Day 88

David the Fugitive

Read: 1 Samuel 21-23

Realizing his life is in jeopardy, David flees from Saul. First he goes to the priest Ahimelech at Nob. He and the men with him are desperately hungry and eat the bread which was kept in the holy place of the tabernacle. Jesus later used this as an argument in favor of his disciples eating heads of grain they picked on the Sabbath day. The point is that human need in such situations takes precedence over legalistic requirements.

David flees to Achish, king of Gath, and when he hears that Achish is ready to kill him, he makes believe that he is insane and thus escapes. He then goes to the cave of Adullam where he gathers a band of malcontents into a small army.

When David hears that the Philistines are attacking the town of Keilah, he seeks to know if it is God’s will that he should fight against them. He rescues the people of Keilah but again inquires of the Lord and finds out that they would betray him into the hands of Saul. He inquires of the Lord this time through the priest Abiathar who is now with him. The priest had a breastplate with a pocket containing the Urim and Thummin, a device for finding out what answer God would give. So David flees into the wilderness.

This was a difficult time in the life of David. He had previously held a high place in Saul’s household. Later he would be king, but now as a fugitive the going is rough.

PRAYER
Father, when difficult times come in our lives, give us special grace to deal with them. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.