TAKING REFUGE IN GOD
So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. I Samuel 22:1
David fled from the presence of King Saul, his father-in-law, after Jonathan confirmed that King Saul was intent on killing him. David and some of his men hastily came to the place of the priests. They got some bread, and David was given the sword of Goliath that had been kept there. Then they went to the Philistine city of Gath thinking King Saul would not look for them there. It soon was apparent that David, having slain so many Philistines including Goliath of Gath, was not going to be trusted or welcome. So, David pretended to be out of his mind. He slobbered all over his beard and did incoherent things. When David was brought before the King of Gath, he said, “Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me?" (1 Sam. 21:15). So David escaped from there to the cave of Adullam. It was truly a low point in his life, especially after his meteoric rise in Israel slaying Goliath and leading many successful battles.
David apparently put a prayer to God in music crying out to the Lord for protection from those who would seek to kill him. We know this because of the title of Psalm 57. Ironically the cave of Adullam means cave of Refuge. "Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by" (Psalm 57:1). Even in David's sorrow and desperation, He saw God as his help. One may ask how could God put his chosen king through all this? Then one remembers that our Savior, His precious unique Son, was put through the cross. Perhaps it comes clear that God has a greater good in mind. This experience pruned David to bear more fruit. It built greater compassion into him. Men began to come to the cave of Refuge. Men who were in distress, in debt and discontent gathered to the hope of David's God upwards of 400 men (1 Sam. 22:2). It reminds us of the Savior's words, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls..." (Matt. 11:28-29).
Russ Simpson