On the Run: 1 Samuel 21:7-9

When we lose sight of God, we find ourselves shifting from God’s truth to a reality we invent to survive.  When we lose sight of God’s truth, we can invent lies and begin to believe them.  Soon we find ourselves separated from God’s will and chasing the desires of our own heart.

While David visits Ahimelech, it just so happens Doeg the Edomite is present.  Doeg is one of the king’s shepherds.  He is being detained before the Lord.

The Bible does not tell us why he is detained.  It is possible Doeg was required to perform a certain amount of ritual purification as an Edomite serving in the king’s service.  It is also possible as an Edomite, he violated some Hebrew law and was spending the time in service to the priests as penance for the transgression.  It is also possible God Himself detained Doeg at the temple for this moment as a witness to David’s lie to the priests.  Whatever the reason, we’ll follow the Bible’s lead and leave the questions about Doeg unanswered until we meet him again in the next chapter.

Before leaving Ahimelech, David asks for a weapon.  He fled Saul’s presence in hurry.  Even though he waited around for Jonathan on the third day of the festival, he wouldn’t have wanted to be seen around the king’s buildings when he was supposed to be in Bethlehem celebrating the festival with his family.  Therefore, he wouldn’t have gone to the armory to collect weapons for his exile.  He would have fled, unequipped with food and weapons.

Ahimelech gives the sword of Goliath to David.  Since God’s hand was clearly at work in David’s victory over Goliath, it is reasonable to think Goliath’s sword would be sent as a relic to one of the central places of worship.  The presence of the sword would remind the worshippers of God’s mighty work.  The presence of the sword would also be a sign of God’s provision for David.  When David is in need, God provides a weapon through miraculous planning.

Unfortunately for David, the presence of the sword contains a deeper meaning he missed.  The sword is a relic of a moment when God miraculously saved His people.  The sword was used by David to cut off Goliath’s head, a battle won because David relied upon God.

As David runs from Saul, he is relying upon his own understanding.  Twice David lied to Ahimelech.  Instead of following God’s plan for exile, David is lying and trying to make his own way.  As David receives the sword of Goliath, he should be reminded of God’s provision.  Unfortunately, his imminent exile has him distracted and unable to focus on God.

Life often conspires to distract us from God.  In moments of great stress, we can often lose sight of God and His plan for our life.  When we lose sight of God, we find ourselves shifting from God’s truth to a reality we invent to survive.