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David Flees
421
majesty, he would have had peace even in the middle of the shadows
of death.
David sought safety in the mountains of Judah. He escaped to
the cave of Adullam, a place that he could defend with a small force,
even against a large army. “So when his brothers and all his father’s
house heard it, they went down there to him.” The family of David
could not feel secure, knowing that at any time Saul’s unreasonable
suspicions might be directed against them because of their relation to
David. They had now learned what was becoming generally known
in Israel—that God had chosen David as the future ruler of His
people, and they believed that they would be safer with him.
In the cave of Adullam, the family was united in sympathy and
affection. The son of Jesse could make music with his voice and
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harp. He had tasted the bitterness of distrust from his own brothers,
and the harmony that now replaced this discord brought joy to the
exile’s heart.
Many people had lost confidence in the ruler of Israel, for they
could see that he was no longer guided by the Spirit of the Lord.
“And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and
everyone who was discontented” gathered to David, and “he became
captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with
him.” David had a little kingdom of his own here, where there was
order and discipline. But he was far from safe, for he had ongoing
evidence that the king had not given up his murderous purpose.
When a warning of danger came from a prophet of the Lord,
David fled from his hiding place to the forest of Hereth. God was
giving David a course of discipline to fit him to become a wise
general as well as a just and merciful king.
Saul had been preparing to trap David in the cave of Adullam,
and when it was discovered that David had left this hiding place, the
king was furious. David’s escape was a mystery. Had traitors in his
camp informed the son of Jesse of his plans?
King Saul Orders a Terrible Massacre
Saul told his counselors that a conspiracy had been formed
against him, and he bribed them with the offer of rich gifts and
honor to reveal who among his people had befriended David. Doeg