David Draws a Crowd of the B Team
1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 3 And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4 And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.
1 Samuel 22:1–4 Read More
Look at the people that joined David in exile. His father and his entire father’s family came. The older brothers had been following Saul, but now they knew that since David had become sour in Saul’s mind, the whole family would be in danger. People in distress, in debt, and bitter in soul gathered to David.
David didn’t gather up all of the best warriors he fought with. He didn’t even go around and campaign for people to join him. The people that were drawn away from their homes and into the company of David were the same people that flocked to Jesus. They were the “least of these” in their society and the one’s least welcome at the temple.
Consider the contrast there, as Saul is the appointed leader, anointed to be king, but not attractive or helpful to the people that are struggling. Justice, mercy, compassion are characteristics that befit a king, and Saul is showing bitterness, rage, and wrath as he chases after David.
When David entered the court of the King of Moab, everyone would have seen Goliath’s sword on his back. He needed no introduction and no explanation. The songs the women sang about David killing his “ten thousands” had made it to Moab, as did the news of Goliath’s death at the hands of a teen. The King of Moab was happy to help David for now.
As we read this, we know the end of the story. Even if we don’t know the specifics, we know that Jesus is born and He is a descendant of David, so it must have turned out OK. David didn’t have that luxury. He has fled Israel and doesn’t know when or if he’ll return. Numerous people have joined him, but they are grumpy discontent people that have debt! (Heh, what a combo!)
Verse 3 reveals David’s attitude through all of this uncertainty. ”Let’s see what the Lord is going to do with me.” Is his attitude here and in many places. He is submitted to God’s plan and it actively walking it out. He isn’t idly waiting to see, but he isn’t forcing God to do what he wants either.
That active submission is what really shows off David’s heart for God. Active submission is what Noah did when he built the ark and what Jesus did in the garden – surrendering to God to see what He will do, while actively taking steps to make it happen.
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