David's actions & Saul's reactions - 1 Samuel 21-24
Prayer: Lord as we open your Word prepare our hearts, help us to learn and grow in our own faith walk as we observe the faith walk of your servant David.
David has just confirmed with Jonathan that he's no longer going to be able to serve Saul, he's now on his own, and Saul is out to destroy him. David & Jonathan will remain committed friends, sharing an oath together before God, but will rarely encounter each other again. Jonathan will continue to obediently serve his father King Saul, who continues to rule Israel.
David is in exile, he's going to have to depend on the kindness of others, and on his own wits, in order to survive. That said David is God's man, God is on his side. We will see as we continue to look at the lives of David and Saul a great divide between the two, the one is seeking God's approval & the things of God, the other is seeking man's approval and the things of man.
1 Samuel 21 v1-9: David goes to the priest Ahimelech at Nob, when Ahimelech saw David alone he was afraid, I don't know why he was afraid except perhaps he feared that Saul might have sent David to harm him (perhaps 1 warrior alone would have been seen as an assassin). If this is the case, this might help explain why David lied to Ahimelech about why he was there, he may have been trying to protect Ahimelech from retribution from Saul. Ahimelech likely would have helped David even if he had told the truth, since David came there to inquire of the Lord (we'll learn this in chapter 22), in any case David isn't corrected by God so we must assume that this behavior was not condemned by God. Several weeks back we spoke of the need, when in war or in matters of national security, to either withhold information or provide misinformation. David is in essence at war with Saul, though the battle so far has not developed, but we will see quickly that Saul is definitely his enemy.
David asks the priest for bread, whatever is available; unfortunately, all that's available is the consecrated bread (bread of the Presence kept in the tabernacle). This bread (according to Leviticus 24:9) was only to be eaten by the priests; however, Ahimelech agrees to give it to David as long as he and his men are ceremonially clean. Later Jesus would teach about David to show how the ceremonial laws weren't to be held to legalistically; Jesus taught that it is always lawful to do good and to save life, to do so is in keeping with the spirit of the laws of God. (references Matthew 12:3-4 & Luke 6:9)
Another person is present at the tabernacle, Doeg an Edomite & herdsman who belonged to Saul, perhaps he's the reason David lied to Ahimelech. Doeg is paying attention to what is transpiring... keep this in mind because we're going to see him again.
Finally David asks for a weapon, and he's given the sword of Goliath - the giant he slew several chapters back. Apparently the sword had ended up in the care of the priests, and just when David needs a sword God has one ready for him. Normally priests wouldn't have weapons, so we can see the hand of God interceding for David.
1 Samuel 21 v10-15: David with Bread in his pack and armed with Goliath's sword heads (of all places) to Gath. Anyone remember the significance of Gath?
<Philistine territory, where Goliath was from.>
David has fled to enemy territory, preferring to be in the presence of the Philistines to being in the presence of Saul. Achish is informed by his servants that this is the "king" that the song is about, the one who has slain ten thousands - perhaps by this they also know he's the one that killed their warrior Goliath. David, realizing he's at risk, acts like a madman... behaving strangely & drooling all over himself... This tactic works, Achish thinks he's a madman & is dismissive of him.
Two Psalms go along with this passage, and we're going to read through them:
Psalm 56: The heading for this Psalm actually indicates that David had been captured by the men of Gath.
Psalm 34: The heading for this Psalm speaks of the time when David acted like a madman in the presence of Abimelech (not Ahimelech the priest) rather than Achish, but Abimelech is believed to be a title of the position of king to the Philistines, it translates something like "my father the king". So saying Abimelech would simply be saying "the Philistine king" rather than being more specific by saying "Achish the Philistine king".
1 Samuel 22 v1-5: David moves on to Adullam. I think its interesting that David's brothers come to his side, especially seeing their early treatment of him; however, time has had the opportunity to teach them lessons as well as David, and they wisely decide to join him. Many others in Israel were also in distress with Saul as king, apparently it wasn't just David who suffered, and enough joined with him that he had a force of 400 men serving him. Mind you this was 400 men, they also would have wives and children with them, as well as possibly flocks & herds, so David is suddenly the leader of a large nomadic people group.
David takes his entourage on to a stronghold, presumably somewhere near Mizpah of Moab (other side of the Dead Sea), and places his parents (who would be elderly at this time) in the care of the King of Moab for their well being. The implication of the passage is that they stayed with the king until David & his people left the area. How long David was in this area we don't really know, but we do know that he was told by a prophet of God named Gad that he should return to Judah, so he returns to Israel, to the Forest of Hereth.
1 Samuel 22 v6-15: Saul knows that people are siding with David, but in his usual fashion he blows things out of proportion. He exaggerates the numbers that are with David, and blames all those within hearing of conspiring against him. He even whines "not one of you is sorry for me", this would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic.
Doeg figures maybe he ought to fill in the king about what he saw at Nob (back in chapter 21), possibly to win favor with the king - after all he's a foreigner & likely the property of Saul. He tells Saul that he saw David with Ahimelech, that Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for David, gave David provisions & Goliath's sword.
I can almost see the steam coming out of Saul's ears, he doesn't like what he hears and demands that Ahimelech and all his family come see him immediately, which they do. Saul accuses Ahimelech of siding against him by giving David bread & a sword, and inquiring of God for him. I love Ahimelech's response, he reminds Saul who David is - Saul's most faithful servant & son-in-law, an honorable man, and one who regularly inquired of the Lord (this wasn't the first time)... Ahimelech begs mercy of Saul, claiming innocence regarding his behavior (and he was innocent - remember David lied).
1 Samuel 22 v16-23: How does Saul respond to a priest's claim of innocence & cries of mercy? He has him and his whole family killed. Its interesting that Saul's servants wouldn't carry out his order to kill the priest and his family, I'm guessing they were all Israelites & had a healthy respect for the priesthood & a healthy fear of God as well. It took Doeg, the Edomite (Edomites were known to be enemies of God's people) to do the dirty work... and "overkill" would be a good word for how Doeg handled things. Doeg killed the priests, 85 in all, but didn't stop there; he also killed all the people men/women/children/babies as well as all of the animals of the city of Nob.
One of Ahimelech's sons, Abiathar, escaped and ran to David, telling him what had transpired. David expresses grief & regret, he knew that Doeg would rat him out to Saul, and takes responsibility for the deaths. Abiathar is invited to stay with David's entourage & under his protection. I think its interesting that if Doeg would have told Saul everything that had happened, including the lies that David had told Ahimelech, that Ahimelech and his family might not have been killed... but Doeg is not a good guy.
Psalm 52: The heading of this Psalm makes it clear that Doeg is the bad guy, not only a "rat" but one that specifically told Saul just enough (a half truth) to cause Saul to burn with anger against the priest.
1 Samuel 23 v1-6: The city of Keilah is under attack, this is likely an Israelite city since it is being attacked by Philistines, they are being attacked at harvest time and the harvest is being stolen. David wants to help, that's his nature, but he doesn't presume; instead, he inquires of the Lord (most likely using the Urim & Thummim from Abiathar's ephod - Abiathar served as High Priest until removed by Solomon much later).
David was ready to go, but his men weren't so certain, so David inquired of the Lord once more (presumably for their sake), and the Lord said to go... They defeated the Philistines at Keilah and took possession of their livestock.
1 Samuel 23 v7-13: Uh-Oh, Saul gets word that David is at Keilah, he thinks he's got David trapped, and he heads out to besiege David & his men... David gets news that Saul is coming with his army and inquires of the Lord again... God indicates that Saul is coming and that the people of Keilah will hand him over if he stays, so David and his men (wisely) high-tail it out of there and head for the hills.
1 Samuel 23 v14-29: The wilderness area they inhabited is a rocky, hilly, arid region along the western shore of the Dead Sea. This area is rough terrain, riddled with caves, there would have been many places to hide and seek shelter, this would be relatively inaccessible, and would have been nearly impossible to track someone there. This is the same region where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for several hundreds of years. Can you imagine the difficulty of keeping their families with them at this point? It is possible that during this time they were forced to leave their families & flocks behind.
Who shows up at this time, a time of deep discouragement for David, but his best friend Jonathan... Jonathan came and encouraged David. But not everybody is happy to see David, the Ziphites rat out David's hiding place to Saul, and Saul gets them to provide intelligence on David's specific hiding spots. Soon David is on the run again, and I find it humorous (almost sounds like the stuff of silent movies) that David is keeping away from Saul by staying on the other side of the mountain from him. Just when it seems like Saul is going to overtake David what happens? God happens!! God used those pesky Philistines to invade Israel & cause Saul to move the army to fight their old enemies. David takes his men to the region of the city En Gedi, still within the area of strongholds, but En Gedi was known as an oasis of the area.
Psalm 63: This Psalm comes from the times of David living in the wilderness.
1 Samuel 24 v1-7: Saul needs to relieve himself, and what cave should he pick for his latrine but the cave occupied by David and some of his men. It may not be obvious the offense committed by David... what he did is cut off the hem (or part of the hem) of Saul's garment - I went to the hebrew for the text to verify that the word used though correctly translated as "a corner", for a garment it indicates the hem. The hem was a symbol of his authority (similar to the markings a military uniform today) - the hem of the garment could be pressed into wax, similar to pressing a signet ring, and the particular pattern would tell people who's hem it was. By cutting the hem David was symbolically cutting off Saul's authority, something he felt only God was authorized to do since God had anointed Saul as Israel's king. David restrained his men, who would have loved to end their wanderings by ending Saul's life, and Saul is allowed to finish his business & exit.
1 Samuel 24 v8-15: Imagine Saul's shock to be face to face with David, his sworn enemy, to see David bow down to him, to see David hold the hem of his robe, to realize that David could have taken his life with no trouble at all... and to be told in no uncertain terms that David has no intention of killing him. David puts the weight of the situation onto Saul's shoulders, saying in essence "your move"; however, in reality he puts the situation squarely on the shoulders of God, the best place to put it, and lets God be the one to judge, to protect, to defend.
1 Samuel 24 v16-22: Saul is moved by David's words and actions, he calls him "my son" and weeps. Saul admits that he has acted in an evil manner and David has repaid that evil with good. Saul again has temporarily had a change of heart regarding David, wishes him well, and agrees that the kingdom will be given to David. Interesting that though David is the one behaving in a trustworthy fashion it is Saul that want's the assurance of a covenant with David that his family will not be destroyed... David agrees, after all he's already agreed to this with Jonathan.
These two Psalms lament the stressful circumstances surrounding David's days of hiding:
Psalm 57 - a prayer for safety from enemies.
Psalm 142 - a plea for relief from persecutors.
Closing Prayer: Lord as we have looked at this passage we have seen the behavior of these two very different men. David takes purposeful action, seeking your will, but Saul simply reacts & attempts to push his own will. Lord help us to be men and women like David, who seek you even when hard pressed, always working to fulfill your will rather than our own.
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