Reading

• 1 Sam. 21:1-12
• Psalm 56
• 1 Sam. 21:13-15
• Psalm 34
• 1 Sam. 22:1-2
• Psalm 142
• 1 Chron. 12:8-18
• 1 Sam. 22:3-5

Devotional

David fled from King Saul because Saul was still trying to kill him. GOD was with David and blessed him. David was afraid at times and he relied upon GOD for strength, support and protection. David, like all of us except Jesus, was imperfect. In this reading we see how David lied to Ahimelech, the priest, claiming that he was on a special mission for Saul. David also deceived (which a form of lying) the Philistines by pretending to be crazy, clawing the door and drooling on himself. David did this because he was afraid that the king of Gath would kill him. However, he eventually escaped Gath to a cave.

David’s brothers and his father joined him at the cave, as did other Israelites who were in distress or in debt or discontented. The group totaled 400 men. David became their leader. Then some army commanders from Gad as well as some Benjamites and men from Judah also joined David.

During these events David wrote some beautiful psalms (songs of praise) to GOD. The first, Psalm 56, is a prayer for confidence. The second, Psalm 34, is a song of thanksgiving for GOD’s encouragement. The third, Psalm 142, is a prayer for protection from his enemies. David was a skilled musician and he had a wonderful understanding of who GOD is and was keenly aware of his dependence upon GOD. One of the most important lessons we should learn from David is that GOD wants a close personal relationship with each of us individually. He already knows everything about us, including what we are thinking this very moment, and He is very active in our lives every day.