So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. [1 Samuel 22.1-2]
I don't know why it is, but every time I read these couple of verses of scripture, I feel sad. Maybe it is not sadness I feel, but melancholy.
I suppose my feelings about the verses above are due to the fact that David's life has changed forever. David is now absolutely certain that Saul is determined to kill him and no amount of reason will change that. The future is becoming clear.
It is almost as if there has been a death - a death of the way things were - an uncertainty of what the future holds - and assurance that unnecessary bloodshed will follow.
Today just happens to be the Sunday Easter falls on this year.
I think I can feel some of the darkness Jesus experienced before the Cross - before the bloodshed. It seems as if the resignation of Jesus to His fate as Savior of the World carries much the same emotional overtures as David seeing the men gather to him - warriors whose presence assures of war. Yes, there will be death.
David's heart, although that of a warrior himself, must have felt this same sadness as he realized all of these men gathering to him could only mean one thing... the kingdom was about to be firmly established - but not without great conflict.
Father, I really don't understand what I am feeling today, but it is real. Help me to have the heart of David - a warrior no doubt - but a man after Your own heart.
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