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Patriarchs and Prophets
sin resulted in causing 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 shall mark His people,
even in the greatest peril. David asked the priest for five loaves of
bread. There was nothing but hallowed bread in the possession of
the man of God, but David succeeded in removing his scruples, and
obtained the bread to satisfy his hunger.
A new danger now presented itself. Doeg, the chief of Saul’s
herdsmen, who had professed the faith of the Hebrews, was now
paying his vows in the place of worship. At sight of this man David
determined to make haste to secure another place of refuge, and to
obtain some weapon with which to defend himself if defense should
become necessary. He asked Ahimelech for a sword, and was told that
he had none except the sword of Goliath, which had been kept as a
relic in the tabernacle. David replied, “There is none like that; give
it me.” His courage revived as he grasped the sword that he had once
used in destroying the champion of the Philistines.
David fled to Achish, the 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; and 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, and his
second mistake was his deception before Achish. David had displayed
noble traits of character, and his moral worth had won him favor with
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the people; but as trial came upon him, his faith was shaken, and
human weakness appeared. He saw in every man a spy and a betrayer.
In a great emergency David had looked up to God with a steady eye
of faith, and had vanquished the Philistine giant. He believed in God,
he went in His name. But as he had been hunted and persecuted,
perplexity and distress had nearly hidden his heavenly Father from his
sight.
Yet this experience was serving to teach David wisdom; for it led
him to realize his weakness and the necessity of constant dependence
upon God. Oh, how precious is the sweet influence of the Spirit of
God as it comes to depressed or despairing souls, encouraging the