1 Samuel 20-21 David Has To Flee Saul

"The wisest course of action for David was to get away from Saul and go into hiding.  For David to remain at Gibeah wasn't an exercise of faith; it was an act of presumption and he was only tempting God," my commentary said.  That's an important concept to remember when we struggle with tough decisions.

Jonathan was faced with trying to remain loyal to his father while at the same time wanting to help David, whom he knew would be the future king.  "Conflict of loyalties, especially in the family, is one of the most painful difficulties we face in the life of faith, but Christ calls for supreme devotion to Him and His will for our lives," my commentary said.

"David had faith that the Lord would remove Saul from the scene in His good time and in His own way."  Oh, that we could be satisfied with knowledge like that!

"Jonathan had brought much joy and encouragement to David during those difficult years, but it wasn't God's will that David permanently join himself to Saul and his family, for they belonged to the wrong tribe and represented a rejected and condemned monarchy.  David never had a co-regent because Jonathan was killed in battle and David rejected Saul's daughter Michal as his wife and she died childless.  Had she borne any children, it would have brought confusion into the royal line."

David fled to Gath, the hometown of Goliath, where he had to pretend to be insane to protect his life.  "David did a lot of praying while in Gath, and the Lord heard him.  David learned that the fear of the Lord conquers every other fear ... No matter how we feel or how dismal the circumstances appear, the safest place in the world is in the will of God."

Father, it's been like that for me lately, and I continue to pray for Your guidance and blessing.  Help me to rest in You and dwell in You as I wait for Your will.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford