So our passage today is the entire chapter of 1 Samuel chapter 22.
! 23 verses this time.
And it is action-packed.
This chapter has got me, just my mind, I can't turn it off.
It's so wonderful.
I hope you'll enjoy it.
Although I'm sure we'll walk away like we always do with maybe even more questions.
So please hear this and receive it as God's inspired, inerrant,
authoritative, powerful word for you and me, his people.
Remember, all of God's word is breathed out by him,
and it's useful for teaching, rebuking, instructing his people in righteousness.
1 Samuel 22.
So David left Gath.
Remember, Gath is the capital of the Philistines,
one of the five cities where Goliath is from.
And he took refuge in the cave of Adullam.
When David's brothers and his father's whole family heard,
they went down and joined him there.
In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented,
rallied around him, and he became their leader.
About 400 men were with him.
From there, David went to Mizpah of Moab,
where he said to the king of Moab,
remember, this is a different kingdom.
It's not Israel, and it's not Philistia.
It's where Ruth is from.
Please let my father and mother stay with you
until I know what God will do for me.
So he left them there in the care of the king of Moab,
and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
Then the prophet Gad said to David,
don't stay in the stronghold.
Leave and return to the land of Judah.
So David left and went to the forest of Hereth,
which is in Judah.
Verse 6,
Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered.
At that time, Saul was in Gibeah,
sitting under the tamarisk tree at the high place.
His spear was in his hand,
and all his servants were standing around him.
Saul said to his servants,
listen, men of Benjamin,
is Jesse's son going to give you all the fields,
give all of you fields and vineyards?
Do you think he'll make all of you commanders of households
and commanders of hundreds, commanders of thousands?
That's why all of you have conspired against me.
Nobody tells me when my own son makes a covenant with Jesse's son.
None of you cares about me or tells me of your cares
or tells me that my son has stirred up my own servant
to wait in ambush for me, as he is the case today.
Then Doeg the Edomite,
who was in charge of Saul's servants, answered,
I saw Jesse's son come to Ahimelech,
son of Ahitab, at Nob.
Ahimelech, the priest, inquired of the Lord for him
and gave him provisions.
He also gave him the sword of Goliath, the Philistine.
The king sent messengers to summon the priest.
Ahimelech, son of Ahitab,
and his father's whole family were priests in Nob.
All of them came to the king.
Then Saul said,
Listen, son of Ahitab,
I'm at your service, my lord, he said.
Saul asked him,
Why did you and Jesse's son conspire against me?
You gave him bread and a sword
and inquired of God for him
so he could rise up against me
and wait in ambush,
as is the case today.
Ahimelech replied to the king,
Who among all your servants is as faithful as David?
He is the king's son-in-law,
captain of your bodyguard,
and honored in your house.
Was today the first time I inquired of the Lord for him?
Of course not.
Please don't let the king make an accusation
against your servant
or any of my father's family,
for your servant didn't have any idea about all of this.
And the king said,
You will die, Ahimelech,
you and your father's whole family.
Then the king ordered the guards standing by him,
Turn and kill the priests of the Lord,
because they sided with David.
For they knew he was fleeing,
but they didn't tell me.
The king's servants would not lift a hand
to execute the priests of the Lord.
So the king said to Doeg,
Go and execute the priests.
So Doeg the Edomite went
and executed the priests himself.
On that day,
he killed 85 men who wore linen ephods.
He also struck down Nob,
the city of the priests, with the sword.
Both men and women,
infants and nursing babies,
oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
However, one of the sons of Ahimelech,
son of Ahitab, escaped.
His name was Abiathar.
And he fled to David.
Abiathar told David that Saul had killed
the priests of the Lord.
Then David said to Abiathar,
I knew that Doeg the Edomite was there that day
and that he was sure to report to Saul.
I am myself responsible for the lives
of everyone in your father's family.
Stay with me.
Don't be afraid.
For the one who wants to take my life
wants to take your life.
You will be safe with me.
The word of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Let's pray.
Lord, we ask that by the power of your Holy Spirit,
you'll please help us to
behold by faith
the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ
and the war in this world
against the kingdom of Jesus.
Lord, we pray that you'll help us
to understand this passage
as your Holy Spirit intended it all along
and that our faith in Christ will be strengthened.
We ask this for your glory.
Amen.
A crown is merely a hat
that lets the rain in.
That's what Frederick the Great,
the king of Prussia,
had to say about it.
He knew that the crown was
a symbol of kingdoms of this earth,
not practical.
And it's not just a literal kingdom.
It's anything we hold on to
and put our hope in for our security.
Think of all the things that will soon be gone,
could be stripped away from any one of us at any time.
Health,
title,
a loved one,
an office,
that thing that gives us security,
a job.
None of these kingdoms of this world
will last, will they?
Charles Spurgeon made this observation.
A man who is filled with himself
has no room for God.
And a man who thinks his kingdom is eternal
has forgotten
that he is but a tenant at will
and the landlord
is coming to collect the keys.
Saul is a king
who forgot this
or never learned this lesson.
And the theme of this passage
as I want to walk us through it
is a question.
Which kingdom
is forever?
Which kingdom
is forever?
forever?
All the odds
are stacked against
the kingdom of heaven.
And this
wonderful chapter
has at least six scenes.
I've used six
as our dividing point,
but sometimes
within one scene
they're in two different places
in just a matter of
two or three verses.
So let's do our best
to understand this passage
and with God's help
to apply
what he wants
us to learn from it.
The first scene is
look at chapter 22
verse 1.
Where is it?
Where's the first scene?
It's the cave.
The cave.
Verse 1 says
David therefore departed
and escaped
to the cave
of Adullam.
From the outside
if we were to travel
in Israel
we would see
yellow stone
that looks a little bit
like red rocks here
but yellow
or down
what should be called
the garden of the God.
You know
it looks like that
on the outside
and then from inside
the cave
it's massive.
It's like this
massive room
and you can see
the blue sky
out on the outside
of it.
It's in southern Israel.
We don't know
how far
shepherd boy David
would have wandered
with his sheep
exploring all the
nooks and crannies
of this geography
but this was the cave
where he ended up.
And notice
what's interesting
is that we get
insights into
what's going on
in the rest of Israel
through the main characters
that we've been following
until now.
We read that
when his brothers
and all his father's
house heard of it
they went down there
to him.
So now it's become
public news.
David and Saul
are not on good terms
and it makes sense
for those related
to David
who might also be viewed
by Saul as a threat
to get out of town
quickly
escape to the mountains.
David
we're told Jesse
had eight sons
and David was the youngest
later on in Chronicles
it says
six brothers
so it's possible
that one of the brothers
died young
before he had children
therefore he wasn't
listed later on.
But this is a big household
in addition to all
of their servants.
Remember they're just
a couple generations
away from wealthy Boaz
who owned a lot of fields
and so we can understand
quite a few people there.
And then verse 2
of chapter 22
gives us even more insights.
Apparently the word spread
David
who Saul
is trying to hunt down
he's in the cave
of a dolem
and people start whispering
and everyone
who was in distress
everyone who was in debt
and everyone
who was discontented
literally bitter of soul
gathered to David
and he became captain
over them.
There were about
400 men
with him
in addition to their families
and others.
God's anointed
David
in a cave
hidden from sight
from the perspective
of the world
yet the power
of his person
draws the distressed
the hunted
the weak
those who don't like
Saul's kingdom
they run to him.
God raises up
an army
of those
that ultimately
God has caused
to hate
the dominion
of darkness
those who are sick
of the pattern
of the world
gather
around God's
anointed.
Isn't that a great
scene for us?
A hidden kingdom
and an army
of bankrupt
soldiers
which kingdom
is forever?
Saul
with all the land
the weapons
the official army
or this
ragtag group
out of sight
Benjamin
Keech
commented
David's kingdom
began in a cave
with men in debt
so the kingdom
of heaven
is not made
of those
who are whole
but the sick
this is the condition
of the church
in the wilderness
it is a gathered
people
separated
from the world's
kingdom
acknowledging
no captain
but the anointed
one
that's us
church
we're in the time
of wilderness
from the eyes
of the world
we're weak
and the church
it's not the kingdom
that you'd want
to put your money on
but those who came
to God's anointed
were ones who rejected
the kingdom
of Saul
they were bankrupt
they were in debt
and so the Lord
Jesus receives
not those who are
self-righteous
he says
come unto me
all you who are
weary
heavy laden
he said
blessed are the
poor in spirit
spiritually bankrupt
come to him
Jesus Christ
the true anointed
one
not based on
merit
but based on
your need
of him
and that's
the application
for this first
scene in the cave
now the second
scene
is a place
where it couldn't
be more different
in many ways
look at verse 3
where's the next
scene take place
it's the palace
in Moab
the palace
in Moab
in verse 3
so David
goes next
to Mizpah
the capital
of a different
nation called
Moab
you remember
the name of
David's dad
I think you kids
know this one
what was David's
dad's name
Jesse
Jesse's dad
was Obed
so David's
grandpa
Obed
was half
Moabite
he was
the son
of Ruth
and Ruth
married Boaz
and Ruth
if you remember
was from Moab
and they were
immigrants
to Bethlehem
at least
Ruth was
and when he
gets there
David says
to the king
of Moab
please let
my father
and mother
come here
with you
till I know
what God
will do
for me
I love
how in
just one
verse
we see
a man
submitted
to God
and the
submission
to God
it's waiting
upon the
Lord
and also
not passive
at the same
time
I am going
to take my
parents there
under the
protection of
the king
of Moab
but I'm
also going
to wait
on the
Lord
and to
see
what he
will do
the true
king of
God's
people
will do
the will
of God
patient
not passive
Matthew Henry
commented
David does
not say
till I know
what I shall
do for
myself
but what
God
will do
for me
are you
needing to
wait upon
the Lord
these days
in your
life
David
leaves his
parents
in the
hand of
this king
but his
heart
is waiting
upon the
Lord
in verse
four
so he
brought them
before the
king of
Moab
and they
dwelt
with him
all the
time
that David
was in
the
stronghold
in God's
providence
the commandment
that we
focused on
from the
moral law
today
was the
fifth one
and here's
David
under
persecution
in distress
and yet
by God's
power
giving us
a beautiful
picture
here of
obeying the
fifth commandment
under his
father and
mother
even in a
really hard
situation
so David
says what
will God
have me
do
and he
also says
where will
God
have me
go
remember in
verse three
David says
till I know
what God
has
and now
what God
has for
David is
answered
in verse
five
will you
look at
verse
five
the prophet
Gad
said so
this is
God
giving
David a
prophetic
word of
guidance
do not
stay in
the
stronghold
depart
and go
to the
land
of
Judah
this is
significant
for only
reasons the
Holy Spirit
could know
so David
departed
and went
into the
forest
at
Hereth
when we
thought he
was going
to be
okay
he'd
taken
provisions
took care
of his
parents
put himself
in a
stronghold
he's
buckling
down
he's got
an army
of 400
God
sends him
somewhere
less safe
go down
into Judah
more into
the open
in the
forest
and look
how it
turns out
look at
verse six
when Saul
heard that
David and
the men
who were
with him
had been
discovered
in other
words that's
the very
next thing
that follows
from obeying
where God
sent him
is being
discovered
by Saul
it's no
accident
this is
God's
direction
which
kingdom
is forever
the one
who listens
to the
Lord
patiently
waits on
God
even when
it seems
foolish
in the
eyes
of the
world
Andrew
Fuller
drew a
wonderful
application
from this
true faith
does not
outrun
providence
but waits
for a
clear
warrant
the command
to go
into the
land
of Judah
was a
command
to return
to the
place
of promise
and danger
it teaches
us that we
are safer
in a
forest
by God's
command
than in a
castle
of our
own
choosing
amen
well that's
what we
get at the
scene that
begins
in the
palace
of Moab
and ends
in the
forest
of Judah
the third
scene is
this
a tamarisk
tree
I had to
look up
what is a
tamarisk
tree
and in the
USA they are
an invasive
species that
destroy others
but in Israel
they're native
so I don't
I'm not going to
read any symbolism
into it
it just was
a tree
up on a
high place
in the land
of the
Benjamin tribe
Gibeah
capital
the headquarters
for Saul
and it was
common for
there to be
these big
trees on
high places
which it
gives you
shade
in an
arid
nation
and a
good vantage
point to
look out
over all
the land
and see
the major
trade routes
coming through
if there's
foot soldiers
posing a
threat
you've got
a good
place to
look at
it from
well in
this next
scene
beginning at
verse 6
the focus
moves from
David to
Saul
when Saul
heard that
David and
the men
who were
with him
had been
discovered
Saul was
staying in
Gibeah
under a
tamarisk
tree
and the
Hebrew word
is
at
Ramah
and that
made me
immediately
think of
Samuel
remember
Samuel is
from those
mountain peaks
called Ramah
but it's
just the same
Hebrew word
and it means
a high place
I wondered
though
because the
Hebrew makes
you think
of Samuel
if it's
also supposed
to like
help us
foreshadow
what's about
to happen
next
how God
prophesied
through
Samuel
something
to do
with
the
priest
of the
line
of
Eli
do you
remember
that
so keep
that in
the back
of your
mind
as you
heard that
Hebrew word
for high
place
and notice
the picture
that is
painted for
us in
God's word
in our
mind's eye
of Saul
up on a
high place
where you
can see
all around
no one
can sneak
up on
him
in the
shade
with his
spear
in his
hand
Saul
sits there
plotting
murder
with a
conscience
obviously
seared
and hardened
by the
world
and by
Satan
and all
his servants
are standing
about him
what he
says next
in verse
seven
gives us
an insight
into his
spiritual
condition
he's a
troubled
man full
of suspicion
and inward
misery
verse seven
hear now
you
Benjamites
he's reminding
them you're
loyal to
our tribe
so it's the
king causing
division within
a nation
will this
son of
Jesse
I wonder
if that's
deliberate
as well
remember
Saul heard
that David
has been
discovered
and his
family is
no longer
in Bethlehem
with all
their land
where's
Jesse
now
will he
give every
one of you
fields
and vineyards
well obviously
his own
family lost
all of that
what is he
going to give
you that I
can't
will he
make you
captains
of thousands
and captains
of hundreds
and then in
verse eight
he says all
of you have
conspired
against me
it's almost
like instead
of just
comparing himself
to David
now he's
just complaining
and whining
and there is
no one
who reveals
to me
that my
son has
made a
covenant
with the
son of
Jesse
and there
is no
one of
you who
is sorry
for me
this is
Saul's
tone
Spurgeon
observed
Saul
accuses
everyone
of
conspiracy
because
his own
heart
is not
right
with God
he complains
no one
is sorry
for him
for the
selfish man
always believes
the whole
world is in
debt
to his
sorrows
while he
ignores
the grief
he causes
the Lord's
anointed
that's the
end of
Spurgeon's
demolition
of Saul
which
kingdom
will last
forever
Saul
rages
Benjamin
Keith
pointed out
against the
covenant
between his
son and
David
because
Saul
cannot
comprehend
a covenant
based on
love
and divine
election
rather than
political
advantage
you know
in
Corinthians
the church
that's in
covenant
with God
based on
God's
divine
election
and love
for us
in Christ
before the
foundations
of the
world
that's an
aroma of
death
to the
world
but to
those who
are sick
of the
pattern
of the
world
it's an
aroma
of life
they're
drawn
to that
the
quote
goes on
as Saul
viewed the
covenant
between
Jonathan
and David
as a
conspiracy
so the
carnal
mind
views the
secret
purposes
of God
in the
covenant
of grace
as a
threat
to its
own
earthly
sovereignty
which
kingdom
lasts
forever
that's
the end
of the
tamarisk
tree scene
per se
because now
we have
another
character
catching up
with us
from the
previous
chapter
look at
verse 6
I'm sorry
verse 9
then answered
Doeg
the Edomite
the Edomites
were descendants
of Esau
who did not
want the
covenant
blessing
and he
was set
over the
servants
of Saul
we're told
in the
previous
chapter
he was
the chief
herdsman
there's a
little reminder
remember Saul's
the one
always chasing
his donkeys
around
he's not
a shepherd
among the
sheep
he's the
one driving
a herd
and this
is his
chief
herdsman
and he
said
I saw
the son
of Jesse
going to
Nob
to Ahimelech
the son
of Ahitub
verse 9
he's bearing
true witness
right
verse 10
he inquired
of the
Lord
for him
and gave
him
provisions
and gave
him the
sword of
Goliath
the Philistine
he mentions
the sword
of Goliath
the Philistine
specifically
this has been
preserved you could
say in the
national
museum
you know
this is
something we're
very proud
of
and God
is reminding
him this
victory was
of my
power
my doing
and this
symbol of
my power
working through
man is going
to this
anointed
one
and now
Doeg
while technically
these words
were true
the way in
which he said
it the effect
it had on
Saul
omitting
the fact
that the
priest also
had words
and questioning
and thinking
through and
was acting
in innocence
following God's
moral law
all of that's
left out
of his
report
Spurgeon
commented
Doeg is the
very pattern
of a
malicious
tongue
he tells
the truth
but with
a lying
intent
he saw
the son
of Jesse
at the
house of
God
but his
heart
was with
Saul's
spear
as the
next
actions
make very
clear
verse 11
so the
king sent
to call
Ahimelech
the priest
the son
of Ahitab
and all
his father's
house
the priests
who were
in Nob
and they
all came
to the
king
what a
sight that
would be
all of
the priests
of the
line
of Ahitab
meaning
descendants
of Eli
and before
that
descendants
of Aaron
all
traveling
now
taking
time
coming
all the
way
to give
their
audience
to the
king
Saul
in verse
12
Saul said
hear me
now
son of
Ahitab
doesn't
even call
him
priest
mediator
representative
of the
most high
God
no fear
of God
no respect
for the
office
that God
appointed
he answered
here I am
my Lord
Saul says
why have you
conspired
against me
you and
the son
of Jesse
and that
you have
given
him bread
and a sword
and have
inquired
of God
for him
that he
should rise
against me
to lie
in wait
as in
this day
well we
don't know
the body
language
of king
Saul
we know
the spear
is always
in his
hand
and put
yourself
in the
position
of this
priest
the
himalek
showing
up
being
accused
having
this
malicious
witness
set him
up
what
testimony
would you
give
for those
who have
legal training
notice also
a very
broken
courtroom
here
we could
call this
scene
the hellish
courtroom
Saul's
the prosecutor
he's also
going to be
the judge
Doeg is
the witness
he proves
to be a
malicious
witness
who also
turns out
to be
the executioner
it's a
courtroom
from hell
verse 14
so Ahimelech
answered the
king and
said
who among
all your
servants
is as
faithful
as
David
bring
it on
King
Saul
he's
the king's
son-in-law
he goes
at your
bidding
he's
honored
in your
house
in other
words
I have
no idea
that you're
against him
I'm a
priest
doing what
priests do
that's my
job
verse 15
did I
then begin
to inquire
God for
him
far be it
from me
I didn't
begin then
I consult
with him
I minister
to him
because he's
an Israelite
anyone in
God's
covenant
I'm
going to
serve
and minister
to
let not
the king
impute
anything
to his
servant
saying
Saul
don't
throw
on me
guilt
that I
didn't
deserve
in this
case
I am
innocent
is what
he's
saying
or to
any of
the house
of my
father
for your
servant
knew nothing
of all
of this
little
or much
I had
no idea
of all
your
conspiracy
theories
King
Saul
priest
gives a
bold
witness
and at
the cost
of his
own
life
he
speaks
well
of
God's
anointed
one
he
stands
up
against
this
tyrant
and this
is his
highest
duty
to bear
witness
for the
savior
for the
deliverer
the
anointed
messiah
even
if
it
cost
you
your
life
verse
16
the king
said
you shall
surely
die
a
himalek
didn't
consider
his
plea
of
innocence
and
he
extends
now
the
punishment
beyond
the one
who he
thinks
has
messed
up
unto
him
and
all
his
father's
house
verse
17
then
the
king
said
to
the
guards
who
stood
about
him
turn
and
kill
the
priests
of the
Lord
because
their
hand
is also
with
David
and
because
they
knew
when
he
fled
and
did
not
tell
it
to
me
I
love
how
Spurgeon
takes
this
scene
and
helps
us
to
see
a
pattern
in
all
the
Old
Testament
that
continues
on
in
the
church
in
previous
chapter
Saul's
spear
had
missed
David
so
now
Saul
turns
it
against
the
priests
of
the
Lord
here's
the
pattern
it
is
the
old
story
of
the
serpent
trying
to
bruise
the
heel
of
the
woman
seed
when
he
cannot
reach
the
head
he
strikes
the
members
of
the
body
don't
we
see
that
over
and
over
and
over
and
over
that's
the
end
of
Spurgeon's
quote
and
now
Saul
gives
a
command
for
the
servants
to
kill
the
entire
line
of
priests
and
this
command
was
null
legally
not
a
legitimate
command
because
it
contradicts
the
law
of
God
himself
could
the
command
of
the
king
of
kings
is
the
one
that
appointed
these
priests
to
do
their
job
and
to
have
the
right
of
a
due
process
but
the
servants
of
the
king
would
not
lift
their
hands
to
strike
the
priests
of
the
Lord
and
this
refusal
by
the
guards
it's
a
good
example
for
us
that
when
man's
government
commands
the
slaughter
of
the
innocent
we
must
!
So
Doeg
the
Edomite
turned
and
struck
the
priests
and
killed
on
that
day
85
men
who
wore
a
linen
ephod
the
linen
ephod
if
you
remember
that's
what
the
priests
would
put
on
to
indicate
they're
going
to
now
go
and
had
they've
been
purified
they will
now
perform
their
duties
as
priests
this
is a
horrible
slaughter
think of
the significance
of what's
happening
here
the
priests
were
men
who
had
been
set
apart
for
the
Lord
they
belonged
to
God
this
is
Saul
robbing
God
and
by
doing
so
cutting
off
at
the
same
time
anyway
for
him
or
the
entire
nation
to
now
have
peace
with
God
mediated
to
them
through
the
ceremonial
law
Saul
is
excommunicating
himself
from
God
verse
19
also
the
entire
city
of
Nob
the
city
of
the
priests
Doeg
went
and
struck
with
the
edge
of
the
sword
both
men
and
women
children
listen
to
these
details
and
nursing
infants
oxen
and
donkeys
and
sheep
with
the
edge
of
the
sword
which
kingdom
is
forever
remember
in
1
Samuel
15
God
told
Saul
to
go
and
do
exactly
that
to
the
wicked
enemies
the
Amalekites
and
instead
Saul
kept
the
cattle
and
gave
it
to
the
people
and
let
the
king
live
even
the
king
of
that
pagan
nation
that
hated
God
now in
verse
18
Saul
is
Saul
and
Saul
declaring
war
against
Jehovah
!
Yahweh
the
Lord
of
hosts
Saul's
heart
is now
fully
revealed
his true
allegiance
is disclosed
and
his
bondage
to
Satan
as
his
master
is
proven
and
visible
for
all
to
see
someone
observed
only a
heart
outside
of the
covenant
with
God
could be
so
hardened
as to
butcher
nursing
infants
and
priests
alike
Collins
pointed out
the city
of
Nab
became
a city
of
martyrs
in a
single
day
the
linen
ephod
the
priestly
garment
they
wore
was
no
protection
against
the
sword
of
Doeg
but
it
was
a
badge
of
glory
in
the
sight
of
God
that
white
linen
stained
with
blood
a
self
sacrificing
priest
and
a
nation
of
priests
you could
say
following
that
pattern
of
all
people
it
was
Napoleon
Bonaparte
who
at the
peak
of
his
power
wrote
this
down
Alexander
Caesar
Charlemagne
and I
have
founded
empires
but
on
what
did
we
rest
the
creations
of
our
genius
upon
force
Jesus
Christ
founded
his
empire
upon
love
and
at
this
hour
millions
of
men
would
die
for
him
amen
brothers
and sisters
we must
learn
also
from
Ahimelech's
example
and the
entire
house
of his
father
the cost
of being
with
God's
anointed
bearing
witness
to him
it may
involve
the loss
of all
of our
earthly
things
yet our
union
to
Christ
secures
for us
a place
with him
in his
city
whose
foundations
no
creature
can
threaten
amen
and this
is our
encouragement
even from
this
bloody
scene
at the
town
of
Nob
well the
last
scene
for today
is back
where we
left
David
in the
forest
of
Judah
now
one of
the sons
of Ahimelech
in verse
20
the son
of Ahitab
named
Abiathar
escaped
the
priestly
line
could not
be fully
extinguished
until the
Lord Jesus
Christ
came to
fulfill it
God
would
preserve
a priest
he would
establish
that office
and Jesus
Christ
will one
day
fulfill
it
and fill
it
forever
more
so this
priest
fled
after
David
if you
look back
at verse
5
we're told
where David
was
it was
the forest
of
Hereth
which is
in
Judah
you see
what God
is doing
he's
giving
David
and all
those
in
David's
army
a
mediator
for
God's
grace
and also
direction
from
God
even
in the
forest
he has
all they
need
for life
and
righteousness
verse
21
Abiathar
told David
that Saul
had killed
the Lord's
priests
if you
remember
back to
1st
Samuel
chapter
3
verse
14
God
said
through
Samuel
I believe
it was
I will
judge
Eli's
house
forever
for the
iniquity
which
he knows
because his
sons made
themselves
vile
and he
did not
restrain
them
so you
see how
even this
horrible
slaughter
is ultimately
under the
sovereign
good
all directing
hand
of God
our
confession
of
faith
chapter
5
paragraph
2
says
all
things
come
to
pass
unchangeably
and
certainly
in relation
to the
foreknowledge
and decree
of God
who is
the first
cause
thus
nothing
happens
to anyone
by chance
or outside
of God's
providence
yet by the
same
providence
God
arranges
all things
to occur
according
to the
nature
of second
causes
either
necessarily
freely
or in
response
to other
causes
the
mind
blowing
humbling
sovereignty
of God
through his
providence
for his
people
for his
glory
for our
good
that his
word
will always
be true
and then
we have
this wonderful
verse
22
and 23
so David
says to
Abiathar
I knew
that day
when Doeg
the Edomite
was there
that he
should
surely
tell Saul
what happened
and I have
caused the
death
of all the
persons
of your
father's
house
David's
admitting
his
weakness
he doesn't
see the
sovereignty
of God
that we
just
professed
he's
blaming
himself
and he
could tell
something in
the body
language
of Doeg
the Edomite
and even
them
him and
Abiathar
were
or Ahimelech
the priests
were faithful
to do
what they
thought
was right
even knowing
this is
might how
it turned
out
and now
listen to
verse 23
and in one
sense the
whole chapter
builds to
this wonderful
verse
David
says to
Abiathar
the only
survivor
stay
with me
do not
fear
I wonder
how David
could say
that at
this point
and he
seems to
have even
more confidence
he says
for he
who seeks
my life
shall
seek
your life
but with
me
you
shall
be
safe
where
does
this
confidence
come
from
go back
one more
verse
again
in verse
22
he
doesn't
he's
missing
God's
providence
!
so we
don't
know
how much
time
passed
between
verse
22
and
verse
23
but what
we
do
know
from
the
Psalms
trusting
that
the
superscription
to
the
Psalms
are
inspired
is
that
in
this
crazy
chapter
David
and
drawing
David
near
to
him
and
breathing
out
scripture
through
David
in
these
moments
of
crisis
Psalm
34
and
Psalm
52
both
say
they
were
breathed
out
through
David
during
the
events
of
chapter
22
so we
get
some
insights
from
these
Psalms
that
might
answer
that
question
of
how
can
David
have
such
confidence
in
verse
23
in
Psalm
52
David
describes
himself
as
surrounded
by
those
whose
tongues
cause
destruction
with
their
razor
sharp
teeth
he
feels
weak
and
powerless
and
hunted
down
and
then
in
Psalm
34
he
says
I
am
a
poor
man
now
here's
I
believe
the
source
of
the
strength
and
the
confidence
it
comes
from
God
ministering
to
him
though
all
of
that's
true
about
my
setting
and
about
myself
David
cries
out
in
I
cry
out
to
the
Lord
the
Lord
is
near
to
those
who
come
to
him
with
a
broken
heart
he
saves
the
contrite
in
spirit
and
only
that
ministry
of
God
can
explain
verse
23
stay
with
me
do
not
fear
for
he
who
seeks
my
life
seeks
your
life
but
with
me
you
shall
be
safe
Benjamin
Keech
marveled
at this
how this
comfort
is the
comfort
of every
distressed
soul
that
flees
to
Jesus
Christ
our
enemies
are
his
enemies
our
safety
is
bound
up
in
his
life
Abiatar
lost
an
earthly
home
in
Nob
he
saw
it
all
be
covered
in
blood
but
he
found
an
eternal
security
in
the
company
of
the
anointed
one
Spurgeon
if the
sword
reaches
Abiathar
it must
first
pass
through
the
heart
of
David
you
see
the
beautiful
picture
for
us
Collins
advises
us
when we're
reading
passages
like
this
to
know
a
shadow
look
for
the
substance
as
the
shadow
of
a
man
moves
so
he
moves
so
the
shadows
of
the
Old
Testament
follow
the
person
of
Christ
in
the
substance
of
his
offices
as
prophet
priest
or
king
you
see
how
God
preserved
in
chapter
22
a
priest
and
God
preserved
a
king
one
mediates
by offering
up the
blood of
a lamb
to God
for the
forgiveness
of sins
the
other
is a
lion
who
unites
an
army
and
the
Lord
has
brought
the
two
offices
together
shadows
of
a
lion
lamb
in
Judah
Jesus
Christ
is
the
lion
lamb
of
Judah
preserved
prepared
anointed
by
God
he is
the
priest
he is
the
lamb
he's
the
king
he's
the
good
shepherd
brothers
and
sisters
under
Adam's
curse
and
our
own
sin
piled
on
Satan
stood
with
a
spear
in
his
hand
pointing
at
each
one
of
us
unleashing
all
his
assassins
to
devour
us
but
Jesus
Christ
put
himself
between
us
and
sure
death
the
spear
has
to
go
through
me
before
it
will
get
to
my
people
and
it
did
our
Lord
Jesus
on
the
old
bloody
wooden
cross
disarmed
the
devil
he
conquered
death
he
crushed
the
enemy's
head
Satan
is
powerless
inside
of
Christ's
kingdom
and
it
begins
in
Judah
then
Judea
and
Samaria
all of
Israel
and
to
the
ends
of
the
world
including
all of
us
from
every
nation
tribe
and
tongue
and
we
are
welcomed
as
our
call
to
worship
reminded
us
in
Romans
we
are
welcomed
by
King
Jesus
Satan
is
powerless
in
his
kingdom
until
the
devil
can
destroy
the
king
of
glory
as
someone
put
it
he
cannot
touch
the
humblest
most
bankrupt
soul
that
has
ever
fled
to
find
refuge
in
Jesus
Christ
amen
Jesus
says
to
you
and
me
stay
with
me
do
not
fear
the
safety
of
his
army
the
safety
of
us
his
sheep
it's
guaranteed
by the
presence
and the
power
of
Jesus
Christ
the
good
shepherd
as
believers
we are
hid
with
Christ
in
God
the
body
they
may
kill
his
word
abideth
still
his
kingdom
is
forever
amen
let's
thank him
and praise
him
oh
lord
thank you
for how
you show
us your
kingdom
for how
by your
spirit
you draw
us
into
your
kingdom
thank you
for the
reality
and the
power
of your
kingdom
help us
to know
you
lord
to stay
with you
and to
not fear
we long
for that
day lord
when your
glory will
be on
full display
for all
to see
and until
then we pray
that you
give us
more faith
to trust
you lord
that your
word
will not
fail
your
kingdom
is
forever
amen
as