1 Samuel 22:1 "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: ..."

Here, David's solitude with God strengthened him and made him an attractive leader.

His brothers were seeing him in a different light. When the family recognises God's anointing, others will. The character of those who came, show David to be seen as one who could understand the times and the needs of people. (1 Samuel 22:1-2 ).

Through lack of right action on the part of Saul. Sheep without a shepherd, harassed.

Caused possibly by the mismanagement of Saul's government.

They were unsatisfied and without vision. In David, these people saw one who could properly shepherd them, who could bring proper management to civil affairs, and could impart vision. He reflected a greater than a David, who is Pathfinder, Protector and Prospers His people. In the privacy of the cave there was greater spiritual and leadership growth than took place in the public court. Several psalms are co-related with this period in David's life. Reading them gives a picture of commitment to God, and growth of confidence in God. (Psalms 10, 13, 27 )

Refuge was sought for David's parents in Moab (1 Samuel 22:3-4 ), there he had family ties (Ruth 1:4 and 4:21-22 ). We also are to obey the first commandment with promise. "Honour your father and mother." (Ephesians 6:2 NKJV).

It must have been a great encouragement to have the prophet Gad join his company. David obeyed the prophetic word to go to the land of Judah.

1 Samuel 22:5 "Now the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth."

Saul is seen to have set aside everything else in devoting himself to the capture of David (1 Samuel 22:6-8 ). Doeg the Edomite tells of David's secret visit to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 22:9-10 ), implying conspiracy. This case is an example of bearing false witness - because only part and not the whole truth was said. Doeg became the slayer of innocents. What terrible consequences followed David's deception. Deception is never right, no matter how expedient it may appear at the time. (1 Samuel 22:11-19 ).

David assumed full responsibility for the terrible outcome of his deception. A leader who fairly faces up to his failures and seeks to right, where he can the wrong, is one who can be followed confidently. David offered sanctuary and protection to Abiather the surviving priest (1 Samuel 22:20-23 ), who is mentioned by the Lord Himself, as giving the holy bread to David and the young men who were with him (Mark 2:26 ).

God's prophetic word to go to Judah brought deliverance to Keilah from the murdering Philistines. (1 Samuel 23:1 ). Having God's mind on any planned action is important in serving Him. David got God's word to fight at Keilah. When his men questioned it, he went to God again (1 Samuel 23:2-4 ). David is now not trusting natural assessment - His confidence is in what God says. Doing what God says saves the day. David's action on God's word resulted in victorious deliverance. David was doing with his men what should have occupied Saul. How important it is to hear - trust - and obey.

They serve their own purposes (1 Samuel 23:7-8 ). Sad to see Saul totally disregarding Keilah's plight, yet mobilising Israel to go to Keilah to besiege David. (1 Samuel 23:9 ). What a warning to self-serving leaders.

David's questions were to the point - he learned he was not safe in the walled city and that he would be betrayed (1 Samuel 23:9-12 ). When service is directed to God himself He never disappoints us. David helped the people of Keilah because he was wholeheartedly serving God. Had he been just serving people, his disappointment in them would have been great. David had the ephod - Abiather could help him inquire of the Lord. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. (1 Samuel 23:6,9. Romans 8:14 )

Just as it was with David and his 600 men - protection is found in the Lord's leading.

1 Samuel 23:14 "... And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand."

1 Samuel 23:16 "And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."

What a comfort to David to hear his friend's declaration of faith in his future (1 Samuel 23:17-18 ). When treachery strikes and puts His servants in a corner, God can be depended on to deliver (1 Samuel 23:19-29 ). How incredibly God delivered progenitors of Christ after the flesh. David knew in a remarkable way the truth of Psalm 34:19. We too, have "the Rock of escaping" (1 Samuel 23:28 ). And our spiritual "Engedi" (1 Samuel 23:29 ).

"Engedi: i.e, the spring of the kid, an oasis east of Hebron above the shores of the Dead Sea; known for its lush vineyards. (Song of Solomon 1:14 )". Ryrie

Matthew Henry comments: "We have hitherto had Saul seeking an opportunity to destroy David, and to his shame could never find it; in this chapter David had a fair opportunity to destroy Saul, and, to his honour, he did not make use of it; and his sparing Saul's life was as great an instance of God's grace in him as the preserving of his own life was God's providence over him."

Success is not always an indicator of God's personal approval.

1 Samuel 24:1,2 "And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. ² Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats."

David's men thought that this was the day God had delivered Saul into his hand - meaning he should rid himself of Saul (1 Samuel 24:4 ). David believed it was an opportunity for grace. The real test of such opportunities is whether we will act for self or for God's glory.

1 Samuel 24:4-6 "... And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul's robe. ⁵ Now it happened afterward that David's heart troubled him because he had cut Saul's robe. ⁶ And he said to his men, "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.""

Compare Romans 13:1-7. It must be remembered that God is our highest authority. No leader should be allowed to force us in going contrary to God's Word - or to disobey His law.

He sets up and puts down (1 Samuel 24:6 ). The man of God can afford to wait God's time for his vindication, and for God to give recognition, so does not need to take preventive, destructive action into his own hands.

1 Samuel 24:9 "And David said to Saul: "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Indeed David seeks your harm'?"

Read carefully 1 Samuel 24:8-15.

"Though he would not take the opportunity to slay him, yet he wisely took the opportunity, if possible, to slay his enmity, by convincing him that he was not such a man as he took him for." Matthew Henry

The evidence that the notion was false that he wanted to hurt Saul was the cut off piece of Saul's robe in his hand (1 Samuel 24:11 ). When seeking change in another we must present convincing proofs of good-will.

	First: Show the injustice of listening to slander (1 Samuel 24:9 ).
	Second: Show how the fear of God keeps you from retaliation (1 Samuel 24:10 ).
	Third: Show positive actions which prove faithfulness (1 Samuel 24:11 ).
	Fourth: Show how you give your word not to render harm (1 Samuel 24:12 ).
	Fifth: Show that behaviour pattern should prevent believing further evil reports (1 Samuel 24:13 ).
	Sixth: Show how perfectly harmless you are (1 Samuel 24:14 ).
	Seventh: Show full responsible accountability to God (1 Samuel 24:15 ).

1 Samuel 24:17 "Then he said to David: "You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil."

Shamed Saul made recognition of David being the future king and asked for David's word not to take revenge on Saul's family or descendants - which promise David kept. Saul did not truly repent as we shall see - neither did David trust Saul whose changeable conduct he had proof enough of.

1 Samuel 24:22 "... David and his men went up to the stronghold."

"They that, like David, are innocent as doves, must thus, like David, be wise as serpents" - Matthew Henry

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What kind of people were attracted to David when he was in the cave of Adullam? (1 Samuel 22:1-4 ).
2. Why did David leave Adullam? (1 Samuel 22:5 )
3. Was Doeg the Edomite an example of bearing false witness and its terrible consequences? (1 Samuel 22:6-10 ).
4. Is deception ever expedient, and should full responsibility for its consequences be confessed? (1 Samuel 22:11-19,22 ).
5. How important is it to victorious service to check that we have God's mind on the action planned? (1 Samuel 23:1-4 ).
6. How was David benefited by the arrival of Abiather with the ephod? (1 Samuel 23:6,9 ). What kind of sure guidance do the people of God have today? (Romans 8:14 ).
7. What value do you put on the encouragement and strengthening of a true friend? (1 Samuel 23:16-17 ).
8. Can you testify that you have a rock of escaping? (1 Samuel 23:28 ).
9. Would you act vengefully if one who wronged you was put in your power, or would you wait for God to take His own action? (1 Samuel 24:4-6 ).
10. How would you deal with one who by his deeds showed a wrong spirit towards you? (1 Samuel 24:8-15 ).