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People Join David
1 When David escaped from the town of Gath, he went to Adullam Cave. His brothers and the rest of his family found out where he was, and they followed him there. 2A lot of other people joined him too. Some were in trouble, others were angry or in debt, and David was soon the leader of 400 men.
3David left Adullam Cave and went to the town of Mizpeh in Moab, where he talked with the king of Moab. “Please,” David said, “let my father and mother stay with you until I find out what God will do with me.” 4So he brought his parents to the king of Moab, and they stayed with him while David was in hiding.
5One day the prophet Gad told David, “Don't stay here! Go back to Judah.” David then left and went to Hereth Forest.
Saul Kills the Priests
6Saul was sitting under a small tree on top of the hill at Gibeah when he heard that David and his men had been located. Saul was holding his spear, and his officers were standing in front of him. 7He told them:
Listen to me! You belong to the Benjamin tribe, so if that son of Jesse ever becomes king, he won't give you fields or vineyards. He won't make you officers in charge of thousands or hundreds as I have done. 8But you're all plotting against me! Not one of you told me that my own son Jonathan had made an agreement with him. Not one of you cared enough to tell me that Jonathan had helped one of my officers rebel. Now that son of Jesse is trying to ambush me.
9 Doeg the Edomite was standing with the other officers and spoke up, “When I was in the town of Nob, I saw that son of Jesse. He was visiting the priest Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10Ahimelech talked to the Lord for him, then gave him food and the sword that had belonged to Goliath the Philistine.”
11Saul sent a message to Ahimelech and his whole family of priests at Nob, ordering them to come to him. When they came, 12Saul told them, “Listen to me, you son of Ahitub.”
“Certainly, Your Majesty,” Ahimelech answered.
13Saul demanded, “Why did you plot against me with that son of Jesse? You helped him rebel against me by giving him food and a sword, and by talking with God for him. Now he's trying to ambush me!”
14“Your Majesty, none of your officers is more loyal than David!” Ahimelech replied. “He's your son-in-law and the captain of your bodyguard. Everyone in your family respects him. 15This isn't the first time I've talked with God for David, and it's never made you angry before! Please don't accuse me or my family like this. I have no idea what's going on!”
16“Ahimelech,” Saul said, “you and your whole family are going to die.”
17Saul shouted to his bodyguards, “These priests of the Lord helped David! They knew he was running away, but they didn't tell me. Kill them!”
But the king's officers would not attack the priests of the Lord.
18Saul turned to Doeg, who was from Edom, and said, “Kill the priests!”
On that same day, Doeg killed 85 priests. 19Then he attacked the town of Nob, where the priests had lived, and he killed everyone there—men, women, children, and babies. He even killed their cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
Only Abiathar Escapes
20Ahimelech's son Abiathar was the only one who escaped. He ran to David 21and told him, “Saul has murdered the Lord's priests at Nob!”
22David answered, “That day when I saw Doeg, I knew he would tell Saul! Your family died because of me. 23Stay here. Isn't the same person trying to kill both of us? Don't worry! You'll be safe here with me.”
Reflect
We’ve all have bad days, and times when we try to run from our problems. But the last time I pulled the blankets over my head in an effort to avoid the coming day, I didn’t wish for hundreds of people to join me.
When David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam, his brothers and all his other relatives joined him. In addition to his family, 400 men followed in his tracks. These men weren’t out to kill him; the Bible states that these men like David were running from their problems. “… men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented.” (1 Samuel 22:2)
Not only does misery love company – it attracts company.
And just when we think God is the furthest away, he’s the closest. God may not show up himself at our low point; oftentimes he sends a person or in David’s case, many people. God could have sent priests David’s way, but instead he chose men that one day would serve and defend this future king.
God knows our every need and He knows our situation; we are lost without him intervening in our lives. Jesus promises in John 14:15-17 that he will send someone to support us – one that will never leave us and who will lead us into truth. “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth…”
Today consider giving your life and your situation over to God. He knows what’s best.
Respond
Dear Father God,
Thank you that you always have my highest good in mind. Help me not to run from my problems but to trust you to intervene in your way and in your time. I give my situation over to you and let your have full control. Let me rest in your sovereignty. Amen.
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall and his wife Keli joined The Gideons as members in 2002. It was a calling by God to reach the lost with His Word. Peterʼs call to serve the Lord overshadowed his daily life in business and he desired more than just part-time ministry. In 2006, Peter and Keli sold their business and Peter joined The Gideons Home Office staff. Since that time he has served in numerous positions, being promoted to Executive Director in August 2011.