1 Samuel 21

What are we capable of when we give ourselves over to madness? Who will we kill?

Saul was after David, and David was on the run. Who would die because of Saul's spirit of envy and murder? Would David and those who were with God's new anointed one be able to survive so that this new phase of the kingdom of God would come?

The son of Jesse needed food, and he was willing to misrepresent his mission, and to eat consecrated bread that was only for the priests. Yet there was something bigger going on here than the use of ceremonial bread. The true king had come, but no one could be aware of that yet.

There was a man who was witness to this interchange, Doeg the Edomite, who would remember these events and mention them to Saul at an opportune time. We are told that he was “detained before the Lord.” He would have his part to play in events that would lead to the loss of many lives. More on that in the next chapter.

For now, David received the Lord's provision of consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath with which he had once cut off the head of the Philistine.

David was even forced to hide his life among the Philistines of Gath for a time. Gath was the hometown of Goliath, and there was certainly danger for him there. The servants of the king of Gath recognized David as a mortal enemy, revealing that they too had heard of the song of the women of Israel, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Would David flee from Saul only to meet his death at the hands of the Philistines? David recognized the seriousness of the moment. He heard what was being said about him and changed his behavior. He was no longer David the fearless slayer of the enemies of Israel, but David the madman. What danger was he to the king of Gath as he drooled out of one side of his mouth and made marks on the doors of the gate?

Through these strange behaviors, this brave, loyal, very sane, chosen servant of the Lord, would live on, and the line of the Messiah would be preserved.

Jesus brings up this episode in the gospels when he and his band of men are being criticized for their kingdom activity. He does not accuse David of sin for his actions either at Nob or Gath.

Whatever we may think of David, we know that we would be wrong if we were to join those who would wish to convict Jesus of sin. When the King comes in humility to save us, many would presume to criticize Him. But who will dare to question His ethics or His wisdom when He comes in glory?