I Samuel 22
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I Samuel 22:18-23, The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.
But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”
David heads to the places where he feels comfortable and knows there will be some safety. Adullam, which means refuge, is in Judah and close by was a hill that had fortifications and caves for hiding. David couldn’t have been too clandestine, however, because his family sought him out there, as did a few hundred Israelite men who were unhappy with the current regime and wanted David to be their commander. David takes his family to a place of safety in Moab, for he knows they are at risk simply by being related to him.
In fact, anyone who helped David was at serious risk. We see this in our focus verses for today. When Saul discovered that Ahimelek the priest gave David bread and a sword, basic provisions for his journey, King Saul was irate. His reaction was over the top evil. He decides to kill all the priests and their families. But the king’s men refuse to touch the priests. These men were the anointed of the Lord; no Israelite would touch them. But Doeg the Edomite was there, a pagan, and he was fine with killing them. So Doeg strikes down the priests, eighty-five of them, and then killed all the men, women, children, and livestock in the town of Nob, which was the town of the priests.
The priestly line was almost wiped out but not quite. One of Ahimelek’s sons, Abiathar, managed to escape and find his way to David. Now, the only remaining priest has found his way to the king-to-be and they can support one another. In this time of crisis, two men of God can lean on one another, guide each other, and protect the future of the priesthood.
Think about the events of your life. I hope they haven’t been quite as dramatic as David’s, but think specifically about some of the most difficult and desperate moments. So often, I do believe that God sends just the right person into our lives at just the right time – someone to support us, guide us, and even protect us when we need it most.
Let’s pray…Almighty God, You are so good. You know what we need before we need it and you know who we need in our lives. Help us be the kind of person that can stand by others in their times of crisis and be the light of Jesus for them. Guide us, God, and give us strength so that we can be the people you call us to be. In Your Name, Amen.