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Samuel chapter 22 reminds me that even though we cannot change our
past, we can still find a place of peace. We
read that after his humiliating time in Gath, David, “escaped
to the cave of Adullam“.
Later David wrote Psalm
57 describing his
repentance and his real source of protection: “Have
mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes
refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the
disaster has passed“.
Then notice the first to bring David comfort, “When
his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went
down to him there“.
Next we see the ones who are first to come to David’s side “All
those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around
him, and he became their leader“.
This brings to mind the words of Jesus, “Come
to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give
you rest. No
matter where you are now, there is peace with Christ.
David
has now given his whole heart to God and even though he is still in
danger, his concern is for others. He first asked the King of Moab,
“Would
you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn
what God will do for me?”
David received direction from a prophet and did not hesitate, “Go
into the land of Judah“.
So David left and went to Judah. Even though it was Saul’s back
yard, David was at peace. King Saul on the other hand can think of
no one but himself! “Saul,
spear in hand… with all his officials standing around him…”
said to them, “Will
the son of Jesse give all of you fields …make all of you commanders
…you have all conspired against me… my son makes a covenant with
the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me …incited my
servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today“.
Saul was king, but living out of God’s will, he trusted no one.
Finally,
we see the consequence of David’s earlier deception, “But
Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials“.
He explained to Saul, “Ahimelech
inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him (David)
provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine“.
When the Priest was summoned to Saul, he was interrogated.
“Why
have you conspired against me?”
But he innocently asked “Who
of all your servants is as loyal as David?”
This truth enraged Saul even more so he commanded his guard, “Turn
and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with
David… But the king’s officials were not willing to raise a hand to
strike the priests of the Lord“.
Apparently they feared God more than Saul! “So
Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed
eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod… the town of the priests,
with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle,
donkeys and sheep.”
Sadly, there will always be men willing to do evil for profit. The
chapter ends with another insight into David’s heart. “But
Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, escaped and fled to join David. He
told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord“.
David responded with repentance and compassion. “I
am responsible for the death of your father’s whole family. Stay
with me; don’t be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking
mine also. You will be safe with me“.
Looking for peace? Repentance and compassion is a good place to
start.