1 Samuel 21-22:5 | Sermons | Grace Church of Mentor

From Courts to Caves

1 Samuel 21-22:5

Up to this point, all of David’s movements have been described in response to threats. David fled, hid, slipped away, and escaped. Yet in 1 Samuel 21:1, the narrator writes that David came to Nob to the priest. Indeed, David came to God.

God’s love is greater than your greatest need.

God’s provision is greater than our barriers. (1 Samuel 21:1-9)

Nob is now the religious center for Israel. Ahimelech the priest, the great grandson of Eli, trembles upon meeting David, questioning why David is alone with no one with him. David, second in the king’s army, would not ordinarily be traveling alone. Scripture reports that David chose to lie to Ahimelech (which later brings consequences upon the priests).

David confesses his need and his men’s need for food to the priest. The barrier to this need is that only the consecrated Bread of Presence is available. This set-apart bread, baked two at a time by the priests, signified God’s presence with and provision for Israel. This bread was meant to be eaten by only the priests after it was past its freshness. This is a significant barrier as Levitical ceremonial law dictated how this bread was to be used.

In Matthew 12, Jesus explains why Ahimelech did the right thing in giving David the bread, for there is a priority even to the ceremonial law. God desires lovingkindness, mercy, and compassion from one’s heart even above a sacrifice. God’s great love through Christ Jesus overcame our greatest barrier of sin, providing all we need for forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.

God’s protection is greater than our weakness. (1 Samuel 21:10-22:1)

David knows a servant of Saul is there, Doeg the Edomite, and asks Ahimelech for a weapon. Having been given Goliath’s sword, David flees to Achish, the king of Gath. When David realizes some of the men of Gath recognize him, he pretends to be a madman in his fear and weakness.

God protected David in his weakness, for David trusted in Him.

God’s purpose is greater than our brokenness. (1 Samuel 22:1-5)

David travels to the cave of Adullam, a large cave system able to house hundreds of people. This natural refuge is located between the borders of Gath and Israel and under Philistine control. David’s brothers and all his father’s household meet David there, along with all who are distressed, in debt, and discontented. David becomes captain over all these people and has about four hundred men with him. If David is a friend of God, then all those who are following God’s anointed are friends of God.

David seeks safety for his parents with the king of Moab. The prophet Gad warns David to depart from the caves and to go into the land of Judah. David leaves the caves and goes into the forest of Hereth. David is a fugitive, but he has a friend in the God of heaven. Following David, a friend of God, the distressed and broken find safety too. God has purposed for those who have friendship with God’s anointed to find safety and rest.

David flees Saul and finds God’s provision of bread and sword in Nob. He flees Gath in fear and finds God’s protection. He flees into the cave and finds God’s purpose. In God’s great love, we find all we need. He has purposed through Christ Jesus, the son of David, that we find eternal safety and rest for our souls.

Application Points

Has your love for God changed your priorities and affections? As you apprehend the love of God, it will change you and be evident in how you live your life.
Are you trusting Christ Jesus as your Savior? He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water. Only Christ Jesus can provide, protect, and purpose all you need.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24; Matthew 12; Psalm 34, 56

A Hymn to Encourage: “In Christ Alone”

In Christ alone, my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease- My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe, This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save; ‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied, For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.