Day 107, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Samuel 21:1–22:5; Psalm 34; Psalm 56; 1Chronicles 12:8-18
Escape and Deliverance
What are some situations from which people would like to escape?
- An embarrassing scene?
- High-stress?
- Temptation?
- A life-threatening circumstance?
When is it best to flee? In our last chronological Bible study, we saw King Saul’s treatment of David become dangerous. He was jealous of David’s success. It was time for him to escape!
Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. (1Samuel 19:11-12, NIV)
A person might argue, if God is on your side, why should you ever have to flee? Perhaps David wondered the same thing. However, many times God uses a man or a woman to give good counsel or help, and the wise man listens and obeys. As we shall see, David’s flight is in the providential will of God.
David’s escape, however, is a low point in his life. He is a hero, having defeated Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior who defied the armies and God of Israel. Afterward, David fought great military battles and always with tremendous success because the LORD was with him. David even became a son-in-law to King Saul and a personal best friend of Jonathan, the king’s son. Everything was looking favorable for David until Saul grew into a jealous monster.
Now David is a wanted man! What happened? Has God deserted him?
Some of us might relate to David. After significant victories, we feel on top of a mountain. Then we fall into valleys of disillusionment, discouragement, depression, and despair. When we are physically weak, we can become spiritually weak. That is when we are most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. He loves to defeat us.
When David is weak from hunger and Saul’s pursuit, he does some things which are uncharacteristic of him. First, David flees to Nob, one of the assigned towns for priests to reside. The tabernacle has not yet found a resting place in Jerusalem. It moves around and is now in Nob.
The priest asks why David is here, his purpose for coming, and why he is unarmed. David lies. He says that King Saul sent him on an urgent mission, and he and his small band of men are hungry. They are looking for help anywhere they can find it. The priest gives them the day-old dedicated bread, due for replacement. They gladly receive it. David also recovers from the priest, the sword of Goliath the Philistine, which he left after he killed him. Unfortunately, Doeg, the head-shepherd of King Saul, is there and observes everything. He will soon betray David’s whereabouts.
After Nob, David escapes to Gath, the territory of the Philistines. Perhaps, he thinks Saul will not dare pursue him there in enemy territory. The Philistines capture David (Psalm 56:1), but cleverly, he acts insane in the presence of the king, and they let him go. David is operating by his wits and working out of fear. When we are in trouble, it is best to pray for direction from God when we make our escape, but David is learning.
David writes Psalm 34 after his experience in Gath. He says,
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame [unlike the time when David let his spittle run down his face to appear to be insane before Achish, king of Gath].This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:4-8; 17-19, 22, NIV)
Focus Verse
Psalm 34:8 (NIV) “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Discussion
What should we do when we need to escape?
When does the Devil like to attack us?
We will make mistakes along the way, but what should we be learning like David?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: David is Pursued, Victimized, and Stalked—what can [he] do about it? If we were in a similar situation, what could we do? Join us for our Next Lesson.
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