1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
There are times in David’s life where he serves as an excellent picture of Christ.
- His private anointing.
- His care for his father’s sheep.
- His victory over Goliath.
- His public coronation after years of rejection.
- Here: Anointed, but rejected, privately and quietly awaiting the day He is publicly anointed.
Theme: King Jesus is rejected by many, but is the anointed and rightful king. Allow reality to push you to Him, choose Him though He is largely unchosen, and spend time with Him.
- 1 Let reality push you to a new King.
- 2 Choose the unchosen King.
- 3 Spend time with your King (and watch what happens).
1 Let Reality Push You To A New King
1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
- Backdrop: David has revived in the cave. His team will now swell (his future prophet, priest, and mighty men).
- Four hundred came to David.
- They were in distress.They were in debt. They were bitter in soul.
- Are not these the same conditions which often drive men to Christ today?
- Distress: The pressures of life.
- Often brought on by many harmless things, but also dangerous things: Education / Speed of travel / Computing power / Information age / Media pervasiveness / Technological advances / Specialization of industries / Congestion / Mobility / Prevalence of divorce / Mental (rather than physical) work
- In debt: The depleted resources of life.
- Contrary to culture’s message, we all have relatively fixed limits.
- Physically: you cannot do anything or everything.
- Example: We sleep too little.
- Mentally: you cannot know anything or everything.
- Example: We keep up with too much.
- Financially: you cannot do or have anything or everything.
- Emotionally: you cannot extend yourself for anyone or everyone.
- Physically: you cannot do anything or everything.
- Contrary to culture’s message, we all have relatively fixed limits.
- Bitter in soul: The disappointments of life.
- Family / Friends / Church / Self
- Distress: The pressures of life.
- These pains exist, in part, to help drive us to Christ.
- Physical pain exists to tell us something.
- Example: My benign tumor when 17 — the pain communicated something was there that should not be there.
- Mental and emotional pain can also tell us something.
- The pressures and depleted resources and disappointments found in these four hundred men were actually allies.
- The hurt was a help.
- They say hurt people hurt people, but some hurt people turn to Christ!
- The hurt was a help.
- The pressures and depleted resources and disappointments found in these four hundred men were actually allies.
- Physical pain exists to tell us something.
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
2 Choose The Unchosen King
1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
- 2 He became commander (or captain) over them: They left Saul’s kingdom and embraced David’s, just as we must leave the world’s kingdom and embrace Jesus’s.
- Leave the world’s kingdom:
- Consider: 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV) — 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
- Define world: Not the people of the world, but the system the world is under.
- Trench’s Synonyms Of The New Testament: "A floating mass of thoughts, opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale."
- Desires of the flesh: The desire to feel.
- Desires of the eyes: The desire to have.
- Pride of life: The desire to be.
- Define world: Not the people of the world, but the system the world is under.
- Embrace Jesus’s kingdom.
- Like David’s, it is certain.
- Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
- But He has been defeated by Jesus’ cross: Colossians 2:15 (ESV) — 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
- Like David’s, it is hidden.
- Jesus’ followers, like David’s before them, wait for Jesus to take the throne.
- Like David’s, it is future.
- Like David’s, it is certain.
- Consider: 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV) — 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
3 Spend Time With Your King
1 Samuel 22:1–2 (ESV) — 1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
- 2 With him about four hundred men: David rubbed off on these men, as well as Gad and Abiathar.
- David would turn these outcasts into the core of a fine military (2 Samuel 23:8-39).
- Josheb-Basshebeth a Tahchemonite: 800 men at one time.
- Eleazar the son of Dodo, son of Ahohi: Attacked Philistines when no one else would. His hand stuck to his sword. Others came only to plunder.
- Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite: Defended a field of lentels by stationing himself in the middle of it.
- These three brought David water from Bethlehem.
- Abishai: 300 men with his spear.
- Beniah: Two lion like Moabites, a spectacular Egyptian man who he wrestled the spear from his hand, and a lion on a snowy day in a pit.
- Where were these men in chapter 17?
- They weren’t created until after being with David.
- Where were these men in chapter 17?
- David would turn these outcasts into the core of a fine military (2 Samuel 23:8-39).
- Be transformed in fellowship with Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) — 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
- Hebrews 8:10 (ESV) — 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- Slowly
- Relationally
- Prayerfully
- Powerfully
- Example: Luke 9:29 (ESV) — 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.