April 2
1 Samuel 21–24
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 21:1–24:22
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
David is on the run from King Saul. That means he is fleeing from his soldiers and spies too. He is hiding from every resource a king can throw at him. On his way, just north of Jerusalem, David comes to Ahimelech, a priest, and asks for bread, presumably for his escape. The priest provides him with holy bread, which will become a problem for the priest later. In doing so, Ahimelech is bending the rules, since this is bread for priests only. About this time, Doeg, one of the king’s men, happens to be nearby and we are left to assume that he has heard this transaction. What is more, Ahimelech gives David Goliath’s sword too.
In an odd turn of events, David bolts to Gath, the land of the giant whose sword he now carries. He presents himself to the king of Gath, Achish, and the king’s servants wonder: “Isn’t this David, the king of the land”? David fears he will be seen as a usurper of another king’s throne. Having assumed Saul’s reign, will he now take the kingdom from Achish? After all, Achish’s servants seem to see David as king of the whole land, not just Israel. To protect himself, David plays the madman. A fool is no threat to a king.
David leaves Gath to live in a cave of Adullam, miles from Gath. In another strange turn of events, David’s brothers, who had seemed so resentful, begin to rally to him. Others, about 400, who also had problems to escape, joined David at the cave. While David gathers an army, Doeg reports to Saul that Ahimelech the priest had given David bread and the sword of Goliath. Saul is furious and orders the death of Ahimelech and the other priests. None of his servants will comply save Doeg, who cuts down 85 priests of the Lord. Then he slays the entire citizenry of Nob. One son of Ahimelech escapes and warns David, who offers him protection.
Though Saul’s hand is against him, David begins his work as king. Keilah, a Judean town close enough to the border of Philistia, is being raided by the Philistines. The Lord tells David that he will give the Philistines into David’s hand. David strikes and Keilah is saved. This is the king’s work, a fact that should not be lost on the conscience of Saul. Yet, he continues his pursuit of David among various wilderness refuges. In one cave, Saul is left alone and unguarded but David will not kill the man who would certainly kill him, for he is “the Lord’s anointed,” a fact that eludes Saul about David (1 Samuel 16:13), though it assures Saul that David will be king.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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