Adults STS Lesson 215 DAVID FLEES FROM SAUL
MEMORY VERSE: “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand” (1 Samuel 23:14).
TEXT: 1 Samuel chapters 21 to 23
Our texts reveal God working inexorably to protect and preserve David until the day of his coronation and elevation to the throne. He recalled his travail during this period in one of the psalms: “They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love” (Psalm 109:3-5). Chased by a furious and determined enemy, David decided to relocate across the border for safety in a strange land because Saul had recorded several humiliating misses and was not going to give up the hunt.
David’s experience with Saul underscores the possibility of persecution of the righteous, and having to endure misunderstandings, misrepresentations and hatred on the way to heaven. Truly, “many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19). Believers need not forget that the devil is always seeking to abort the plan of God for His people. Therefore, Christians must be prayerful and watchful at all times (1 Corinthians 16:9,13; 1 Peter 5:8,9). Here, David took some practical steps towards ensuring his safety.
- DAVID FLEES TO NOB AND GATH (1 Samuel 21:1-15; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalms 46:1; 9:9; 37:39; Matthew 12:3,4; Mark 2:25-27; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Romans 8:28)
David wandered about after parting ways with Jonathan, his bosom friend. It began with his flight to Nob where he had an encounter with Ahimelech, the priest. He had to run away from Saul’s fury because neither Samuel, the prophet nor Jonathan, the king’s son could protect him. The Scripture concludes: “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man” (Psalm 60:11). We are to look up to God at all times and under all circumstances. The assurance that He is always ready and available to intervene on our behalf takes away fear, unbelief and discouragement.
On sighting David, Ahimelech the priest enquired why he had come. David’s reply that, “The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place” (1 Samuel 21:2) was a lie. He wanted to obtain his requests under pretence. Since Ahimelech was a true priest of God, he could still have granted David’s request if he heard the truth about his plight and flight from danger. So, there was no reason for him to tell lies. Believers cannot point to David’s example to justify untruth; Christ is our perfect Example in every situation and under all circumstances.
“Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul…” (1 Samuel 21:7-9). While David and Ahimelech exchanged pleasantries, Doeg watched. As the chief of Saul’s herdsmen, he appeared responsible and harmless but deadly. His report, which stoked the fire of Saul’s hatred for David was not surprising, judging by his pedigree as an Edomite. Edom (Esau) was an avowed enemy of the united nation of Israel (Ezekiel 35:3-5).
Aside eating bread for sustenance, “David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste” (1 Samuel 21:8). Armed with bread and sword, David fled to Gath. His flight from a perceived danger was in order (Proverbs 22:3). Jesus teaches that believers should endure persecution, but in life-threatening situations, He said, “when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another…” (Matthew 10:23). While in the court of Achish, and already traumatised by fear, David deduced from the unfolding events that his life was not safe there. Without thinking of the divine presence, he resorted to self-management and feigned madness in order to escape death. No doubt, David made many blunders while suffering. He told a lie and dramatised deceit out of fear to have his way (1 Samuel 21:2,8,12,13). Heaven-minded believers must never copy the failure, backsliding or blemishes of any Bible character. Christ our Lord, the Author and Finisher of our faith, is our Model (1 Peter 2:21-23).
In His sovereignty, God sometimes permits contrary circumstances to come the believer’s way to test his faith and faithfulness, as well as to bring glory to His name. It is certain that obstacles and difficulties cannot hinder the word and purpose of God from being fulfilled. Joseph, Daniel, the three Hebrew children and the apostles suffered for righteousness’ sake yet, they came out stronger. David would learn from his trials that his one-time victory over the Philistines was an insufficient credential that would make him ascend the throne of Israel. He would have to depend absolutely on God to deliver him from internal and external foes. In spite of our present challenges as believers, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28).
- DEATH OF THE PRIESTS AT NOB THROUGH SAUL
(1 Samuel 22:1-23; 21:7; Psalms 142:1-5; 57:1-11; Proverbs 6:18,19; Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 27:20-25)
Due to King Saul’s relentless pursuit and determination to kill him, “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave of Adullam…” (1 Samuel 22:1).
The name ‘Adullam’ means refuge. It was located within the territory of Judah, not far from Israel’s border with Philistia, but between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. David must have found safety in this place. The location also afforded him the opportunity to rue his predicament, meditate on the ways of God and pour out his heart before Him. It is believed that the contents of Psalms 57:1-11 and 142:1-7 were penned in the cave of Adullam. This affirmed that the perplexing situation drew him to seek refuge in God (Psalm 142:2,4,5). When we appear helpless, hopeless and disappointed, we can always find refuge in God. Secondly, the situation afforded David opportunity to wait on the Lord for strength, encouragement and victory. It enabled him to reflect on his past dealings, pray and possibly repent of his sin of lying to Ahimelech. Thirdly, with much more sublime and noble exercise of humility, he was able to seek God’s face (Psalm 57:1). Finally, it was time to praise the Lord for past deliverances while trusting Him for future help (Psalm 57:5,11).
The situation in Israel worsened under Saul to the point that “every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto [David]; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men” (1 Samuel 22:2). These were people negatively affected under Saul’s tyranny. Also, they perceived that David was being unjustly hounded and decided to switch loyalty to him with hope for a better future. Dreading their fate, David’s family also fled their homes to join him (Proverbs 29:2). The categories of people who resorted to him can be likened to the general state of humanity. Men and women without the grace of Christ are distressed, disoriented and discontented. As David received these people and became captain over them, giving them protection, purpose and direction in life, the Son of David is ready to receive distressed, sinning souls who He will transform, train and commission for Kingdom service. David’s effort to transfer his aged parents to a secure location is also worthy of emulation.
“And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth” (1 Samuel 22:5). Gad forewarned David to relocate from his stronghold. This counsel was definitely one of God’s ways to test and make him exercise faith, wisdom and courage in Him in preparation for the kingdom. The ministry of true prophets of God is indispensable for the health, growth and safety of the flock of Christ. They are needed in the church to teach, warn and provide direction (Ephesians 4:11,12).
With a feeling of self-pity, Saul accused his aides of treason and disloyalty. He alleged: “…all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” (1 Samuel 22:8). This suggests that many of his servants were not in agreement with him in the matter of David. They knew how David risked his life for the nation. Saul combined worldly wisdom, politics and tribal sentiment to get information about David and Jonathan, his own son. He asked the people if a man from Judah would favour the tribe of Benjamin with riches. He became emotional and insinuated that the people were unfaithful for conspiring against him. Doeg did a dirty job and indicted Ahimelech the priest to be David’s accomplice who gave him Goliath’s sword to fight against Saul. His action led to the destruction of the city of priests. A sinner in God’s service will do much harm.
Ahimelech pleaded his innocence: “for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more”. However, backslidden and demon-inspired Saul did not care for his reason; rather, he rashly passed a sentence of death on him and his household. Doeg, willing to please his master at all costs, carried out the king’s order and murdered eighty-five priests of the Lord. The vengeful king, not satisfied with this, went ahead to treat the innocent city of Nob as an enemy territory. “And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword” (1 Samuel 22:19). Only Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, escaped the massacre. David lamented the death of all persons in the priestly lineage of Ahimelech (1 Samuel 22:22). Human life is sacred; all who kill incur divine wrath (Proverbs 11:21).
- DOING GOD’S WILL SELFLESSLY WITH WATCHFULNESS (1 Samuel 23:1-29; Proverbs 3:5,6; 18:24; Job 4:4; Isaiah 35:3,4; Hebrews 12:12,13)
While still hiding in the cave of Adullam, David was informed of the Philistines’ invasion of Keilah. He took time to enquire from God whether to intervene and deliver them or not. God gave His nod for the rescue of the inhabitants of Keilah and David mobilised his foot soldiers for the battle. If he had delayed further, the people of Keilah would have been destroyed. Likewise, believers should not delay to rescue those appointed to eternal death. We should lay our hands on the Sword of the Spirit and begin to rescue the perishing.
Jonathan’s visit to David at his trying time speaks volumes about genuine love among the brethren (1 Samuel 23:17). The words we speak to the brethren at their trying times matter a lot. Jonathan spoke words that allayed his fears: words of affirmation of divine purpose for him and Israel. Jonathan’s love and humble submission to the will of God are proofs of a sanctified heart which every believer needs. Our Lord prayed and sacrificed His life for the sanctification of heaven-bound believers.
“Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood… Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand” (1 Samuel 23:19,20). The Ziphites who were of the same tribe of Judah with David were supposed to protect and assist him in time of his travail. But they betrayed him. It was in the expectation of deliverance after the Ziphites’ betrayal that David prayed in Psalm 54:1-7: “Save me, O God, by thy name… Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul… Behold, God is mine helper… I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble…” Believers need to imbibe these godly attitudes of praying, praising and trusting God for deliverance in times of betrayal.
Saul came close to capturing David (1 Samuel 23:26-28). But God, in His providence, delivered him by allowing Saul to hear news of invasion of the Philistines which made him to suspend the manhunt for David abruptly. God’s hands are indeed not short to deliver His people from trouble (Isaiah 59:1). Thus, David’s prayer (Psalm 54) was answered fully and serves as an encouragement to believers in distressing situations. He says, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). God will always make a way out of every difficult situation for His children at the right time. He is never late.
Questions for review:
1: What can believers learn from Saul’s attempts to get rid of David?
2: Why should believers be careful in engaging sinners in their household duties?
3: From the text, mention some blunders David made that believers must avoid.
4: What can we learn from the categories of people who resorted to David?
5: From the example of Saul’s servants, what should be the believer’s attitude to ungodly instructions and errands?
6: What should believers do before taking important steps in life?
7: What can we learn from the way Jonathan visited David at his most trying time?
