David’s Faith Fails

Here David showed a lack of faith in God, and his sin resulted in the death of the high priest. If he had told the facts plainly, Ahimelech would have known what to do to preserve his life. God requires His people to tell the truth, even in the greatest peril.BOE 332.2

Doeg, chief of Saul’s herders, was fulfilling his vows in the place of worship. When David saw this man, he was determined to quickly find another place of safety. He asked Ahimelech for a sword and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath, kept as a relic in the tabernacle. David replied, “There is none like it; give it to me.”BOE 332.3

David fled to Achish, king of Gath, because he felt that there was more safety among the enemies of his people than in Saul’s kingdom. But someone told Achish that David was the man who had killed the Philistine champion years before. This put David, who was seeking safety among these enemies of Israel, in great danger. But, pretending to be insane, he deceived his enemies and was able to escape.BOE 332.4

David’s first mistake was to distrust God at Nob; his second, to deceive Achish. As trials came upon him, his faith was shaken and human weakness appeared. Everyone looked like a spy and a betrayer to him. As he was hunted and persecuted, perplexity and distress nearly hid his heavenly Father from his sight.BOE 332.5

Every failure on the part of the children of God is because of their lack of faith. When shadows cloud the soul, we must look up; there is light beyond the darkness. David should not have distrusted God. He was the Lord’s anointed. If he had just stopped dwelling on his distressing situation and had thought of God’s power and majesty, he would have had peace even in the middle of the shadows of death.BOE 332.6

David sought safety in the mountains of Judah. He escaped to the cave of Adullam, a place that he could defend with a small force, even against a large army. “So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.” The family of David could not feel secure, knowing that at any time Saul’s unreasonable suspicions might be directed against them because of their relation to David. They had now learned what was becoming generally known in Israel—that God had chosen David as the future ruler of His people, and they believed that they would be safer with him.BOE 332.7

In the cave of Adullam, the family was united in sympathy and affection. The son of Jesse could make music with his voice and harp. He had tasted the bitterness of distrust from his own brothers, and the harmony that now replaced this discord brought joy to the exile’s heart.BOE 332.8

Many people had lost confidence in the ruler of Israel, for they could see that he was no longer guided by the Spirit of the Lord. “And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented” gathered to David, and “he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.” David had a little kingdom of his own here, where there was order and discipline. But he was far from safe, for he had ongoing evidence that the king had not given up his murderous purpose.BOE 333.1

When a warning of danger came from a prophet of the Lord, David fled from his hiding place to the forest of Hereth. God was giving David a course of discipline to fit him to become a wise general as well as a just and merciful king.BOE 333.2

Saul had been preparing to trap David in the cave of Adullam, and when it was discovered that David had left this hiding place, the king was furious. David’s escape was a mystery. Had traitors in his camp informed the son of Jesse of his plans?BOE 333.3