Today I read 1 Samuel 22, in which David’s flight from Saul continues with family and others joining him in Adullam. Ahimelech’s son also joined David’s group after Saul had Ahimelech’s family killed. Today I considered that sometimes when we are fleeing we also need to make sure our family and others helping us are safe.
Others Join the Flight
A leader fleeing is joined by family and others in distress needing his safety (1 Samuel 22:1-23). David fled to the cave Adullam. David’s father’s family along with distressed and indebted people joined him there. David now led 400 men. David took his parents to Mizpeh and asked the king of Moab to let his mother and father stay there. Prophet Gad told David to leave and go to Judah. Doeg, king Saul’s servant that was in Nob, told Saul that priest Ahimelech aided David and also inquired of God for him. Saul had Ahimelech and all Ahimelech’s father’s family come from Nob to see him. Ahimelech said he thought David was loyal to Saul but he did not inquire of God for David. Saul told his footmen to kill the priests but his servants would not kill them. Doeg, the Edomite, killed the priests then went killing everyone including women, children, and animals in Nob. Ahimelech’s son Abiathar escaped and told David what happened. David had Abiathar join his group for safety. When a leader learns others are not safe, they can put some in a safe location while taking others with them.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
When a person declares you an enemy, you may not automatically think they will target your family, friends, and those that aid you. Saul declared himself and enemy of David. David did not automatically think he needed to protect his family and those that aided him. David found out from them coming to him that he needed to keep them safe. God’s word shows us that when we know we have powerful enemies, we should warn our people and put protections in place to keep them safe.
Have you seen someone targeted because they were someone’s family or friend? How could a warning and safety measures have made the difference?