David flees and priests are slain

1 Samuel Chapter 22

David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam, where his brothers and other relatives joined him. Others began to come also, men who were in trouble, debt or discontented, until David was the leader of about four hundred men. Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab where he asked the king if his mother and father could live there protected until David knew what God was going to do with him. The king agreed and his parents stayed there.

One day the prophet Gad told David to leave his stronghold and return to the land of Judah. So he went to the forest of Hereth and the news of his arrival in Judah soon reached Saul. Saul told the men of Benjamin that David made many promises like giving them fields and vineyard, but he had never made any of them a commander in his army. He told them that he knew his own son had conspired against him on David's side and nobody was sorry for the king. Then Doeg and Edomite spoke up and he told the men that he saw David in Nob talking to Ahimelech the priest. He told them Ahimelech consulted the Lord to find out what David should do, then he gave David food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

Saul sent for Ahimelech and all his family who served as priests in Nob. He accused Ahimelech of conspiring against him by giving David food and a sword and inquiring of God for him and encouraging David to revolt against him and attack him.

Ahimelech responded that there was nobody among Saul's servants who was as faithful as David. He said he had no knowledge of a plot against Saul. But the King ordered his men to kill the priest along with his entire family for being allies of David. But his men refused to kill the Lord's priests.

Then Saul told Doeg to do it and Doeg turned on them and killed eighty-five priests, all still wearing their tunics. Then he went to Nob and killed all the priests' families, including women, children and babies, and all livestock.

Only Abiathar, one of Ahimelech's sons escaped and fled to David. When he told David that Saul killed the priests of the Lord, David said he knew when he saw Doeg that day, that he would tell Saul. David blamed himself for causing the death of the priests and their families. He told Abiathar to stay with him and he would protect him with his own life.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The men who came to David in the cave were outcasts who joined David, an outlaw. He used his resourcefulness and ability to lead and motivate them. This group ventually formed the core of his military leadership and produced his mightiest men.
Saul's killing of his own priests show his mental and emotional instability and how far he had strayed from God.
Why did God allow 85 inocent priests to be killed? Their deaths served to dramatize to the nation how a king could become an evil tyrant. Where were the elders and advisors? Sometimes God allows evil to develop to teach us not to let evil systems flourish.
Abiathar escaped to David with an ephod, containing the Urim and Thummim, two objects David needed to consult with God. Later David install Abiathar as new high priest and he remained in that position during David's entire reign.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Kind of hard to relate to killing of innocent people by a king. But this kind of thing happens in countries all the time. I think right now of Africa and the middle east. We need a leader like David who is guided by God. Someone guided by God's power and with superior leaderhsip skills. Someone to bring the people to God and help them to see that God is the answer. You may not see killing in your everyday life, but you see evil all around you. Just look on television for killings everyday. God does not promise to protect good people from evil, but he does promise that ultimately all evil will be abolished. And those that remain faithful through their trials will experience great rewards in the age to come. Keep the Faith!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Arlene’s nephew David, Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family and my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, is now able to speak and is working on rehab for paralysis. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.