1 Samuel 22

At this point in the story David has been through a lot of heartache. He has experienced sudden fame after killing Goliath, recently been married, escaped death a few times and now he is running away to escape the anger and jealousy of Saul. He is likely exhausted and missing the normalcy of everyday life. He finds himself in the cave of Adullam, which means ‘refuge’ or ‘hiding place’ in Hebrew. 

The title of Psalm 142 reads, “A maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer.” So we have an idea of what was going on in David’s heart during this time. David knew that he was in trouble. He knew that he was being chased by persecutors (Psalm 142:6) and he knew that only God could be his refuge (Psalm 142:5). David was in distress, yet was trusting in God to protect him. Psalm 57 is also written by David when he fled Saul and hid in the cave of Adullam. In this song David is crying out to the Lord as he is in Psalm 142. In the midst of persecution David proclaims to God, “in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge” (Psalm 57:1). During one of the scariest moments of David’s life he sings praises to his God:

“My heart is steadfast, O God,

My heart is steadfast!

I will sing and make melody!

Awake, my glory!

Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations” (Psalm 57:7-9).

David trusts in his God so much so that he is singing praises in the midst of tragedy, knowing that God’s will is higher than his own. And Gof does protect David and provides for him help in a time of need.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 tells us that his family and others surround him. The fact that his family is there to help David and surrender to his command is a powerful testament of God’s work in people’s hearts. In previous chapters, David’s father and brothers saw him as lesser being the youngest and doubted his ability to lead. (1 Samuel 16:11, 1 Samuel 17:28). Now with his family and the most unlikely people, David is made commander. 

David continues to remain faithful to God as Saul continues to live into evil and hatred to the point of murdering the Priests of Nob. 

God asks us to trust his will for our life even when we are unsure of what will happen next. And God will always remain faithful to us. 2 Timothy 2:11 says,

“The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;

If we endure, we will also reign with Him;

If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

If we are faithless, He remains faithful–

For He cannot deny Himself.”

Rest in the peace and comfort that God is for us (Romans 8:31) and even when we lack faith, He remains faithful! Cry out to God and sing praises to Him in the midst of heartache, joy, tragedy, and celebrations. He is worthy of our praise!

Where are you not trusting God and giving Him the praises He is worthy of?