02 April

Bible in 365 Days

1 Samuel 21-24                        

1 Samuel 21

Under such trying stress, the land itself seemed too hot to hold David, and he takes refuge in flight. The story of his period of exile, with its varied experiences, follows. His movements during this time were characterized sometimes by faith and sometimes by fear.

He first found his way to the city of the priests, where Ahimelech fed him with the shewbread, the justification of which, interestingly enough, was declared long after by our Lord Himself in the days of His ministry. David's going to Ahimelech, although an exile, was an action of faith.

We next find him at Gath among the Philistines, with Achish their king. It is impossible to read this without feeling how unworthy a picture he presents. Whereas it is easy to understand his state of mind at the time, it remains true that the picture of God's anointed reduced to the necessity of feigning madness to protect himself is full of sadness. It affords a perpetual warning against the folly of taking refuge from peril among those who are the enemies of God.

1 Samuel 22

Leaving Gath, David took refuge in the cave of Adullam, where there gathered to him a band of the outcasts of his own people. They are graphically described as those in "distress," in "debt," and "discontented." It is quite possible that the condition of these people was the, result of the oppressions they had suffered under Saul. In any case, from the standpoint of Saul's reign, they were considered dangerous people, and were outcast. What happened to them in their contact with David is revealed in the later history, when these men became the mighty men of the new kingdom. So far as David was concerned, this was a far safer position, and a worthier occupation than that to which he had been reduced in the court of Achish.

In the meanwhile Saul filled the cup of his iniquity by ordering the slaughter of the priests because Ahimelech had helped David. One of their number, Abiathar, escaped from the slaughter, and joined David in his hiding place. It is interesting to remember that he remained with David, and was loyal to him throughout his life and reign.

All these experiences of David, both in fear and in faith, experiences as they were of adversity and trial, were undoubtedly preparing him for the responsibilities that were to fall upon him when, in fulfilment of the divine purpose, he became king of the nation.

1 Samuel 23

The series of happenings recorded in this chapter reveals most vividly the appalling condition of affairs in the kingdom.

Saul, still nominally king, filled with hatred for David, was devoting all his strength to persecuting David; while the affairs of the nation were becoming more and more involved in hopeless confusion.

While David in exile was almost certainly the popular idol of the people, their fickleness was manifested in the mean treachery of both the Keilites and the Ziphites, who were prepared to maintain favor with Saul by delivering up David to him.

David, with the spirit of true patriotism burning in his heart, waged war successfully against the Philistines, the enemies of the nation. It is evident, however, that his exile and persecution were telling on him, and nervous fear was growing in his heart. Nevertheless, his trust in God remained unshaken, and he appealed to God in his hour of trouble.

The most beautiful incident of this period is the meeting of David and Jonathan in the wood. It was their last meeting, and it manifested that Jonathan's love for David was as strong as ever. Jonathan was firmly convinced that David must eventually become king; and, looking forward to when this should be, he attested his willingness to take second place in the kingdom.

1 Samuel 24

At last Saul was in David's power. It would have been perfectly easy for him to have taken his life. He did not do so, but, withholding his hand, uttered a strong protest against Saul's persecution. There is the passion of the true poet in the wording of the protest, and the changing moods of the human heart are manifest as it proceeds. Beginning with the judicial statement of his innocence of all evil intention, he merged into pleading tones in which memories of old and happier days are evident. These tones, however, almost immediately changed into accents of agony as he declared that Jehovah would avenge him, but that he himself would not lay a hand on Saul. He finally appealed scornfully to the king that he should spend time and strength upon hunting him, one lonely man. The degeneracy of Saul was manifest in the weak and maudlin sentiment with which he addressed David.