ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Pulelulu Tisema 22, 2021

David..departed..and escaped to the cave of Adullam.

na‘e hiki ‘a Tēvita.. ‘o ne hola ki he ‘ana ‘o ‘Atulami

 

1 Samiuela 22 (1 Samuel 22)

(v. 1) KO ia na‘e hiki ‘a Tēvita mei he potu ko ia, ‘o ne hola ki he ‘ana ‘o ‘Atulami: pea ‘i he fanongo ki ai hono kāinga, mo e fale kotoa ‘o ‘ene tamai, na‘a nau ‘alu hifo kiate ia ‘i ai.

(v. 1) David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him

Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Leaving Gath, David took refuge in the cave of Adullam, where there gathered to him a band of the outcasts of his own people. They are graphically described as those in "distress," in "debt," and "discontented." It is quite possible that the condition of these people was the, result of the oppressions they had suffered under Saul. In any case, from the standpoint of Saul's reign, they were considered dangerous people, and were outcast. What happened to them in their contact with David is revealed in the later history, when these men became the mighty men of the new kingdom. So far as David was concerned, this was a far safer position, and a worthier occupation than that to which he had been reduced in the court of Achish.

In the meanwhile Saul filled the cup of his iniquity by ordering the slaughter of the priests because Ahimelech had helped David. One of their number, Abiathar, escaped from the slaughter, and joined David in his hiding place. It is interesting to remember that he remained with David, and was loyal to him throughout his life and reign.

All these experiences of David, both in fear and in faith, experiences as they were of adversity and trial, were undoubtedly preparing him for the responsibilities that were to fall upon him when, in fulfillment of the divine purpose, he became king of the nation.

David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 22

David therefore departed from there: David had been through a lot. He had the high of immediate fame, a recent marriage, dangers from the Philistines, repeated attempts on his life, and a heartbreaking farewell from everyday life to live as a fugitive for who knows how long. Then David had a brief but intense period of backsliding, a dramatic turn to the Lord and deliverance from a life-threatening situation.

Escaped to the cave of Adullam: This was David’s place of refuge. He couldn’t go to his house, he couldn’t go to the palace, he couldn’t go to Samuel, he couldn’t go to Jonathan, he couldn’t go to the house of the Lord, and he couldn’t go to the ungodly. But he could go to a humble cave and find refuge.

The name Adullam means refuge, but the cave wasn’t to be David’s refuge. God wanted to be David’s refuge in this discouraging time.

Most archaeologists believe that the Cave of Adullam was not too far from the place where David defeated Goliath, in the hills of Judah. David couldn’t help but consider how far he had come from a great victory to running around like a criminal, hiding in a cave.

The title of Psalm 142 reads: A Contemplation of David. A prayer when he was in the cave. So, Psalm 142 described David’s discouraged heart: I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. (Psalm 142:1-4)

The title of Psalm 57 reads A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Psalm 57 describes David as the Lord strengthened him in the cave and prepared him for what was next.

Psalm 57 shows David with a humble heart: Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! (Psalm 57:1)

Psalm 57 shows David with a prayerful heart: I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me. (Psalm 57:2)

Psalm 57 shows David with a realistic heart: My soul is among lions... they have prepared a net for my steps. (Psalm 57:4, 6)

Psalm 57 shows a heart of trusting praise to the Lord: I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations... Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalm 57:9, 5, 11)

The Lord brought David into this place while He was still in the Adullam cave. We often think we have to get out of the cave until we can have the heart David had in Psalm 57. But we can have it now, no matter what our circumstances.