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Jesus says, to potential followers, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’ (Matt. 8:20). David is giving us a preview of what this means, as the chosen king becomes a hunted, homeless and persecuted king.
David’s life is now a life on the run, hiding in caves and surrounded by enemies. Saul is trying to kill him and David has to flee as best he can. At every point, he looks incredibly vulnerable. In 21:10–15 he has to flee to his old enemies, the Philistines, and only escapes by the skin of his teeth and some skilful deception. Then in 22:3–5 he moves to Moab to live amongst another enemy, but has to flee again. In 22:6–23 we see the kingdom of darkness pursuing David, as Saul slaughters God’s priests at Nob. Further, there is always the threat of traitors willing to hand David over – Doeg the Edomite (21:7 and 22:9–10, 18), the city of Keilah (23:12) and the Ziphites (23:19–20). David is besieged by enemies.
Yet, in the middle of this, the Lord sustains his chosen king. David may be homeless and hunted, but the Lord’s hand is with him. When desperately hungry, David is given not just any old bread by the priests of Nob, but the living bread of God’s presence (21:4–6). He even picks up Goliath’s old sword on the way (21:9)! The Lord provides him with a band of loyal followers (21:2 and 22:2), and gives David his word through Gad (22:5) and Abiathar (23:9–12). Finally, the Lord saves David through a number of ‘coincidences’ – a chance conversation (23:25) and a timely message for Saul (23:26–28).
Following the king isn’t an easy, trouble-free life. It can be a life surrounded by enemies. Jesus warned us of this. Yet, the Lord is close and he’ll keep us, his homeless, exiled people, going as we seek a better home with him.
REFLECTION
1. How does this passage help you count the cost of following King Jesus?
2. How has the Lord sustained you in the past in the middle of difficulty?
About this Plan
1 Samuel charts the rise and fall of several of Israel’s leaders. You’ll meet the notoriously arrogant king Saul and see the ascent of the man after God’s own heart – David. You’ll read of dangerous battles, murder plots, giants and even more surprises in this book. You’ll see that despite turbulence in leadership, seemingly strong enemies and spiritual decay God is very much at work orchestrating the fall of the proud and the rise of the humble. What an encouragement for us today when we are faced with challenges not too dissimilar to these!
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