patriarchs and prophets-第171章
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harm David； since this would be manifest rebellion against God。 But David
was not convinced。 With intense earnestness he declared to Jonathan； 〃As the
Lord liveth； and as thy soul liveth； there is but a step between me and
death。〃
At the time of the new moon a sacred festival was celebrated in Israel。 This
festival recurred upon the day following the interview between David and
Jonathan。 At this feast it was expected that both the young men would appear
at the king's table； but David feared to be present； and it was arranged
that
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he should visit his brothers in Bethlehem。 On his return he was to hide
himself in a field not far from the banqueting hall； for three days
absenting himself from the presence of the king； and Jonathan would note the
effect upon Saul。 If inquiry should be made as to the whereabouts of the son
of Jesse； Jonathan was to say that he had gone home to attend the sacrifice
offered by his father's household。 If no angry demonstrations were made by
the king； but he should answer； 〃It is well；〃 then it would be safe for
David to return to the court。 But if he should become enraged at his
absence； it would decide the matter of David's flight。
On the first day of the feast the king made no inquiry concerning the
absence of David； but when his place was vacant the second day； he
questioned； 〃Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat； neither
yesterday nor today？ And Jonathan answered Saul； David earnestly asked leave
of me to go to Bethlehem： and he said； Let me go； I pray thee； for our
family hath a sacrifice in the city； and my brother； he hath commanded me to
be there： and now； if I have found favor in thine eyes； let me get away； I
pray thee； and see my brethren。 Therefore he cometh not unto the king's
table。〃 When Saul heard these words； his anger was ungovernable。 He declared
that as long as David lived； Jonathan could not come to the throne of
Israel； and he demanded that David should be sent for immediately； that he
might be put to death。 Jonathan again made intercession for his friend；
pleading； 〃Wherefore shall he be slain？ what hath he done？〃 This appeal to
the king only made him more satanic in his fury； and the spear which he had
intended for David he now hurled at his own son。
The prince was grieved and indignant； and leaving the royal presence； he was
no more a guest at the feast。 His soul was bowed down with sorrow as he
repaired at the appointed time to the spot where David was to learn the
king's intentions toward him。 Each fell upon the other's neck； and they wept
bitterly。 The dark passion of the king cast its shadow upon the life of the
young men； and their grief was too intense for expression。 Jonathan's last
words fell upon the ear of David as they separated to pursue their different
paths； 〃Go in peace； forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of
the Lord； saying； The Lord be between me and thee； and between my seed and
thy seed forever。〃
The king's son returned to Gibeah； and David hastened to
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reach Nob； a city but a few miles distant； and also belonging to the tribe
of Benjamin。 The tabernacle had been taken to this place from Shiloh； and
here Ahimelech the high priest ministered。 David knew not whither to flee
for refuge； except to the servant of God。 The priest looked upon him with
astonishment； as he came in haste and apparently alone； with a countenance
marked by anxiety and sorrow。 He inquired what had brought him there。 The
young man was in constant fear of discovery； and in his extremity he
resorted to deception。 David told the priest that he had been sent by the
king on a secret errand； one which required the utmost expedition。 Here he
manifested a want of faith in God； and his sin resulted in causing the death
of the high priest。 Had the facts been plainly stated； Ahimelech would have
known what course to pursue to preserve his life。 God requires that
truthfulness shall mark His people； even in the greatest peril。 David asked
the priest for five loaves of bread。 There was nothing but hallowed bread in
the possession of the man of God； but David succeeded in removing his
scruples； and obtained the bread to satisfy his hunger。
A new danger now presented itself。 Doeg； the chief of Saul's herdsmen； who
had professed the faith of the Hebrews； was now paying his vows in the place
of worship。 At sight of this man David determined to make haste to secure
another place of refuge； and to obtain some weapon with which to defend
himself if defense should become necessary。 He asked Ahimelech for a sword；
and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath； which had been
kept as a relic in the tabernacle。 David replied； 〃There is none like that；
give it me。〃 His courage revived as he grasped the sword that he had once
used in destroying the champion of the Philistines。
David fled to Achish； the king of Gath； for he felt that there was more
safety in the midst of the enemies of his people than in the dominions of
Saul。 But it was reported to Achish that David was the man who had slain the
Philistine champion years before； and now he who had sought refuge with the
foes of Israel found himself in great peril。 But； feigning madness； he
deceived his enemies and thus made his escape。
The first error of David was his distrust of God at Nob； and his second
mistake was his deception before Achish。 David had displayed noble traits of
character； and his moral worth had won
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him favor with the people； but as trial came upon him； his faith was shaken；
and human weakness appeared。 He saw in every man a spy and a betrayer。 In a
great emergency David had looked up to God with a steady eye of faith； and
had vanquished the Philistine giant。 He believed in God； he went in His
name。 But as he had been hunted and persecuted； perplexity and distress had
nearly hidden his heavenly Father from his sight。
Yet this experience was serving to teach David wisdom； for it led him to
realize his weakness and the necessity of constant dependence upon God。 Oh；
how precious is the sweet influence of the Spirit of God as it comes to
depressed or despairing souls； encouraging the fainthearted； strengthening
the feeble； and imparting courage and help to the tried servants of the
Lord！ Oh； what a God is ours； who deals gently with the erring and manifests
His patience and tenderness in adversity； and when we are overwhelmed with
some great sorrow！
Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of
faith。 When shadows encompass the soul； when we want light and guidance； we
must look up； there is light beyond the darkness。 David ought not to have
distrusted God for one moment。 He had cause for trusting in Him： he was the
Lord's anointed； and in the midst of danger he had been protected by the
angels of God； he had been armed with courage to do wonderful things； and if
he had but removed his mind from the distressing situation in which he was
placed； and had thought of God's power and majesty； he would have been at
peace even in the midst of the shadows of death； he could with confidence
have repeated the promise of the Lord； 〃The mountains shall depart； and the
hills be removed； but My kindness shall not depart from thee； neither shall
the covenant of My peace be removed。〃 Isaiah 54：10。
Among the mountains of Judah； David sought refuge from the pursuit of Saul。
He made good his escape to the cave of Adullam； a place that； with a small
force； could be held against a large army。 〃And when his brethren and all
his father's house heard it； they went down thither to him。〃 The family of
David could not feel secure； knowing that at any time the unreasonable
suspicions of Saul might be directed against them on account of their
relation to David。 They had now learnedwhat was coming to be generally
known in Israelthat God had
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chosen David as the future ruler of His people； and they believed that they
would be safer with him； even though he was a fugitive in a lonely cave；
than they could be while exposed t
