DBG - April 5 - I Samuel 22-24

In this chapter Saul commits the worst crime of his reign.

vs. 1-2 – David is hiding in Judah.  The region is hilly, arid, and sparsely populated.  Others that have fallen out with Saul rally to him.  This nucleus of 400 men will grow and become the backbone of his army. 

vs. 3-5 – David seeks refuge for his parents in Moab.  Remember that Jesse is Ruth the Moabitess’s grandson.  Perhaps there is some family loyalty they are able to rely on.  David was told not to stay in a foreign land and he returned to Judah.

vs. 6-19 – Doeg the Edomite tells Saul of the aid the priests gave David.  Saul calls the priests to come and defend their actions before him.  Ahimelech the High Priest pleads ignorance.  This is true since David had lied to him and he did not know of the division between Saul and David.  Saul demands the priests be killed but no Israelite will do it.  Doeg has no such qualms and murders on the unarmed priests.  Though not recorded here, the attack seems to include a raid on the Tabernacle at Nob.  This would help explain the death of the Gibeonites mentioned in II Samuel 21. 

vs. 20-23 – Abiathar (“father of abundance”) was the son of the High Priest.  He did not go with his father to stand before Saul, probably left to tend to the services at the Tabernacle.  He escaped Doeg’s attack and sought refuge with David.  He becomes the High Priest and brings with him the High Priest’s ephod, which includes the Urim and Thummim.  David can now easily inquire of the Lord for direction.

In this chapter David being betrayed twice and narrowly escaping Saul.

vs. 1-14 – David leaves his refuge to aid the people of Keilah (“fortress”) that had been besieged by the Philistines.  The people fail to show their gratitude and send word to Saul that David was there.  David and his band, now numbering 600, escape and remain on the run from Saul. 

vs. 15-18 – It is funny that Saul cannot find David, but Jonathan can.  They two meet for the last time.

vs. 19-29 – David is again betrayed, this time by the people of Ziph (“battlement”).  Saul pursues David and is on the brink of catching him.  They were on opposite sides of a hill, and Saul’s men had almost encircled David.  A messenger arrives with a report that the Philistines had invaded.  Saul’s absence and distraction had probably prompted the invasion, but he makes the right choice here and leaves his pursuit of David to attack the Philistines.  The name of the hill is then known as Sela-Hammahlekoth (“cliff of divisions”).  David escapes south to the edge of the Dead Sea at En-gedi (“fount of the kid”).

In this chapter David refuses to attack Saul when given the chance.

vs. 1-15 – David is betrayed again and Saul comes with 3,000 men to hunt for him at En-gedi.  Saul goes into a cave to “cover his feet”.  This idiom means refers to a person covering themselves as they sleep.  Some try to interpret it to mean going to the bathroom, but the details when the phrase is used do not allow that.  Anyway, the cave Saul is in just happens to be the same one that David is hiding in.  David refuses to attack Saul, but he does sneak up on him and cut off the bottom of his robe.  After Saul wakes and leaves David reveals himself and shows what he has done.  It is quite the contrast.  Saul would do anything to kill David, but David is remorseful at even embarrassing the king. 

vs. 16-22 – Saul is moved by David’s actions and words.  He admits in vs. 20 what everyone knows: that David will be the future king.  You can tell how much David trusts Saul’s change of attitude because he did not follow Saul home.  David goes back on the run.

One of the most wonderful things about studying these passages is that we have insight into David’s heart and mind through the psalms that he wrote.  The structure of reading the Bible through in a year does not allow for us to jump constantly between books. According to Reese’s Chronological Bible, there are 14 psalms written during the events of these chapters: 7, 13, 34, 35, 52, 54, 56, 57, 63, 86,140, 141, 142, and 143.  Some of these are expressions of David’s despair, but others are of his utter confidence in the Lord.  It is refreshing to be able to see the human side of David as he, like us, questions God’s direction.  We can gain strength by following his spiritual journey of faith. 

Our hymn today is “All in Debt or In Distress” by John Berridge (1716-1793).  It begins with men that sought refuge with David and likens them to our seeking refuge in Christ.

All in debt, or in distress,
Discontented more or less,
All who would protection have,
Post away to David’s cave.

All who find their sinful debt
Deep and deeper growing yet;
All who have been Satan’s tool –
Much his madman or his fool;

All who discontented are,
Full of guilt and full of fear;
Every soul who would not die,
Unto Jesus’ cave must fly.

Jesus all your debts will pay;
Chase your legal duns away;
Every foe he will subdue –
World, and flesh, and devil too.

Haste, and seek the Saviour’s face;
Rise, and bless him for his grace;
To his scornèd cave repair;
He will wash and feast you there.