David's rise to leadership is marked by a powerful combination of military victories, personal wisdom, and clear Divine providence. This growing prominence elevates his standing among the people while simultaneously deepening the rift and fear within King Saul.
The primary approach among commentators is that David simply achieved success in every direction he took [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While his success was noted earlier in his journey, those initial achievements were the result of carrying out specific missions assigned by Saul. At this stage, however, David operates and succeeds on his own initiative. He leads the people directly, applying his own intellect and understanding, and is steadily rewarded with Divine assistance [מלבי״ם].
A more psychological and spiritual perspective suggests that David's success came from his intense preparation. He applied deep reflection and careful judgment before embarking on any action, constantly evaluating whether it was the right course to take. This calculated approach stands in sharp contrast to Saul's impulsive behavior, such as his hasty actions during the war with Amalek and his premature offering of sacrifices before Samuel arrived. Saul's rashness caused him to lose Divine favor, whereas David's careful forethought ensured that God remained with Him [אלשיך].
God's presence in David's life is further explained by the purity of his intentions. Every action David took, whether physical or spiritual, was dedicated entirely to heaven. As a result, even the heavenly court of strict justice stood by his side and actively supported him [חומת אנך]. A subtle tradition regarding how David's journey is recorded reveals even more about his character. Although his actions unfolded across many different paths, they were fundamentally rooted in a single path [מנחת שי]. This singular focus points to the one core trait David held above all else: humility. Because he clung to perfect humility, he was granted success across the many different avenues of his life [חומת אנך].
This extraordinary success and the visible presence of God had a profound, dual impact on the nation. On one hand, the Israelites and the people of Judah developed a fierce love for David as the active leader who guided them in battle. On the other hand, it greatly intensified Saul's terror of him. Driven by this fear, Saul began to weave new plots to eliminate David, such as offering his daughter Michal in marriage in exchange for fighting God's wars, secretly hoping David would fall at the hands of the Philistines [רלב״ג].