22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 ALL THOSE WHO WERE IN DISTRESS OR IN DEBT OR DISCONTENTED GATHERED ROUND HIM, and he became their commander. 1 Samuel 22

22 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. ² ALL THOSE WHO WERE IN DISTRESS OR IN DEBT OR DISCONTENTED GATHERED ROUND HIM, and he became their commander. 1 Samuel 22

In English David attracted the three ‘Ds’, those who were in Distress, Debt or Discontented. A ragtag force of four hundred, a very unimpressive group, yet they were beginning of something much larger and more powerful, whom the Lord would use to take back the nation. We see further on in this chapter that Saul would promise wealth and power to those who would do his bidding to seek and destroy David.

I see a lot of parallels in this account with the situation in the world today. Many dissatisfied people are in just the position of those who swore allegiance to David, while others have been persuaded to follow the obvious route to gain  wealth and power for themselves. They’ve sold themselves to powerful rulers like Saul, who were determined to hold onto control and oppose God’s choice, David.

⁷ He said to them, ‘Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 1 Samuel 22

Saul’s sole reason for existence was to destroy David and he promised wealth and power now for those who would follow him and oppose God’s plans. He didn’t even trust his own son Jonathan, his recognised heir, who stayed faithful to him to the end, at the cost of his own life.

⁸ Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.’ 1 Samuel 22

On the physical level there was a very strong force, the king, pursuing and harassing a much smaller and weaker group, within his own people. However, the true might in any situation always lies with the unseen hand of God. Many today may have chosen to follow those who seemed to hold the reins of economic and governmental power, for personal gain. However, Saul couldn’t sustain his rule, he fell badly and so did those around him. True authority doesn’t lie with those in high office in this world realm, but God’s kingdom rules over all. I can think of no better words, than the ones Jesus taught His disciples;

⁹ ‘This, then, is how you should pray: