Saul hated Ahimelech the priest, partly for praying for David. Saul commanded his footmen to kill Ahimelech, but they refused. Like jealous Cain killing righteous Abel, sin laid at Saul's door. "A certain man ...was there that day, detained before the LORD" - Doeg was at Saul's door, killing 85 priests for him. Like Judas Iscariot, God turns evil men over to their devices, and the righteous suffer.
1 Samuel 22:13 - "Saul said unto [Ahimelech], Why have ye conspired against me, ...in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him?"
PRINCIPALS - "Achish, King of Gath"
Fleeing Doeg, David fled to Gath. The king's servants recognized him as the brave king of Israel who people sang and danced about. David feared King Achish was allied with Saul, so he feigned madness, scrabbling and drooling, to disguise himself. Achish ran him out of town. But they met again later and became fast friends. Achish donated Ziklag to David for a hometown. Sometimes, crazy situations can yet turn out for the good.
1 Samuel 21:15 - "Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence?"
From Saul at Jerusalem, to Ahimelech at Nob, to Achish at Gath, David kept running to the cave Adullam. There, his family and friends came to his defense. "Every one that was in distress, ...in debt, and ...discontented." What a motley crew! Whatever God gives you, take them. They became David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8).
1 Samuel 22:2 - "Every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men."
PROPHECIES - "Will they? Yes, they will."
Philistines attacked a town named Keilah. With his 400 men, David defeated them. But Saul came to Keilah to capture David. Abiathar the priest had the ephod, so David had him enquire of the LORD whether the men of Keilah would betray him to Saul. The LORD said that they would, so David took that warning, and he and his men scattered throughout the countryside. Thank God for His prophetic warnings.
1 Samuel 23:12 - "Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up."
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