It seems Saul's jealousy has reached it's capacity and he is set on destroying David. What a sad day for David and Jonathan as they said goodbye in the field.
David runs... first to get supplies from the priest. Unfortunately, David did not share the truth with the priest, which later caused the death of the priest and 84 others who "wore the linen ephod," as well as their families.
Ellen White writes: "Here [David] manifested a want of faith in God, and his sin resulted in causing the death of the high priest. Had the facts been plainly stated, Ahimelech would have known what course to pursue to preserve his life. God requires that truthfulness shall mark His people, even in the greatest peril." (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 655)
Next, David seeks refuge with Achash, King of Gath. Again, fear overtakes him and again he uses deception to get his way....
A few pages later in Patriarchs and Prophets, we are told the following:
"The first error of David was his distrust of God at Nob, and his second mistake was his deception before Achish. David had displayed noble traits of character, and his moral worth had won him favor with the people; but as trial came upon him, his faith was shaken, and human weakness appeared... Yet this experience was serving to teach David wisdom; for it led him to realize his weakness and the necessity of constant dependence upon God. Oh, how precious is the sweet influence of the Spirit of God as it comes to depressed or despairing souls, encouraging the fainthearted, strengthening the feeble, and imparting courage and help to the tried servants of the Lord! Oh, what a God is ours, who deals gently with the erring and manifests His patience and tenderness in adversity, and when we are overwhelmed with some great sorrow! Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of faith." (pp. 656-657)
Many lessons we can learn from David's flight... I wish I had time to get into talking about the "Cave of Adullam." Such richness in this refuge!
Tomorrow's Reading: 1 Sam. 23-24 and Mark 16
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