Day 132 – David on the Run

• Yesterday we left David as he begin to start life on the run, as he moved quickly to get away from Saul. As today’s passage in 1 Samuel 21 opens, David has reached the town of Nob, and chooses to visit Ahimelech, a priest. In verse 2, David lies to Ahimelech about why he was there. What was the lie, and why do you think he chose to do so? David’s lie would endanger many people (indeed some would later go on to die) and the bible makes it clear that David made bad choices like this.
• Wanting to support David, Ahimelech gives him some food that had been specifically set aside for priests, and David eats it. This is technically breaking God’s law. The bible does particularly condemn this action though, and you could argue that the reasons were reasonable (i.e. David needed food!) so you could say that the spirit of the actions were good.
• Jesus uses this story of David eating the food in the passage we read today in Matthew. The Pharisees are questioning him about picking some ears of grain to eat on the Sabbath. Technically, perhaps, the disciples were indeed “working” on the Sabbath, but Jesus is quick to come to their defence as the Pharisees come on the offensive. Jesus refers to himself as the Lord of the Sabbath, and talks about the fact that priests “work” on that day, and yet remain guiltless. What teachings can you see from this passage which might help us today?
• Back in the 1 Samuel passage, David continues his rather odd sequence of actions. It’s some rather crazy stuff! He takes Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech (verse 9) and proceeds to go straight to Golaith’s home town of Achish in Gath (verse 10)! What David thought he would achieve by walking into Achish with Goliath’s sword, I don’t know! What do you make of it?
• Why do you think David did these things? Bearing in mind he is being chased by the king, what do you think his state of mind is at this time? David was a great man, but does this show part of his fragile, human side?
• David is quickly spotted recognised in Achish. What does he do to get out of this dangerous situation, as explained in 1 Samuel 21:13-15? Imagine how it must have looked! Does it work? Who would have been looking after David to ensure that it worked?
• David wrote Psalm 34 about his experiences in Achish. What sort of things does David say in the psalm which would have helped him in his situation?
• Pick out a verse from Psalm 34 which you like, and try and remember it. Perhaps you might consider verses 4, 8 or 22.

Today we have a tricky little concept to consider. We should strive to continually obey God’s Word, but today we read that David technically breaks the rules, and the words in the New Testament passage show Jesus’ approval of David’s actions whilst He, Jesus, oversees His disciples as they seemingly “break the rules” too.

For us, this means that we should be careful not to be overly-legalistic about being following God. Make no mistake – that isn’t a ticket to sin as you wish. What it does mean, however, is the importance of understanding the reasons behind the structures that God has given us. God gave us the Sabbath to enjoy rest and to reflect that fact that He, too, rested after his work at Creation. It doesn’t mean that we have to work ourselves into a sweat worrying about what would, and what wouldn’t, constitute “work” on this day. Food is a good thing that God has given us, and picking it from the tree doesn’t constitute a wilful disobedience to God’s Law!

On a separate note, “What’s in the Bible” comes in once again to teach us a little more about the relationship between David and Saul with a rather modern twist. It’s embedded below. Take a look!