1 Samuel 22

David did not ask to be king of Israel. But it was the will of the Lord.

The journey he was on now was one from which he could not escape. He would not be entirely alone. Suddenly he was surrounded by a surprisingly large number of outcasts and misfits. And here we are today, telling the Lord through tears that we will serve Him to the end by the grace that He supplies. Such as we are, we are His team.

Any who would be associated with David would receive the death sentence that was upon his head. He knew this, and set about to protect his father and mother in the country of Moab. He was not above seeking refuge in odd places, and he would hide those he loved wherever he could find safe haven.

If there were any doubt in the minds of the people near Saul regarding the danger of being in league with David, that doubt would be removed by the fate of the priests at Nob. Doeg the Edomite would show himself to be an evil partner of Saul's in his betrayal of those who had given bread and a sword to David and had inquired of the Lord on his behalf. Because of these kindnesses in response to David's desperate war-time deception, all the priests of the city would be put to the sword according to Saul's command. Though the leader of the priests insisted that David was faithful to Saul, the enraged king would have none of it. Eighty-five priests would die as well as their families and their animals.

Only one son of the priests would survive, Abiathar, who would escape to David and would remain with him throughout his life. David took upon himself the responsibility for Doeg's murderous betrayal. His words strike a tender chord in a time of great distress: “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”

These words are for us today who have taken refuge in the Son of David, Jesus of Nazareth. The world hated him. They will hate us also. But this Jesus is the Christ. He is Lord over all, and He will have the victory.

We may feel broken as we contemplate the ugly wrath of evil men and angels against the church. The truth of the Lord's protection for us remains the same for us today as it was for the one surviving priest of the city of Nob.

We should stay with Jesus, even if everyone else decides Him to be an imposter or a failure. Where else can we go? He has the words of life. There is no point in our being afraid. God is able to keep all who have put their trust in His Son. With Him we shall be in safekeeping, for He is the Lord of heaven and earth.