monarch till the evil spirit should depart from him. But although Saul expressed delight in David and his music, the young shepherd went from the king's house to the fields and hills of his pasture with a sense of relief and gladness.

Når Saul ikke havde brug for David, gik denne tilbage til sine hjorde mellem højene. Han vedblev at bevare sit ydmyge sind. Når der var brug for ham, sendte man atter bud efter ham, for at han skulle berolige kongens oprevne nerver og drive den onde ånd på flugt. Saul lagde ikke skjul på, at han satte pris på David og hans musik, men til trods herfor følte den unge hyrde sig altid lettet og glad, når han forlod kongens hus og gik tilbage til græsgangene.