Read: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 115:1-18
David begins his life of running from Saul. He left Gath which means “a winepress” and went to the cave at Adullam which means “a testimony to them”. The cave at Adullam would be a place David and his men hid in often. It was here that David formed his army against Saul. Four hundred men that were unsatisfied with the consequences of having a king came and joined David.
God sent his word to lead David and keep him alive. A prophet from Gad told David not to stay there but to go to the land of Judah. David obeyed and went to the forest of Hereth in Judah.
Saul met with his officers to discuss David. Doeg remembered that he had seen David talking to the priest at Nob. He told Saul that Ahimelech had fed David and given him Goliath’s sword. Saul sent for Ahimelech and all his family. He sentenced them to die for treason even though Ahimelech pled he was innocent. No one would kill the priests so Doeg did it himself. He killed 85 priests and only one, Abiathar escaped to tell David. This was a fulfillment of Eli’s descendants that none of them would live to be old (1 Samuel 2:31-33). God was keeping his promise.
Abiathar had brought with him the ephod that has the Ummin and the Thummin to ask God questions. David used these to know what to do during this time of his life. He asked God if he should go to Keilah and help the town who was being attacked by the Philistines. God said, yes, so he went and fought for them. When Saul found out where he was, David asked God if the people of Keilah would turn him over to Saul and God said, yes. David’s men left before Saul arrived.
David’s men grew from 400 to 600. They wandered through the wilderness running from Saul and fighting for Israel when they could. God protected David and his men. When Saul’s army would find out where David was, God would shield David with a mountain, a word, or a diversion.
If we could see our lives from heaven’s perspective we would see this same pattern in our own lives. God protects us from the enemy all our lives and we never know it. One day, we will get to see a movie of our lives and all the times the Lord delivered us when we had no idea we were in danger.
In John, Jesus explains the kingdom of God like being a sheep-pen. Those who enter by the door, Jesus, are his true disciples. The ones who try to get in some other way are the thieves and robbers and they won’t be allowed to stay. It seems harsh to unbelievers that we as Christians are so elite in saying there is only one way to heaven: through Jesus, but that is exactly what Jesus was explaining. There is only one way and that is through Jesus. Anyone and everyone is invited but they have to come God’s way, not theirs. The way is narrow and few there be which find it. Jesus tried to explain that he was the good shepherd. They should want to come his way because he loved them and would take care of them. He was the only one who could give them an abundant life. They couldn’t see it because of their stubbornness and rebellion.
Lord, help us to trust in your protection and plan for our lives. Thank you for your unfailing love for us. We are so grateful!
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