Lessons from King David: Waiting on God

David has been anointed as the future king, killed Goliath and soothed Saul’s inner spirits. David is now married to King Saul’s daughter, Michal. When Saul desires to murder David, Michal helps him escape. {1 Samuel 19}

David escapes when King Saul tries to kill him

David went first to Samuel and then his best friend {Saul’s own son}, Jonathan helped David to escape. {1 Samuel 20}

David continues to flee from one place to another. First to Nob, where he is given Goliath’s sworth by the priest Ahimelech. Then he goes to Gath, the city of Goliath. When he realizes he is in danger there, he goes to the cave of Adullam. Then he seeks refuge from the king of Moab, but leaves when the prophet of Gad advises him to do so. From there he goes on to the Forest of Hereth and then on to Keilah, where he battles with the Philistines.

Then he takes refuge in the Wilderness of Ziph.

David and Jonathan

But David is not traveling alone. “When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him.” {1 Samuel 22:1:}

This is no small group of people. “So David and his men got out of there. There were about six hundred of them.” {1 Samuel 23:13}

While he is on the run, his life continues to be in danger. “Saul was out looking for him day after day, but God never turned David over to him.” {1 Samuel 23:7}

During the time he was on the run, David saw many changes in his life.

First, Samuel, the man who anointed him to be king, died. {1 Samuel 25:1}

David lived on the run

Then David married again. He married Ahinoam of Jezreel, although scripture does not really describe how they met or came to be married. {Scholars believe he married her first.}

David then runs into Nabal, who refuses to provide David and his entourage with shelter. Nabal’s wife, Abigail intervenes and Nabal soon dies. After his death, David and Abigail marry. {1 Samuel 25}

We know that by the time David settled in Gath, he was married to both Ahimoam of Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal. {1 Samuel 27:3}’

David and his men lived in caves

David is living on the run. He has no choice but to lean on the Lord and trust Him to provide and supply his needs and the Lord does just that.

I don’t know about you, but I struggle to give up control. I know how things should be or at the least how I want them to be. Too many times the Lord has to break my will to show me His. Each step, the Lord draws me closer to Him and to keeping my eyes on Him. However, I can’t say that it is an easy process or one I particularly cherish.

We don’t know if David struggled with control issues, but we do know the Lord provided for David during these wilderness years.

Have you ever been in a season of wilderness? Do you keep your eyes on the Lord in all things?

 

David lived through a season of wilderness while on the run from King Saul Click To Tweet

2 comments

  • The mad king really made his life so hard. The man, David was on his heels all through these time. But one thing I think that kept him going was that God was always with him. This is the same way we need to trust God in every issue of our lives. We must also keep living on his word.Just like me, you can make what I call bible in one year plan in order to help you keep up with the word of God.

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