Day 107, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Samuel 21:1–22:5; Psalm 34; Psalm 56; 1Chronicles 12:8-18
Escape and Deliverance
What are some situations from which people would like to escape?
- An embarrassing scene?
- High-stress?
- Temptation?
- A life-threatening circumstance?
When is it best to flee? In our last chronological Bible study, we saw King Saul's treatment of David become dangerous. He envied David's success. David needed to escape now!
Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. (1Samuel 19:11-12, NIV)
A person might argue, if God is on your side, why should you ever have to flee? Perhaps David wondered the same thing. However, sometimes God uses a man or a woman to counsel or help, and the wise person listens and obeys. As we shall see, David's flight is in the providential will of God.
David's escape, however, is a low point in his life. He's a hero, having defeated Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior who defied the armies and God of Israel. Afterward, David fought in and led military battles with tremendous success because the LORD was with him. David even became a son-in-law to King Saul and a personal best friend of Jonathan, the king's son. Everything was looking favorable for David until Saul grew into a jealous monster. Now David is a wanted man! What happened? Has God deserted him?
Some of us might relate to David. After significant victories, we feel on top of a mountain. Then we fall into valleys of disillusionment, discouragement, depression, and despair. When we are physically weak, we can become spiritually weak. That is when we are most vulnerable to Satan's attacks. He loves to defeat us.
When David is weak from hunger and Saul's pursuit, he does some things which are uncharacteristic of him. First, David flees to Nob, one of the assigned towns for priests to live. The tabernacle hasn't yet found a resting place in Jerusalem. It moves around and is now in Nob.
The priest asks why David is here, his purpose for coming, and why he's unarmed. David lies. He says King Saul sent him on an urgent mission, and he and his small band of men are hungry. They're looking for help anywhere they can find it. The priest gives them the dedicated bread day-old, due for replacement. They gladly receive it. David also recovers from the priest, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, which he left after he killed the giant warrior. Unfortunately, Doeg, King Saul's head shepherd is present and observes everything. He'll soon betray David's whereabouts.
After Nob, David escapes to Gath, the territory of the Philistines. Perhaps, he thinks Saul won't pursue him in enemy territory. The Philistines capture David (Psalm 56:1), but he acts insane in the king's presence, and they let him go. David is operating by his wits and working out of fear. When we're in trouble, it's best to pray for direction from God when we make our escape , but David is learning.David writes Psalm 34 after his experience in Gath. He says,
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame [unlike the time when David let his spittle run down his face to appear to be insane before Achish, king of Gath].This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:4-8; 17-19, 22, NIV)
After Gath, David escapes to the cave of Adullam. There, his family joins him. Adullam is in a hill country, which is a stronghold for defense. His relatives encourage him, but it's not safe for them to be with him, so he leaves them in the land of Moab.
David is in danger at Adullam. The prophet Gad tells him not to stay there, but to go to the land of Judah. There, he'll find support and help. God lifts David from the miry clay of disillusionment and discouragement and leads him back to his tribe, where he will eventually become king. The LORD also gives him courageous and skilled warriors to lead, some even from Saul's tribe of Benjamin (perhaps they realized Saul's insanity).
Maybe, like David, some of us have been treated with injustice. God can bring us out of our spiritual woes if we look to him for deliverance. Although David is weak and discouraged, the LORD gives him new hope, assignments, and protection until it's right for him to be king. We, like David, must learn that even when we're weak, God's strong. He's our fortress and deliverer.
Focus Verse
Psalm 34:8 (NIV) “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Discussion
What should we do when we need to escape?
When does the Devil like to attack us?
We will make mistakes along the way, but what should we be learning like David?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: David is Pursued, Victimized, and Stalked—what can [he] do about it? If we were in a similar situation, what could we do? Join us for our Next Lesson.
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