A King called David - Part 4

In the previous blog post 'A King called David - Part 3' we finished the post with King Saul determined to seek out David and kill him. In 1 Samuel chapter 21 we learn that David fled to the city of Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech is unaware that King Saul is seeking to kill David and that David is fleeing from Saul. Ahimelech gives David and his companions 'holy' bread to eat which should have been for the exclusive use of the priests. David also asks for and receives Goliath the giant's sword. Saul's chief herdsman, Doeg the Edomite is there and witnesses the incident.

David then flees to the Philistines, to Achish king of Gath. Achish however is wary of David and his reputation. David is apprehensive and pretends to be a madman before Achish. Achish thrusts him out of his presence. David then flees to the Cave of Adullam. In 1 Samuel chapter 22 we find that David is concerned about his family. His brothers and his parents and their families come to David. David then makes arrangements with the king of Moab to protect his family until David is able to protect them himself. A motley crew of about 400 men join David.

1 Samuel 22:2

"And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him."

The prophet Gad comes to David and tells him to leave the cave at Adullam and go to the land of Judah. David does this and goes to the forest of Hereth. Saul continues to seek out David. Doeg the Edomite informs Saul that he saw David with the priest Elimelech. Saul sends for Elimelech and all the priests in Nob to question them. When Saul questions Elimelech he is not satisfied with Elimelech's answers. He is not convinced that Elimelech is innocent. He orders his men to kill Elimelech. Saul's men would not lay hands on God's priests. Saul orders Doeg the Edomite to kill Elimelech. Doeg the Edomite slew Elimelech and the other priests. Doeg slew 85 priests that day on Saul's orders.

Saul then slew all the inhabitants of Nob, the city of priests, including all their livestock. Abiathar, one of Elimelech's sons managed to escape and went to David. David is full of remorse that he had been the cause of so many deaths. He tells Abiathar to stay with him and his men for protection.

In 1 Samuel chapter 23 we find Saul repeatedly pursuing David; but David with the Lord's help evades Saul. David's band of followers has now increased to 600 men. Saul eventually catches up with David in the wilderness of Maon. He and his men are closing in on David when Saul gets a message that the Philistines had invaded Israel. Saul departs to fight the Philistines. David also departs and goes to the strongholds at En Gedi. When Saul returns from fighting the Philistines he is informed that David is at En Gedi. Saul then takes 3,000 chosen fighting men and goes to the wilderness of En Gedi.

1 Samuel 24:2-3

"(2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
(3) So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)"

Here is a momentous time in both Saul and David's lives. Saul enters the very cave where David and his men are hiding! He is alone! Saul must have been tired and gone to sleep in the cave. David's men tell David that the Lord had delivered Saul into David's hands. David however does not kill Saul but cuts off a piece of Saul's robe; then prevents his men from killing Saul. His heart is smitten by guilt that he has done this deed against the Lord's anointed king.

1 Samuel 24:7-12

"(7) So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
(8) David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.

(9) And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Indeed David seeks your harm'?

(10) Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, 'I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed.'

(11) Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.

(12) Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you."

When Saul realises that it is David speaking to him and knows that David could have killed him in the cave, he acknowledges that David had been more righteous than himself.

1 Samuel 24:17-22

"(17) Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.

(18) And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.

(19) For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

20) And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.

(21) Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house."

(22) So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold."

What lessons can we learn from the blog post today?

* David was forced to flee for his life because of Saul's intense jealousy. Intense jealousy can make us retreat to a safe place.

* It is useless fleeing to another enemy for protection. David had to flee from Achish. We may have to make a hasty exit.

* The enemies of the Lord's people, e.g. Doeg the Edomite, are only too happy to get rid of the Lord's people.

* Intense jealousy can set off a horrible chain of events, with devastating consequences; e.g. the murder of the priests.

 * The Lord helped David evade capture and death. The Lord is on our side, He will protect us.

 * The Lord gave David an opportunity for revenge on Saul. He did not take it! "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay" saith the Lord." Romans 12:19.

 *A righteous act will often force others to admit you are more righteous in your actions than they are in theirs.

 * The last point is to acknowledge the sovereignty of the true and living God in our lives. He will, and often does, overrule in our lives. 

Jon Peasey

Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

 

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

 

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