Then the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here.” And David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” (verse 9)
Message: David on the Run
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: In the last lesson, David had fled to Ramah. Now he is in Nob (verses 1-9), that is northeast of Jerusalem only about 2 1/2 miles. Ramah is about 3 miles north of Jerusalem. These are places close by. Later he will go to Gath (10-15). Gath is 40 miles in the opposite direction, west.
David is on the run. Reminds me of one of my favorite TV series, the Fugitive. Like Richard Kimble, David has been accused of something he believes he has not done. But Saul is after him, much like Samuel Gerard of the police is after Richard Kimble.
When questioned by Ahimelech, the priest there who seems a little surprised that he has met up with David as he probably knows Saul is after him, David responds with a lie in verse 2. He says he has been sent on a mission by the king and no one is to know what it is about. David needs supplies - loaves of bread. Well Ahimelech only has holy bread. He gets it defending himself that he is ceremonially clean having been denied women since the blood from their period makes one unclean. Ahimelech also for some reason has Goliath's sword and gives that to David as well.
Jesus refers to this passage as recorded in Matthew 12:1-8 citing in verses 3-4, "Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions— how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?" The idea there being that there is sometimes something greater than a law set up for ceremonial purposes only and the real issue is David's life and his eventual leadership on the throne. So the ceremonial law is allowed to not be adhered to in order to save David's life. The conflict in this instance was moral law and ceremonial. In this instance, the ceremonial law can give way. Preserving life is more important than preserving a law.
David did things and said things that were not on the surface proper. He is a sinner but his action kept him safe.
Now onto Gath. The people recognized him there and so David felt like he should display himself as being insane to get out of that situation because the king of Gath - Achish - wanted nothing to do with a crazy man.
Summary: David flees to Nob and then Gath. In Nob, the ceremonial law is broken so that David's life can be preserved and he pretends to be insane in order to keep him free from custody of the king in Gath.
Promise: Perhaps at times, though actions seems wrong, they are justifiable in the situation.
Prayer: Lord, life is of utmost important always and your purposes in life are most important. Perhaps sometimes life gets in the way of this and the way of the world needs to adjust to the way of God. Give me wisdom and guidance as I speak to people and help me to know how to respond to others. Life is hard and it seems at times people are trying to catch us in a contradiction. Lord, what is important is your love and your plan for me - peace in this life, in your presence for all eternity. Keep my eyes on the prize.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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