1 Samuel 22:1-5 – Blessing and Growth
Having escaped from Gath David takes refuge in the cave of Adullam. Here men begin to gather to him. These are men who will protect, guard, and support him. They are men in difficult circumstances (verse 2) who will be blessed by him. Later on we read of lists of David’s Mighty Men, Israel’s heroes and champions. I wonder was this the beginning of them; were these the good old days in which deep bonds were forged and of which fireside tales were told. Certainly here God is putting in place the beginnings of a kingdom, or ‘an administration’, as we would say today.
His family come to him here. His father, who wouldn’t even invite him to a feast, and his brothers who mocked him before Goliath. Now they seek shelter from him, and he can provide it. In leaving his parents in Moab, he reveals a growing commitment to God’s plan and ways. They were not safe in God’s land, so he sent them to the land of his great-grandmother Ruth. They will stay there until God makes his will clear to him. David is now waiting in faith, rather than running in fear.
In obeying the prophet Gad’s instructions (verse 5) David sets himself apart from Saul. Saul was rejected because he disobeyed the prophet, or, rather, disobeyed God speaking through his prophet. Here is David, “one better than [Saul]” (15:28).
Yes, there has been folly, falsehood, and faltering faith, but there is a faith that is growing, and, as a result, an obedience that is growing. God is not looking for perfection in his people this side of glory, but he is looking for progress. The Christian life is like a plant. It starts small like a seed, it grows slowly, but it grows big, until one day it is a big strong tree bearing fruit. How do you tell the difference between a dead and a living plant? By green shoots, growth, and fruit. So it is with the Christian. There may be folly, falsehood, and faltering faith; but is there also growing faith and growing obedience?
Questions
- Can you look back over the last year and see any areas of growth in your Christian life?
Prayer Points
- Ask for God to show you the areas of growing faith and obedience in your life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.