That which seems to be one of the greatest struggles for God’s people is trusting God to do what he says he will do. I think if we all looked at our lives, that might be our greatest struggle. For whether your sin surfaces in carrying out lust, or being gripped with anxiety, or slandering your brother, all these things begin with us refusing to believe that there is greater joy in obedience that in disobedience. Therefore, we need good and solid reminders throughout our lives that God indeed can and should be trusted.

I believe our text this morning is a good reminder to that end. Therefore, this morning I want to point out things we should learn from our narrative this morning and hopefully provide a full picture that can serve as a reminder and exhortation to trust God. Thus, let us look this morning at our text in four sections: 21:1-22:5; 22:6-23; 23, and 24-26. Let’s begin by looking at 21:1-22:5.

God provides for his children (21:1-22:5)

As chapter 21 begins, David has now fled. He has left Jonathan, Michal, and all who had aided him along the way behind. And he went to Nob. At Nob there was a priest named Ahimelech. Seeing David, he trembled. He sensed David was up to something. After all, David had come alone, and the king surely would not have issued such a mission for one man. Therefore, he questions David, asking him why he has come.

David’s answer to Ahimelech’s question should have left the priest suspicious. David says that he is on a secret mission from the king and had to go so quickly that he has left without food or weapon. Surely, however, no mission would need to be so quick so that one would leave without what was necessary to accomplish the task. This would be like saying to someone, “Hurry, I need you cut the grass” and when the individual says, “Okay, where’s the lawnmower?” you answer, “There’s no time for that, just get to cutting the grass.” Nevertheless, Ahimelech gives David the holy bread and Goliath’s sword which had been kept there lying in a cloth. And David heads to Achish, the king of Gath, Goliath’s hometown. We’re not exactly sure why David decides to go there. Perhaps he figures he has nowhere else to go, and this is his best choice. However, we can anticipate things being difficult with David showing up armed with Goliath’s sword, which he had used to cut off Goliath’s head.

Before getting to David’s arrival in Gath, however, we need to take note of one detail given to us in verse 7. There, the text reads, “Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul’s herdsmen.” This will come to be an important detail as the story goes along.

When David arrives in the presence of Achish, he becomes frightened, for the servants of the king recognize who he is and have heard that the Israelites have sung of him striking down his ten thousands. Therefore, as they capture him, David acts like he is insane, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his spit run down his face. Therefore, the king does nothing to David, considering he is a madman and lets him go.

From there, David leaves and heads to the cave of Adullam. And while he is there, individuals get word of David’s whereabouts and begin coming to him. His father and brothers come there. Perhaps they are fearful that Saul will kill them if they stay where they are. And “everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him” (22:2) so that David soon became the leader of a 400-man army of sorts.

David, not wanting his father and mother in danger, leaves them with the king of Moab, and then, as Gad (a prophet) tells him to go into Judah, David leaves and heads into the forest of Hereth.

So what do these details teach us? What does David getting bread and a sword, being able to escape imprisonment, being able to leave his parents with the king of Moab, and getting direction to go to Judah have to do with us? What do these details help us to understand?

Well, the great thing is that we do not have to come up with the answer ourselves, for David wrote a psalm, reflecting on this time when he escaped from Ahimelech and was fleeing from Saul (possibly in the midst of this time), and it is Psalm 34.

A brief look at that psalm shows us that this episode in David’s life is meant to teach us that God provides for his righteous children. In the psalm, David begins by praising God, and in verse 4 he begins telling why he praises God. He writes, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears … Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. … When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all” (Psalm 34:4, 8-10, 17-19).

These events in David’s life are meant to instruct us in God’s provision for his righteous people. They are meant to exhort us to righteous living in trust that God will provide for us along the way. And if we pay attention to the details, it is really amazing how David’s provision comes. The priest not only has the holy bread but Goliath’s sword, one which David declares is beyond comparison. Then, the king of Ahimelech orders not only his not being killed but being delivered. And, finally, the king of Moab protects his parents before David is instructed to go to Jerusalem. Why? It could be because years before a Moabite named Ruth lost her husband, married a man named Boaz, and gave birth to a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse, who was the father of David. It could be that the reason the king of Moab was so quick to house Jesse on David’s behalf is because he knew they had Moabite blood. And, if that is the case, then God had been putting in place details for their provision years prior.

Therefore, allow the details of 1 Samuel 21:1-22:5 to be a reminder to us to pursue righteous and trust God to provide for us along the way. Isn’t this exactly what Matthew 6:33 teaches us as our Lord declares, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things (i.e. our day-to-day needs) will be provided to you”? Do not fret over provision, but obey the Lord. Our call is to obey; his promise is to provide.

God’s will accomplish his Word (22:6-23)

1 Samuel 22:6 draws our attention back to Saul. He has heard that David has been seen, and perhaps because of the numbers with him is convinced that David is rounding up an army to take out Saul. Therefore, Saul points out the lack of allegiance his servants have shown to their king, asking them if David will give them great blessings for working with him in conspiring against Saul.

This question/challenge brings forth Doeg, who had seen David when he came to Ahimelech. Doeg tells Saul that the priest had provided bread and Goliath’s sword for David. Therefore, Saul orders Ahimelech and all the priests of his house at Nob to come to him, and they come. Saul asks why he has conspired against the king, and Ahimelech answers that David is a loyal servant of Saul, and so he did what he had always done for David. He had no idea of any kind of uprising on David’s part against the king. Nevertheless, Saul orders him dead. And when none of Saul’s servants would do it, Doeg stepped forward, slaughtering Ahimelech and eighty-five priests in all. Then he killed everyone in Nob, woman, child, and animal alike.

One of Ahimelech’s sons, Ahitub, escaped, however. He went to David and told him what had transpired. David’s words end chapter 22, as he says to Ahitub, “I knew on that day when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house. Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping” (22:22-23).

This chapter is one of tragedy from one perspective. Ahimelech, as far as we can tell, really knew nothing of David and was innocent. In fact, David had deceived him. Yet he and all his father’s house are killed except for one – Abiathar. David takes responsibility in verse 22. At the same time we can say that clearly Saul and Doeg are responsible. But is this chapter simply to teach us not to deceive people, that there will always be evil men in the world, or that we shouldn’t be like Saul? Well, indeed, all these things are true. But I think the lesson we are supposed to see is that God’s Word will be fulfilled and nothing can stop it.

We can pin the death of these priests on David’s deception and Saul and Doeg’s violence, but we can also point out that this was a fulfillment of God’s Word. In 1 Samuel 2:30-33, we read of God’s Word given to Eli. “Therefore the Lord the God of Israel declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the Lord declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men.”

Ralph Davis sums up the truth we see here nicely, writing, “It is a horrid wickedness for which Saul and Doeg are fully responsible; and it is a clear fulfillment of the word Yahweh had spoken. Put it together and one truth becomes clear: Even in opposing God’s kingdom God’s enemies only bring to pass God’s word.”¹

In a world where our God reigns, his Word will definitely be accomplished. We do not have to fear God’s enemies putting in jeopardy God’s promises, or anything thwarting God’s promises, for no matter what, God’s Word will be accomplished.

This should be a comfort to us. You may have seen God’s provision and promise for such in the Scripture (even as we have spoken of already) and yet doubted, coming up with all the things that could get in the way and thwart that work. But such thoughts do not take into account the reminder we see in 1 Samuel 22:6-23, namely, that God’s Word will be accomplished no matter what. Nothing can stop God from fulfilling his plans.

So maybe this morning you’re hear thinking, “Man, I’ve blown it.” The enemy is pointing out that you have sinned and now are no longer usable by God. Satan is telling you that God’s work can now not be accomplished in your life. If that is the case, don’t believe it. Confess your sin, yes. Repent of your sin, yes. And then remind Satan and yourself that nothing can stop God’s Word from being fulfilled. David’s deception and Saul’s violence only fulfilled God’s Word.

Now, this doesn’t mean we should sin, as Paul points out, in order that God’s grace may abound. God forbid. But it does mean that we can have hope and place our faith in obeying God and trusting his Word because we know that nothing can thwart his plans.

God is able and committed to provide every means necessary to accomplish his purposes (23)

In looking at chapter 23, we basically find three episodes within this one chapter. The first involves the city of Keilah. As David is fleeing from Saul, he gets word that the Philistines “are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors” (23:1). This meant that the Philistines were taking the grain from the people of the city, which was their food supply. Therefore, David seeks the Lord and God tells him to attack the Phlistines and save Keilah. The problem is, though, that David’s men are afraid. David, therefore, seeks the Lord again, receives the same answer, and leads his men into battle. Sure enough, David and his men are successful striking the Philistines “with a great blow” (23:5).

Then, however, gets news that Saul is coming after him. So he seeks the Lord to see if Saul will indeed come to him and if the people of the city will surrender him into Saul’s hands. God tells David that both will happen.

Now, it might seem odd to us that the people of Keilah would surrender David into Saul’s hands after he had just fought for their salvation, but we need to remember something they might have been keenly aware of, namely, what happened to those priests and their families who had lived in Nob when they were suspected of helping David. Therefore, seeing that Saul is coming and that the people were about to surrender him into Saul’s hands, David leaves and heads toward Ziph.

At this point something interesting happens; Jonathan comes to David. The text doesn’t tell us a lot about it. Only four three verses are dedicated to talking about their meeting, but they are right in the middle of this text. We see the event described in 23:16-18. The text reads, “And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, ‘Do not fear for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.’ And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.”

It was an encouraging word to David, no doubt, and it was one he needed, for the next thing that happens is that the men of Ziph go to Saul and tell him that David is in the land. Saul applauds them for their work and asks them to make sure David is there, and then he will come and attack him. And then the suspense builds. Saul comes after David. David hears that Saul is coming, and David is on the run and Saul on the pursuit. In fact, David is on one side of the mountain with his men, and Saul is on the other side of the mountain with his men. And Saul is closing in on him. It looks like the end is about to come for David when we read in verses 26b-29, “Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, \"Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.\" So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.”

Now what is clear in these three episodes is God’s presence and work. Clearly, the reason David is able to defeat the Philistines and then successfully escape Saul at Keilah is because God was directing him. God told him to attack the Philistines and that Saul was coming and that the people would surrender him into Saul’s hands. God’s word to David had led to his success in battle and in fleeing from Saul. At the same time, when Jonathan comes to Saul, he doesn’t just encourage David, the text says that he “strengthened his hand in God” (23:16). And, finally, I’m sure we’re supposed to see that the Philistines’ attack and the timing of their attack was no accident but the clear guiding hand of God. David had God’s word, was strengthened in God, and had been protected by God.

It seems that one lesson from chapter 23 is that God is able and committed to providing every means necessary to accomplish his purposes. In this chapter at one point David needs direction, at another encouragement in God, and at another divine protection under God’s providence. But what is clear is that all of these needs are met and that they are met by God.

Maybe today you’ve sat there agreeing with the fact that God provides for his children, knowing that you’ve had your needs met. And maybe you agree that God will accomplish his purposes, knowing that we can rely on his promises. And yet at the same time you accept these things thinking only in terms of distant future or what might come. For example, Samuel had told David that he would be king. David, I do not think doubted that. However, for that end to come about God had to provide day-to-day means. In chapter 23 it was direction, encouragement, and protection. And yet God did it because his end cannot be accomplished unless he provides the means.

Sometimes it’s easy for us to acknowledge that God’s end or purpose for us will be accomplished but it is quite difficult to accept that God will provide all the day-to-day means for that end to be accomplished. I hope we’ve been reminded, however, that God works in the details as well. He will provide for us each step of the way, giving us what is necessary, in order that we might accomplish his purposes and he bring about his intended goal for us. Therefore, if you’ve been reminded today and accept the fact that God can and will accomplish his purpose for your life, may you also be reminded of and accept the fact that God will also provide every means necessary to bring about that end, even as we see him doing with David in this text.

We must obey God in what we know and trust him in what we do not know (24-26)

Chapters 24-26 are a bit odd in that chapters 24 and 26 tell two remarkably similar stories of David sparing Saul and the story in between (chapter 25) tells a story that in some ways does not seem to fit with the flow of the narrative at first glance. However, I believe that we will see that the three chapters all fit together, communicating to David (and to us) a clear truth.

Chapter 24 begins with David in trouble again. As soon as Saul is finished dealing with the Philistines someone reports to him that David is in the wilderness of Engedi. On the way to pursuing David, however, Saul stops and enters a cave to relieve himself. But little does Saul know that David and his men are in that very cave. Thus, one of David’s men points out that the Lord has delivered Saul into his hands. But instead of killing him, David simply cuts off a piece of Saul’s robe.

This might seem silly to us. What does cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe do? Well, for one, it shows Saul clearly that David could have taken his life if he wanted. But secondly, we could see it as David claiming a right to kingship. For even as Jonathan had given David his robe to show his right to the throne, so we could see David as showing Saul clearly that he is claiming his right to the throne on which Saul sits. Regardless of what it means, however, David is instantly convicted. The text tells us that his “heart struck him” (24:5). Therefore, he argued with his men and convinced them that they should not raise their hands against the Lord’s anointed, for to do so would be sin, as if raising one’s hand against God.

Saul then leaves and David speaks to him, calling his attention to the fact that he could have killed him, and yet he spared his life. David argues that he is innocent before Saul and calls on God to demonstrate justice between them.

Then, the text ends as we read in verses 16-22, “As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, \"Is this your voice, my son David?\" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, \"You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Swear to me therefore by the Lord that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.\" And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.” Thus, Saul not only declares that he is guilty and David is innocent but declares that David will indeed be king.

Because this text is linked with the next two chapters, let’s go on in looking at the remaining two stories before drawing conclusions as to what it is that we should learn from the text.

Chapter 25 begins with a brief note about Samuel’s death, and then launches into a story about a man named Nabal. The text tells us that this man was very rich. In fact, we are told that he is rich before we are even told his name. Perhaps this is to show that he valued one more than the other. And David sends a group of men down to meet Nabal and ask him to grant them supplies from the feast, pointing out that David and his men have protected his servants and have taken nothing from him.

Nabal’s response, however, is anything but appreciative. He declares to David’s men, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” (25:10-11). He treats David as if he is simply a runaway slave and clearly shows that he intends on keeping what belongs to him to himself.

What is David’s response? He declares, “Every man strap on his sword” (25:13), and 400 of them prepare to go and wipe out Nabal and his servants. However, one of Nabal’s servants comes to his wife, Abigail, and points out what has happened and, more importantly, what is about to happen.

Therefore, Abigail comes to David and pleads with him not to kill Nabal and the others. We read of her words in verses 23-31, “When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, \"On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant. Let not my lord regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my lord, whom you sent. Now then, my lord, as the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, because the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand, now then let your enemies and those who seek to do evil to my lord be as Nabal. And now let this present that your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live. If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies he shall sling out as from the hollow of a sling. And when the Lord has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you and has appointed you prince over Israel, my lord shall have no cause of grief or pangs of conscience for having shed blood without cause or for my lord taking vengeance himself. And when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.\"

David, thus, agrees to spare their lives and notes that God has indeed restrained his hand. However, the next day, when Abigail told Nabal of what had occurred, the Scripture says he became as a stone and then days later “the Lord struck [him] and he died” (25:38). Therefore, David took Abigail as his wife.

Finally, in chapter 26 we read of a story similar to that of chapter 24. The Ziphites tell Saul that David in hiding on the hill of Hachilah, and so Saul goes down to seek him. However, David sends out spies and finds out where Saul is. Once he does, he asks for Abishai to go with him to where Saul is. Abishai, no doubt, thinks that David is about to kill Saul. And sure enough the opportunity is there. As they walk up to the camp, all the men are in a deep sleep caused by the Lord, and Saul’s spear is stuck in the ground by his head. Abishai, therefore, asks David for one chance to nail Saul’s head to the ground, noting that one chance is all he will need.

But David refuses, and his words are interesting. He declares to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?\" And David said, \"As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go” (26:9-11).

Therefore, after taking the spear and the jar, David goes away a great distance and then yells out to Abner, who should have been serving to guard the king. David wakes him and points out that he is deserving of death. Actually, all the men would have been deserving of death, for they had allowed one to walk right up to their king and easily be able to kill him.

But David’s desire is not to bring about Abner’s execution. Rather, he wants to speak to Saul. Therefore, when Saul recognizes his voice and asks if it is David, David answers and begins to point out Saul’s sin. We read of their conversation in 26:17-25, “Saul recognized David's voice and said, \"Is this your voice, my son David?\" And David said, \"It is my voice, my lord, O king.\" And he said, \"Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done? What evil is on my hands? Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the Lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the Lord, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the Lord, saying, 'Go, serve other gods.' Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.\" Then Saul said, \"I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.\" And David answered and said, \"Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.\" Then Saul said to David, \"Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.\" So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.” This is how our text ends, and it is the last time that David and Saul see each other.

I don’t think it takes great insight to see somewhat of a link in these stories. First, David spares Saul’s life, but threatening him, and Saul points out that David will become king. Next, David is about to kill Nabal, spares him because of Abigail’s words (who tells David he will be king), and then sees God strike Nabal. And, finally, David spares Saul, pointing out that God will deal with him, and then is assured from Saul that he will succeed in what he sets his hand to do.

It seems there is a progression in David’s thought in these three episodes, but by the end he has clearly seen the lesson. He does not have to sin and take vengeance into his own hand to ensure that God’s purposes for his life come about. Rather, he can walk in obedience and watch God bring about his plans.

Is this not instructive for us as well? Perhaps we need to be reminded as well that though God does not tell us how everything will unfold in our lives (i.e. what means he will use to accomplish his purposes in and for us) we simply need to seek to obey God in what we do know and entrust our lives to him.

Maybe today you can’t figure out how God is going to do this or that in your life, and you’re anxious. Well, you can stop being anxious because it is not your job to figure it out. Just as David had learned that although he didn’t know which way Saul would die, he did know he was not going to sin by bringing about Saul’s death through his own hands, and therefore obeyed God and trusted him. So, let us confess we do not know how God might work but simply obey in what we do know and trust him to bring about what pleases him in our lives. If you set your heart to obey God, he is going to let you miss out on what he has for you. He wants to be honored in your life more than you want him to be honored in your life, so trust him.

Therefore, this morning we’ve seen that 1) God provides for his children, 2) that we can trust his promises because his Word is always accomplished, 3) that God is able and committed to provide every means necessary to accomplish his purpose, and 4) that our job is to obey him in what we do know and trust him to work out what we don’t know or can’t understand. Simply put, this text screams to us to walk by faith, trusting in a faithful God.

And if you want to be reminded of the chief way God has provided for us, then this text does it as well. For our text this morning is not simply about David. Yes, it is filled with stories of how God spared David’s life, but that was ultimately so that David’s great Son might come. And years later he was born into the world, Jesus of Nazareth. The one who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead three days later.

Therefore, as you read of God sparing David, let it be a reminder that God was committed to making our salvation in Christ certain. Sparing David was simply a means to the great end, who is Christ. And if God did not spare his own Son in order to bring redemption to us, why should we doubt him giving us everything necessary for godliness throughout our lives. May we trust him and walk in obedient faith. Amen.

¹Dale Ralph Davis, 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 2003), 184.

SPARING DAVID AND SENDING HIS SON