Ask The Chaplain

Ask The Chaplain

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Today's Sermon


I Samuel 22:1 "David therefore
departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his
brethren and all his father's house heard [it], they went down thither
to him."

This cave was a natural hiding place for David. It was large
enough to safely house a few hundred people. There were many caves in
this area. This was not the largest, but it was large enough to give
them safe haven from their enemies. It appears that, his father and
his brethren came to the aid of David. David's father was aware that
David had been anointed king by Samuel. The brethren, here, would have
included all of David's close relatives.

• Caves are cold, dark, and depressing
• David although anointed King, was running from Saul
• His best ally Jonathan could no longer help him
• His dreams seem distant
• God’s Promises seemed hollow


I Samuel 22:2 "And 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."

• God sent David help (Not Godly men)
• These men would later become Mighty Men of Valor
• Saul had an army but David had God and 400 men looking for a second chance

Saul had been a hard king. He had brought extra pain on some of
the people. Saul was not a king that thought of justice for all the
people. He was a self-willed individual. He did not concern himself
with the hardships of others, as long as he was comfortable. The
Israelites had insisted on having a king like their neighbors, and
that is just what they got. He was not just a strong military leader,
he was a dictator at home. These who have come to be with David are
thinking of a revolt against Saul. They are dissatisfied with him as
king. These 400 men were nothing compared to the army that Saul had,
but with the LORD with them, they felt they could win.

I Samuel 22:3 "And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he
said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee,
come forth, [and be] with you, till I know what God will do for me."

• David took care of his responsibilities even in the midst of trouble
• The Enemy always goes after what you love the most
• David although discouraged waited on a Word from God

David was aware that Saul would show no mercy to his father and
mother. He sends them to safety in Moab. They will stay with the king
of Moab, until the battle between the forces of Saul and the forces of
David have decided who will rule. David knows that his fate is in the
hands of God.

I Samuel 22:4 "And he brought them before the king of Moab: and
they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold."

The hold, in this instance, is speaking of the cave where David
is headquartered with his men. He, probably, changed locations
occasionally, to keep Saul from finding out where he was.

I Samuel 22:5 "And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in
the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David
departed, and came into the forest of Hareth."



• God sent a Prophet, God always gives us direction we must be patient and wait on His direction, as soon as David got the Word…He acted on it!
• God told David to leave the Cave (Depression/Discouragement/Despair)
• He said go to Judah (Praise)Judah was also where David would rule, God wants us to act like Kings and Queens