David Flees
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the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and
between my seed and thy seed forever.”
David hastened to reach Nob. The tabernacle had been taken to
this place from Shiloh, and here Ahimelech the high priest ministered.
The priest looked upon David in astonishment, as he came in haste and
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apparently alone. He inquired what had brought him there. The young
man in his extremity resorted to deception. David told the priest he
had been sent by the king on a secret errand.
David’s Faith Fails
Here he manifested a want of faith in God, and his sin resulted
in the death of the high priest. Had the facts been plainly stated,
Ahimelech would have known what course to pursue to preserve his
life. God requires that truthfulness mark His people, even in the
greatest peril.
Doeg, chief of Saul’s herdsmen, was paying his vows in the place
of worship. At the sight of this man, David determined to make haste
to secure another place of refuge. He asked Ahimelech for a sword
and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath, kept as a
relic in the tabernacle. David replied, “There is none like that; give it
me.”
David fled to Achish, king of Gath; for he felt that there was more
safety in the midst of the enemies of his people than in the dominions
of Saul. But it was reported to Achish that David was the man who had
slain the Philistine champion years before. Now he who had sought
refuge with the foes of Israel found himself in great peril. But, feigning
madness, he deceived his enemies and thus made his escape.
The first error of David was his distrust of God at Nob; his second,
his deception before Achish. As trial came upon him, his faith was
shaken and human weakness appeared. He saw in every man a spy
and a betrayer. As he had been hunted and persecuted, perplexity and
distress had nearly hidden his heavenly Father from his sight.
Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack
of faith. When shadows encompass the soul, we must look up; there
is light beyond the darkness. David ought not to have distrusted God.
He was the Lord’s anointed. If he had but removed his mind from the
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distressing situation in which he was placed and had thought of God’s