1 Samuel 22:1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. 1 Samuel 22:2 Also, every man who was desperate, in debt, or had a bitter throat rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. 1 Samuel 22:3 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I know what God will do for me.” 1 Samuel 22:4 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. 1 Samuel 22:5 Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Don’t stay in the stronghold. Leave and return to the land of Judah.” So, David left and went to the forest of Hereth.
better times
After a pitiful chapter in which David kept acting according to the flesh, we finally see him acting more like the man of God that he was. It is embarrassing to have times when we fail the Lord and each other. We don’t like to remember such times. We would much rather remember the times when we stood up for the truth and protected others, led people faithfully, and were sensitive to the guidance of God’s servants. Such was the time described by today’s text. But the Sacred Scriptures reveal both sides of David’s character. They speak the truth, even when the truth embarrasses us.
1 Samuel 21:10 David fled that day from Saul’s presence and went to King Achish of Gath. 1 Samuel 21:11 But Achish’s servants said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Don’t they sing about him during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?” 1 Samuel 21:12 David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath, 1 Samuel 21:13 so he pretended to be insane in their presence. He acted like a madman around them, scribbling on the doors of the city gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 1 Samuel 21:14 “Notice! You can see the man is crazy,” Achish said to his servants. “Why did you bring him to me? 1 Samuel 21:15 Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house?”
plan backfired
David lies at the beginning of this story, and he keeps lying here by pretending to be insane. He is learning that even if he is a believer in God, he can get himself into a lot of trouble by relying upon his own devices. His escape plan backfired. Many of our plans will also backfire if we depend on the arm of flesh instead of seeking God’s deliverance.
1 Samuel 21:1 David went to the priest Ahimelech at Nob. Ahimelech was afraid to meet David, so he said to him, “Why are you alone and no one is with you?” 1 Samuel 21:2 David answered the priest Ahimelech, “The king gave me a mission, but he told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything about the mission I’m sending you on or what I have ordered you to do.’ I have stationed my boys at a certain place. 1 Samuel 21:3 Now what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever can be found.” 1 Samuel 21:4 The priest told him, “There is no ordinary bread on hand. However, there is consecrated bread, but the boys may eat it only if they have kept themselves from women.” 1 Samuel 21:5 David answered him, “I swear that women are being kept from us, as always when I go out to battle. The boys’ bodies are consecrated even on an ordinary mission, so of course their bodies are consecrated today.” 1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, for there was no bread there except the Bread of the Presence that had been removed from the presence of Yahveh. When the bread was removed, it had been replaced with warm bread. 1 Samuel 21:7 One of Saul’s servants, detained before Yahveh, was there that day. His name was Doeg the Edomite, chief of Saul’s shepherds. 1 Samuel 21:8 David said to Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword on hand? I didn’t even bring my sword or my weapons since the king’s mission was urgent.” 1 Samuel 21:9 The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah – notice — is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.” “There’s none like it!” David said. “Give it to me.”
Why are you alone?
Ahimelech was right to ask that question, and David’s answer was a lie. He should have told the truth and trusted God’s priest to help him anyway. But David will learn through experiences like those in this chapter that honesty is the best means of protection.
1 Samuel 20:35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the countryside for the appointed meeting with David. A young boy was with him. 1 Samuel 20:36 He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I’m shooting.” As the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. 1 Samuel 20:37 He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, “The arrow is beyond you, isn’t it?” 1 Samuel 20:38 Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don’t stop!” Jonathan’s boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 1 Samuel 20:39 He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. 1 Samuel 20:40 Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.” 1 Samuel 20:41 When the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell facedown to the ground, and paid homage three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more. 1 Samuel 20:42 Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of Yahveh when we said: Yahveh will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.
time to leave
David understood Jonathan’s signal. It was time for him to leave. For his own safety and to avoid the shame that his death at the hands of Saul would bring to Israel, David had to make himself scarce.
I may be writing this to a reader who feels that leaving is your only safe option. Don’t be ashamed of seeking safety if you are in danger. Don’t allow a toxic relationship to come to violence. There may be hope for restoration later, but if you must separate from a dangerous situation for you or your children, go with God.
1 Samuel 20:24 So David hid in the countryside. At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. 1 Samuel 20:25 He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David’s place was empty. 1 Samuel 20:26 Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean — yes, that’s it, he is unclean.” 1 Samuel 20:27 However, the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn’t Jesse’s son come to the meal either yesterday or today?” 1 Samuel 20:28 Jonathan answered, “David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem. 1 Samuel 20:29 He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor with you, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn’t come to the king’s table.” 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother? 1 Samuel 20:31 Each day Jesse’s son lives in the land you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me — he must die!” 1 Samuel 20:32 Jonathan answered his father back: “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?” 1 Samuel 20:33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David. 1 Samuel 20:34 He got up from the table fiercely angry and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father’s shameful behavior toward David.
Jonathan was grieved
Before you take action, think about the consequences of your action for your children or other family members. Jonathan was grieved because of the shameful behavior of Saul toward his friend David. Some Christian parents live in regret because their behavior has turned their children away from the church and the Lord. Watch your life. Others are.
1 Samuel 20:1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my throat?” 1 Samuel 20:2 Jonathan said to him, “No, you won’t die. Notice, my father doesn’t do anything, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This can’t be true.” 1 Samuel 20:3 But David said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor with you. He has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.'” David also swore, “As surely as Yahveh lives and as your throat lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 1 Samuel 20:4 Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” 1 Samuel 20:5 So David told him, “Notice, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I’m supposed to sit down and eat with the king. Instead, let me go, and I’ll hide in the countryside for the next two nights. 1 Samuel 20:6 If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to go quickly to his hometown Bethlehem for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.’ 1 Samuel 20:7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he becomes angry, you will know he has evil intentions. 1 Samuel 20:8 Deal kindly with your servant, because you have brought me into a covenant with you before Yahveh. If I have done anything wrong, then kill me yourself; why take me to your father?” 1 Samuel 20:9 “No!” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn’t I tell you about it?” 1 Samuel 20:10 So David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?” 1 Samuel 20:11 He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the countryside.” So, both of them went out to the countryside. 1 Samuel 20:12 “By Yahveh, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. Notice, if I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you? 1 Samuel 20:13 If my father intends to bring evil on you, may God punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may leave safely. May Yahveh be with you, just as he was with my father. 1 Samuel 20:14 If I continue to live, show me kindness from Yahveh, but if I die, 1 Samuel 20:15 don’t ever withdraw your kindness from my household — not even when Yahveh cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the land.” 1 Samuel 20:16 Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May Yahveh hold David’s enemies accountable.” 1 Samuel 20:17 Jonathan once again swore to David in his care for him, because he cared for him as he cared for his own throat. 1 Samuel 20:18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon; you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty. 1 Samuel 20:19 The following day hurry down and go to the place where you hid on the day this incident began and stay beside the boulder Ezel. 1 Samuel 20:20 I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I’m aiming at a target. 1 Samuel 20:21 Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go and find the arrows! ‘ Now, if I expressly say to the boy, ‘Notice, the arrows are on this side of you– get them,’ then come, because as Yahveh lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem. 1 Samuel 20:22 But if I say this to the youth, ‘Notice, the arrows are beyond you!’ then go, for Yahveh is sending you away. 1 Samuel 20:23 As for the matter you and I have spoken about, Notice, Yahveh will be a witness between you and me forever.”
anger separates
Jonathan had not forgotten that his father wanted David killed, but he had persuaded him to take back his vow. But David knew that Saul’s anger was not going to go away. Jonathan needed a little more convincing. When he saw Saul’s fierce anger, venting not only at David but at Jonathan himself (giving him the end of the spear) – he knew David had to run. It was terrible having to choose between having your friend and remaining loyal to your father. Anger does that to families. Even if no violence takes place, a person’s anger can separate friends and harm relationships.
LORD, help us to control our feelings. Help us to realize the harm that they are doing.
1 Samuel 19:8 When war broke out again, David went out and fought against the Philistines. He defeated them with such great force that they ran from him. 1 Samuel 19:9 Now an evil breath sent from Yahveh came on Saul as he was sitting in his palace holding a spear. David was playing the lyre, 1 Samuel 19:10 and Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear. As the spear struck the wall, David eluded Saul, ran away, and escaped that night. 1 Samuel 19:11 Saul sent agents to David’s house to watch for him and kill him in the morning. But his wife Michal warned David, “If you don’t save your throat tonight, you will be dead tomorrow!” 1 Samuel 19:12 So she lowered David from the window, and he fled and escaped. 1 Samuel 19:13 Then Michal took the household idol and put it on the bed, placed some goat hair on its head, and covered it with a garment. 1 Samuel 19:14 When Saul sent agents to seize David, Michal said, “He’s sick.” 1 Samuel 19:15 Saul sent the agents back to see David and said, “Bring him on his bed so I can kill him.” 1 Samuel 19:16 When the agents arrived, to their surprise, the household idol was on the bed with some goat hair on its head. 1 Samuel 19:17 Saul asked Michal, “Why did you deceive me like this? You sent my enemy away, and he has escaped!” She answered him, “He said to me, ‘Let me go! Why should I kill you? ‘” 1 Samuel 19:18 So David fled and escaped and went to Samuel at Ramah and told him everything Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel left and stayed at Naioth. 1 Samuel 19:19 When it was reported to Saul that (notice) David was at Naioth in Ramah, 1 Samuel 19:20 he sent agents to seize David. However, when they saw the group of prophets prophesying with Samuel leading them, the Breath of God came on Saul’s agents, and they also started prophesying. 1 Samuel 19:21 When they reported to Saul, he sent other agents, and they also began prophesying. So, Saul tried again and sent a third group of agents, and even they began prophesying. 1 Samuel 19:22 Then Saul himself went to Ramah. He came to the large cistern at Secu and asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Notice, at Naioth in Ramah,” someone said. 1 Samuel 19:23 So he went to Naioth in Ramah. The Breath of God also came on him, and as he walked along, he prophesied until he entered Naioth in Ramah. 1 Samuel 19:24 Saul then removed his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel; he collapsed and lay naked all that day and all that night. That is why they say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”
behind the scenes
The powerful Holy Spirit is at work behind the scenes of David’s life protecting him from harm, because God has a purpose for his life. This is seen in…
Jonathan’s intercession (1-7) David eluding Saul’s spear (8-10) Michal letting him escape by a rope, and her deception of her father’s “messengers” (11-17) The people overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit when they sought David’s life (18-24). LORD, thank you for the protecting power of your Holy Spirit.
1 Samuel 19:1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much, 1 Samuel 19:2 so he told him: “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning and hide in a secret place and stay there. 1 Samuel 19:3 I’ll go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are and talk to him about you. When I see what he says, I’ll tell you.” 1 Samuel 19:4 Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. He said to him: “The king should not sin against his servant David. He hasn’t sinned against you; in fact, his actions have been a great benefit to you. 1 Samuel 19:5 He took his throat in his hand when he struck down the Philistine, and Yahveh brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” 1 Samuel 19:6 Saul listened to Jonathan’s voice and swore an oath: “As surely as Yahveh lives, David will not be killed.” 1 Samuel 19:7 So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these words. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he served him as he did before.
defending a friend
We can learn a lot about friendship from Jonathan. He defended his friend David against the injustice of false accusation — even when that injustice was coming from his father, king Saul. When our friends are being accused falsely, we should stand up for them.
1 Samuel 18:17 Saul told David, “Notice my oldest daughter Merab. I’ll give her to you as a wife, if you will be efficient for me and fight Yahveh’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I don’t need to raise a hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” 1 Samuel 18:18 Then David responded, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel that I should become the king’s son-in-law?” 1 Samuel 18:19 When it was time to give Saul’s daughter Merab to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife. 1 Samuel 18:20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal cared for David, and when it was reported to Saul, it pleased him. 1 Samuel 18:21 “I’ll give her to him,” Saul thought. “She’ll be a trap for him, and the hand of the Philistines will be against him.” So, Saul said to David a second time, “You can now be my son-in-law.” 1 Samuel 18:22 Saul then ordered his servants, “Speak to David in private and tell him, ‘Notice, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants care for you. Therefore, you should become the king’s son-in-law.'” 1 Samuel 18:23 Saul’s servants reported these words directly to David, but he replied, “Is it trivial in your sight to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor commoner.” 1 Samuel 18:24 The servants reported back to Saul, “These are the words David spoke.” 1 Samuel 18:25 Then Saul replied, “Say this to David: ‘The king desires no other bride-price except a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.'” Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 18:26 When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, 1 Samuel 18:27 David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented them as full payment to the king to become his son-in-law. Then Saul gave his daughter Michal to David as his wife. 1 Samuel 18:28 Saul realized that Yahveh was with David and that his daughter Michal cared for him, 1 Samuel 18:29 and he became even more afraid of David. As a result, Saul was David’s enemy from then on. 1 Samuel 18:30 Every time the Philistine commanders came out to fight, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers. So, his name became well known.
LORD of our stressful lives
Things change in life and often seem like they are spiraling out of control. Such was the case with David and his relationship with king Saul. David could do nothing right in Saul’s eyes. His friendship with Jonathan, his reputation as a warrior, his music, his marriage to Michal, his success against the Philistines – everything that David did just made Saul angrier. Tension was increasing, but things were not really out of control. God was in control.
LORD, you are the LORD of our stressful lives. May we stay tuned to your presence, and trust your plan.
1 Samuel 18:5 David marched out with the army and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do. Saul put him in command of the fighting men, which pleased all the people and Saul’s servants as well. 1 Samuel 18:6 As the troops were coming back, when David was returning from killing the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with shouts of joy, and with three-stringed instruments. 1 Samuel 18:7 As they danced, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. 1 Samuel 18:8 Saul was furious and resented this song. “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?” 1 Samuel 18:9 So Saul spied on David from that day forward. 1 Samuel 18:10 The next day an evil breath sent from God came powerfully on Saul, and he began to rave inside the palace. David was playing the lyre as usual, but Saul was holding a spear, 1 Samuel 18:11 and he threw it, thinking, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David got away from him twice. 1 Samuel 18:12 Saul was afraid of David because Yahveh was with David but had left Saul. 1 Samuel 18:13 Therefore, Saul sent David away from him and made him commander over a thousand men. David led the troops 1 Samuel 18:14 and continued to be successful in all his undertakings because Yahveh was with him. 1 Samuel 18:15 When Saul noticed that David was very successful, he dreaded him. 1 Samuel 18:16 But all Israel and Judah cared for David because he was leading their troops.
dodge the spears
This was a curious time for David. On the one hand, he was enjoying success at what he did, and the love of all the people. On the other hand, he could not seem to do anything but infuriate king Saul. In today’s text, we see David dodging a spear thrown by Saul — twice.
Following Jesus might lead to fame, or it might lead to the threat of death — or both. Either way, we should keep following, and dodge the spears.
Devotions 