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Saul。 But it was reported to Achish that David was the man who had slain the
Philistine champion years before； and now he who had sought refuge with the
foes of Israel found himself in great peril。 But； feigning madness； he
deceived his enemies and thus made his escape。
The first error of David was his distrust of God at Nob； and his second
mistake was his deception before Achish。 David had displayed noble traits of
character； and his moral worth had won
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him favor with the people； but as trial came upon him； his faith was shaken；
and human weakness appeared。 He saw in every man a spy and a betrayer。 In a
great emergency David had looked up to God with a steady eye of faith； and
had vanquished the Philistine giant。 He believed in God； he went in His
name。 But as he had been hunted and persecuted； perplexity and distress had
nearly hidden his heavenly Father from his sight。
Yet this experience was serving to teach David wisdom； for it led him to
realize his weakness and the necessity of constant dependence upon God。 Oh；
how precious is the sweet influence of the Spirit of God as it comes to
depressed or despairing souls； encouraging the fainthearted； strengthening
the feeble； and imparting courage and help to the tried servants of the
Lord！ Oh； what a God is ours； who deals gently with the erring and manifests
His patience and tenderness in adversity； and when we are overwhelmed with
some great sorrow！
Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of
faith。 When shadows encompass the soul； when we want light and guidance； we
must look up； there is light beyond the darkness。 David ought not to have
distrusted God for one moment。 He had cause for trusting in Him： he was the
Lord's anointed； and in the midst of danger he had been protected by the
angels of God； he had been armed with courage to do wonderful things； and if
he had but removed his mind from the distressing situation in which he was
placed； and had thought of God's power and majesty； he would have been at
peace even in the midst of the shadows of death； he could with confidence
have repeated the promise of the Lord； 〃The mountains shall depart； and the
hills be removed； but My kindness shall not depart from thee； neither shall
the covenant of My peace be removed。〃 Isaiah 54：10。
Among the mountains of Judah； David sought refuge from the pursuit of Saul。
He made good his escape to the cave of Adullam； a place that； with a small
force； could be held against a large army。 〃And when his brethren and all
his father's house heard it； they went down thither to him。〃 The family of
David could not feel secure； knowing that at any time the unreasonable
suspicions of Saul might be directed against them on account of their
relation to David。 They had now learnedwhat was coming to be generally
known in Israelthat God had
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chosen David as the future ruler of His people； and they believed that they
would be safer with him； even though he was a fugitive in a lonely cave；
than they could be while exposed to the insane madness of a jealous king。
In the cave of Adullam the family were united in sympathy and affection。 The
son of Jesse could make melody with voice and harp as he sang； 〃Behold； how
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity！〃 Psalm
133：1。 He had tasted the bitterness of distrust on the part of his own
brothers； and the harmony that had taken the place of discord brought joy to
the exile's heart。 It was here that David composed the fifty…seventh psalm。
It was not long before David's company was joined by others who desired to
escape the exactions of the king。 There were many who had lost confidence in
the ruler of Israel； for they could see that he was no longer guided by the
Spirit of the Lord。 〃And everyone that was in distress； and everyone that
was in debt； and everyone that was discontented；〃 resorted to David； 〃and he
became a captain over them： and there were with him about four hundred men。〃
Here David had a little kingdom of his own； and in it order and discipline
prevailed。 But even in his retreat in the mountains he was far from feeling
secure； for he received continual evidence that the king had not
relinquished his murderous purpose。
He found a refuge for his parents with the king of Moab； and then； at a
warning of danger from a prophet of the Lord； he fled from his hiding place
to the forest of Hareth。 The experience through which David was passing was
not unnecessary or fruitless。 God was giving him a course of discipline to
fit him to become a wise general as well as a just and merciful king。 With
his band of fugitives he was gaining a preparation to take up the work that
Saul； because of his murderous passion and blind indiscretion； was becoming
wholly unfitted to do。 Men cannot depart from the counsel of God and still
retain that calmness and wisdom which will enable them to act with justice
and discretion。 There is no insanity so dreadful； so hopeless； as that of
following human wisdom； unguided by the wisdom of God。
Saul had been preparing to ensnare and capture David in the cave of Adullam；
and when it was discovered that David had left this place of refuge； the
king was greatly enraged。 The flight of
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David was a mystery to Saul。 He could account for it only by the belief that
there had been traitors in his camp； who had informed the son of Jesse of
his proximity and design。
He affirmed to his counselors that a conspiracy had been formed against him；
and with the offer of rich gifts and positions of honor he bribed them to
reveal who among his people had befriended David。 Doeg the Edomite turned
informer。 Moved by ambition and avarice； and by hatred of the priest； who
had reproved his sins； Doeg reported David's visit to Ahimelech；
representing the matter in such a light as to kindle Saul's anger against
the man of God。 The words of that mischievous tongue； set on fire of hell；
stirred up the worst passions in Saul's heart。 Maddened with rage； he
declared that the whole family of the priest should perish。 And the terrible
decree was executed。 Not only Ahimelech； but the members of his father's
house〃four…score and five persons that did wear a linen ephod〃were slain
at the king's command； by the murderous hand of Doeg。
〃And Nob； the city of the priests； smote he with the edge of the sword； both
men and women； children and sucklings； and oxen； and asses； and sheep。〃 This
is what Saul could do under the control of Satan。 When God had said that the
iniquity of the Amalekites was full； and had commanded him to destroy them
utterly； he thought himself too compassionate to execute the divine
sentence； and he spared that which was devoted to destruction； but now；
without a command from God； under the guidance of Satan； he could slay the
priests of the Lord and bring ruin upon the inhabitants of Nob。 Such is the
perversity of the human heart that has refused the guidance of God。
This deed filled all Israel with horror。 It was the king who