In this lesson, we see some more exciting times for David and Saul. Although David could probably defeat Saul in a fair fight, David is running from Saul. Poor Ahimelech, the priest, helps out David and his men by giving them the holy bread. He is also given the sword he took from Goliath after he killed him. Unfortunately, Saul’s chief herdsman, Doeg the Edomite, witnesses all of this and tattles to Saul. In the meantime, David escapes to Gath where he fools King Achish in thinking he is mad.
David’s brothers, his other relatives, and other men in trouble join David when he leaves Gath and goes to the cave of Adullam. A force of 400 men with David as their leader is a force to be reckoned with.
Saul is getting more and more troubled and out of control. He sends for Ahimelech and all his family and has Doeg the Edomite kill them since his own men will not. He even went to where the priests lived and killed the families and livestock.
Abiathar, one of Ahimelech’s sons, escapes and finds David. David felt he was to blame for the death of the man’s family and offered him protection.
It is clear that David consulted the Lord about what he should do and how he should act. His band had grown to 600 men and they were a powerful fighting force. They rescued the city of Keilah and were re-paid by being betrayed.
Jonathan and David renew their pact and Jonathan verbally acknowledges that David will be king in Saul’s place.
How differently does David act compared to Saul! When David could have killed Saul, he instead cut a piece of Saul’s robe – and felt badly about doing even that. He would not attack Saul, the Lord’s anointed one, because the Lord himself had chose Saul. When David reveals this to Saul, Saul cries and says that he knows David is going to be king. He stops chasing him, but David goes back to his stronghold.
Tomorrow, it’s Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, and 52.
Until next time…
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