David In Exile

by J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Category: The Life And Times Of David | Apr 1972

A period of proving and preparation can usually be observed in the life of every worthy servant of God whose story adorns the page of Scripture. In some instances the experience is prolonged and arduous. So it was with David.

It is difficult to be precise as to the duration of David's exile but there can be little doubt that it spanned several years. These were years for David during which all of the vigorous powers of young manhood were crying out for opportunities of expression; when military prowess in open battle, already thoroughly established, longed to develop against the enemies of God's people; when every passing day saw Israel'8 fortunes sink slowly lower and lower whence they must one day be recovered at vast cost and effort. Not only so, but David was acutely conscious throughout that he was engaged in an unhappy conflict in which initiative was denied him. Saul was "the LORD'S anointed" and nothing 'but death could annul the far-reaching implications of this fact for the man who had himself felt the anointing oil upon his head. His unwavering loyalty to Saul is one of the brightest stars in David's crown at this period.

Let us briefly trace the sequence of events of David's exile and endeavour to follow throughout three strands of action and reaction which offer rich and varied spiritual instruction. Firstly, the attitudes and decisions of David himself; then those of individuals and groups of persons bound up with him in the circumstances of his banishment; and thirdly, the dealings with David, and on his behalf, of God Himself who ordained and ordered those years for the man after His own heart.

1 Sam. 19:18 finds David in serious flight from Saul for the first time. He knew then that the latter'~ antipathy to him was vicious and unrelenting, and he had recourse, understandably enough, to Samuel at Ramah. Received by the dear aged prophet, David no doubt felt some sense of security, a link with the God of the man of God and a renewal of the vision presented by his earlier anointing. The anonymous first of a sad series of betrayers soon led Saul to him, and despite the remarkable activity of the Spirit of God which led to the question, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" (1 Sam. 19:24), it was apparent to David that he could not remain with Samuel. There follows in chapter 20 the moving scenes of Jonathan's devotion to David in his warning by arrow, and their subsequent pledges of mutual love and respect. Do we detect with some misgiving in this narrative the earliest tendency on David's part to a certain deviousness which tarnished his nobility from time to time? We refer to the apparently untrue story of David's visit to Bethlehem as an excuse to Saul (1 Sam. 20:28,29).

David now flees to Nob to Ahimelech the priest (ch.21). Here he receives succour, including the holy shewbread and the sword of Goliath, but all under the evil eye of Doeg the Edomite. Surely David's next move to Achish king of Gath, and his return there later in the story, cannot have been in God's purpose for him at this time. The episode ended ignominiously for David and it is hard to imagine that Ahimelech counselled him in this direction. A sombre series of men of God in Scripture, beginning with Abraham himself, proved the folly of falling away temporarily to nations outside God's purpose for them.

Thereafter began the main period of David's exile, associated with the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1) and other wilderness and mountain strongholds. It is in this context that we can learn much about our own spiritual conflict, both as we view David's exemplary deportment in adversity, and as we discern in the bearing of his fellows a fine example for those who today "go forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb. 13:13). David's inspiring leadership at this period presages surely something of his greater Son who was to come and bind to Himself over the centuries the selfless devotion of the finest of redeemed mankind. It is hard to identify with the motley mob who had recourse to the cave of Adullam, the sheer splendour of gallantry depicted in the narratives of 2 Sam. 23 and 1 Chron. 11; the magnificence of Shammah in his plot of lentils; of Benaiah and Abishai, and the three reckless and fearless heroes who cut their way to the well of Bethlehem and back. Perhaps not all of these were among the distressed and discontented of 1 Sam. 22, but the magnificent achievement of David in these days in moulding this improbable band for the military exploits they were to accomplish, was outstanding. For their part, they turn our thoughts to the great Captain of our salvation and to 2 Cor. 10:4,5 - "the weapons of our warfare ... mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds ...". While some spent themselves in dangerous conflict for their revered leader, others, equally loyal and devoted, paid with their lives at a stroke. We refer particularly to the priestly victims of Doeg's treachery as recounted in 1 Sam. 22, and project our thoughts to the execution of Stephen and of James (Acts 7,12) while Peter was preserved for further spiritual conflict and Paul was repeatedly saved through manifold hazards and privations. Modern equivalents spring to mind and we bow before supreme Wisdom. "With mercy and with judgement my web of time He wove."

It was happy for David that good men and true around him could encourage, and share in his frustrations. We think of the Lord's words, "Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations; and I app6int unto you a kingdom

(Luke 22:28,29). For David suffered more than enough from opportunists who were prepared to allow the basest of ingratitude to influence their actions. Such were the men of Keilah whom David and his men saved from the Philistines (1 Sam. 23). In return their purpose was to betray David to Saul, as the Lord revealed to David on enquiry through the ephod which the fugitive Abiathar brought him. We are revolted by such despicable behaviour, yet is it not in fact repeatedly reflected in our own disloyalties to the divine Deliverer of Calvary? To Timothy the apostle appeals-"Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner" (2 Tim. 1:8). What a contrast we have in the touching faithfulness to Saul of the men of Jabesh-Gilead who never forgot their salvation at his hand and, even in the shameful circumstances of his death, risked their lives to ensure the honourable disposal of his body (1 Sam. 11:31:11-13).

David's subsequent stay 'in the wilderness of Ziph was characterized by relentless pressure on the part of Saul who "sought him every day" (1 Sam. 23:14). This is clearly reflected in David's outpourings in those Psalms which were associated with his exile. "My soul is among lions", cries God's beleaguered hero but, further, "My heart is fixed, 0 God, my heart is fixed" (Ps. 57:4,7). And again a deep throbbing spiritual confidence pervades weary wilderness days in Psalm 63, "For Thy lovingkindness is better than life; my lips shall praise Thee" (Ps. 63:3). The dispirited saint today, who feels a close kinship with David's spiritual frustrations and loneliness in those days, can with great profit ponder the resultant inspired poetry of praise.

Jonathan now pays a fleeting visit to his dear friend and "strengthened his hand in God" (1 Sam. 23:16)-a blessed interlude so characteristic of a faithful God who sends refreshing fellowship when most needed, and so upholds His hardpressed servants. More treachery by the Ziphites follows and yet further divine intervention, this time through a message to Saul of a Philistine raid. We may pause to reflect on God's rich variety of interventions on David's behalf; sometimes through direct disclosures of enemy intentions; at others through individuals; or, yet again, by means of well organised military intelligence. A simple lesson emerges for spiritual life, yet one so readily forgotten, that our God in sovereign wisdom, looks for intelligent forethought on our part combined with a sincere and prayerful trust in His loving care. The appropriate direction of help we can safely leave to His unwearying attention to our needs, as dramatically portrayed in the New Testament experience of Paul the apostle.

The cave encounter in which David cut off the skirt of Saul's robe clearly illumines the depth of the regard in which David's warriors held their leader. He violated every obvious soldierly instinct in deference to the national status of the king, and so upheld the honour of Israel as a nation, and of its monarchy. The way of Christian fife and testimony is often quite incomprehensible to the worldling. Our values derive from our Example who said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). The incident of Nabal and Abigail further amplifies our commentary on the reactions of those around to the hunted and officially rejected crown prince of Israel. The superficial and tragic opportunism of the carnal man is set against the richly rewarded wisdom of a good woman who has earned a place in the typology of the Bride of Christ. Another Ziphite betrayal (1 Sam. 26:1) is followed by yet a further deliverance of Saul into David's hand in the circumstances of the cruse of water taken from the head of the monarch while in "a deep sleep from 'the LORD". Did David fail to discern God's hand in this? For it is here that our enthralling epic takes a disappointing turn and despair appears to overtake David, "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul". Space does not permit detailed examination of the unsavoury intrigue with Achish king of Gath and with his princes, as recounted in 1 Sam. 27 and 28. The name Ziklag evokes memories of David's grievous experience in the sacking of that city. "And David was greatly distressed; ... but strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (30:6). Operating now in divine strength and wisdom rather than human, he made a full recovery and averted the only really serious recorded threat of rebellion by his stalwart followers.

David's days of rejection now draw to a close under the grim shadows of tragic mount Gilboa. The true greatness of the Lord's anointed prince shines from his unstinted eulogy of the slain Saul and Jonathan, and his summary judgement on the Amalekite whose sword ended Saul's life. Lofty and heavy responsibilities lay before David, first in Judah, then in all Israel. His standing had been vastly enhanced by his conduct in exile, despite its lapses. Now the reward lay before him and those who had gladly shared the grey days of his temporary eclipse, "... if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him" (Rom. 8:17).

J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Apr 1972
The Life And Times Of David