1 Samuel

1 Samuel 22: The LORD gives a safe place

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how David's hurting followers gather at the cave of Adullam, and learn that the LORD gives a safe place to those who flee to His chosen king, let us pray together. Ask Him to keep us near, and to show us Jesus.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion.

Psalm 27:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You give a safe place to those who flee to Your chosen king, and help us to trust You in trouble. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David escaped to the cave of Adullam, and his family and everyone in distress gathered around him, about four hundred men. David asked the king of Moab to shelter his parents, and the prophet Gad told him to leave the stronghold and go to Judah. Saul accused his own servants of conspiring with David, and Doeg told Saul that Ahimelech had inquired of the LORD for David. Saul ordered the priests of Nob to be killed, and his servants refused, but Doeg carried out the order. Only Abiathar escaped, and he fled to David. David said, “Don’t be afraid,” because the one who seeks his life seeks Abiathar’s life too.

As you read 1 Samuel 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives a safe place to those who flee from wicked men to His chosen king.

David escaped to the cave of Adullam, and his brothers and his father's house came down to him (verse 1). Everyone in distress, in debt or discontented gathered to him, about four hundred men (verse 2). David asked the king of Moab to shelter his parents, and the prophet Gad told him to go to Judah (verses 3 to 5). Saul sat with his spear in his hand and accused his servants of plotting with David (verses 6 to 8). Doeg the Edomite told what he had seen at Nob, and Saul called for the priests (verses 9 to 13). Ahimelech said David was faithful and he knew nothing of a plot, yet Saul ordered the priests killed (verses 14 to 16). Saul's guards refused, but Doeg killed eighty-five priests and struck down the city of Nob (verses 17 to 19). Abiathar escaped to David, who took the blame and told him to stay and be safe (verses 20 to 23). Those who fled from Saul to the king the LORD had chosen were safe with him.

How does 1 Samuel 22 show us that the LORD gives a safe place to those who flee from wicked men to His chosen king?

David gathers people in trouble.

About four hundred men gathered to David at Adullam, those in distress, in debt, or discontented (verses 1 and 2). David became captain over them (verse 2). He asked the king of Moab to keep his parents until he knew what God would do for him (verse 3). The prophet Gad told him to leave the stronghold and go to Judah (verse 5).

Wicked men seek to harm God’s servants.

Saul sat with his spear in his hand and accused his servants of plotting against him (verses 6 to 8). Doeg told Saul what he had seen at Nob (verses 9 and 10). Ahimelech said he knew nothing of any plot, yet Saul ordered the priests killed (verses 15 and 16). When Saul's guards refused, Doeg killed eighty-five priests (verses 17 and 18).

Those who flee to the LORD’s chosen king are safe with him.

Abiathar escaped from Nob and fled to David (verses 20 and 21). David said he was responsible for the priests' deaths, and he told Abiathar to stay with him (verses 22 and 23). He said that whoever sought David's life sought Abiathar's life, and Abiathar would be safe (verse 23). Jesus said no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand (John 10 verses 27 and 28).

Memorise

Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. For you will be safe with me.

1 Samuel 22:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am afraid, do I stay near the LORD and come to Jesus?

David said to Abiathar, “Stay with me. Don’t be afraid.” A man who had lost his whole family found a safe place with the king the LORD had chosen.

We have all run from God and been caught in sin, and no place of our own can keep us from His judgment. Christ is the Refuge for sinners who flee to Him. They take hold of the hope set before them (Hebrews 6 verse 18). He bore God's anger for them on the cross, and the Father raised Him from the dead. His work for them is finished, and no one can add to it.

Flee to Him today. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He welcomes every sinner who flees to Him, and He forgives them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that those who flee to the LORD's chosen king are safe, and that Jesus keeps His sheep. Parents, you may want to explain verses 18 and 19 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He gives a safe place to those who flee to His chosen king, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble.

Psalm 32:7

Father, You give a safe place to those who flee to Your chosen king, even when wicked men seek their lives. Thank You that Jesus is the Refuge for sinners who come to Him. Turn us from fear, and help us to stay near You. Keep us safe in Your care this week. Amen.