Read 1 Samuel 22
David at Adullam and Mizpah
1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.
3 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” 4 So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold.
5 But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.
Saul Kills the Priests of Nob
6 Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul was seated, spear in hand, under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing at his side. 7 He said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8 Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.”
9 But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek son of Ahitub at Nob. 10 Ahimelek inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”
11 Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelek son of Ahitub and all the men of his family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.”
“Yes, my lord,” he answered.
13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?”
14 Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.”
16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”
17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”
But the king’s officials were unwilling to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord.
18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.
20 But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. 21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”
Go Deeper
Some of us are leaders and others are followers. God has lessons to share with both groups in today’s chapter. However, the chapter highlights the faithfulness of the followers.
When this chapter begins, David is fleeing from Saul and enters a cave. David’s family and hundreds of others meet him there. Many of them are in distress, debt or discontent (v. 2). They come to David seeking rest and guidance. They submit and follow him not because he is a perfect leader, but because they know God is with him. God was working through David despite David’s weakness. The first lesson for followers of God? Followers of God are not expected to follow perfect leaders. There are none. Many, like David, have significant flaws and make sinful errors. That does not mean we should neglect discernment or discount sin. But it does mean that followers should evaluate leaders for more than their past mistakes. The followers in today’s chapter do just that.
Saul’s servants are also in distress. Although they work for Saul, they ultimately answer to God. Because they fear God more than man, they protect and help David. Saul is enraged. Even though they feel pressure from Saul, Saul’s servants stay faithful to God. They know God is in control and has a plan. The second lesson for followers of God? Good followers remember God’s promises even in bad circumstances. They know that when their earthly boss (or any superior) forbids what God commands or commands what God forbids, then they are not bound to follow the orders of their boss.
God uses followers as part of His plan. Faithful followers submit to God and His plan. David Guzik, a pastor and author, says “God works through those called to lead but He also calls others to stand up with them and support those people.” Followers support the leaders God puts in their lives, no matter how flawed or how difficult it may be at the moment. Submission to God is where we find our strength and freedom. When we follow our own interests, we find our weaknesses and limitations.
Questions
- Reflect on Saul’s time as king so far. How has his lack of faith led to his downfall? What is different about David’s approach to leadership?
- What can you learn about the role of “followers” from this passage?
- What does this chapter say about God? How does it affect the way we view Him?
By the Way
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4 responses to “1 Samuel 22”
23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”
A classic, “the enemy of my enemy is my alley”!
There’s a compelling point to be made about the sin evidenced in Saul’s choices. Clearly he lost all sense of reason and gave into irrational ideas about David. He was driven to commit despicable acts affecting 85 priests and an entire town. What drives such heinous acts? Sadly, the same invisible enemy, Satan and his demons, who exist to kill, steal and destroy are influencers today. The father of lies will always compel us to follow our flesh and enslave us. We must be on guard with armor up, knowing Satan is no match for our God.
Even though David had messed up (with the bread and weapon) he owned his mistakes (1 Samuel 22:22). In reading the Psalm we get to see how David processed his thoughts. He turns to God and lays out where he did wrong. He ask God to help and gives Him the glory!! David ask specfically for what he thinks would be good but he is also willing to say not my will but thine be done. We can use this to know that when we think God’s timing is off, go back to Him and discuss things. Patience is a hard lesson to contiually learn BUT GOD!!!
God thank You for Your plans being the best. Thank Yo for ears to hear with a heart to obey. God even when, I do not see You, thank You for how You remind me You are there. Verse 3 in Psalm 57 says God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. Verse 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. You, God are steadfast in Your faithfulness. God let me breath You in second by second, today. Thank You for eyes to see Your people, ears to hear Your voice and a body willing to follow what You need me to do in these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Full dependence on God will deliver you from your enemies.