1 Samuel 21 & 22: Abide Thou With Me
Verse of the Day: (22:23) Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

1. Alone (21:1-9)
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? (21:1)

No matter how righteous a man, he is still a sinner, and the only way to keep him from sinning is to abide in God. After David ran away from King Saul, he went to seek help from Ahimelech, the priest. David then lied to Ahimelech that he had a secret assignment from the king after he was asked as to why he was alone. Ahimelech not only gave David the hallow bread for his provision, but Goliath’s sword for his protection. However, little did David know that Saul commanded Doeg, his servant, to kill Ahimelech and all the 85 priests with him as well as their families and livestock, after Doeg, who was also present at the scene on that day, told Saul that he saw Ahimelech helping David. Though we may be alone and afraid, let us know that God and His Word are always with us. (Psalms 119)

2. Afraid (21:10-15)
And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. (21:12)    

After meeting Ahimelech, David went to Israel’s enemy, Achish, king of Gath, for help. When Achish found out that he was David who killed Goliath, their great warrior, David became afraid and feared for his life, and pretended to be insane, and fled from them. Instead of lying to Ahimelech, and going to his enemy, Achish, David should have sought God, the most High, and trust in Him who shall surely help him. (Psalms 56)

3. Abide (22:1-23)
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. (22:2)

David fled from Achish and hid in the cave at Adullam, and then 400 people including all his family, loved ones and those who were distress, in debt and discontented with life came to encourage him. David was so encouraged by them that he became their leader and in turn he encouraged them. When Abiathar, one of Ahimelech’s sons, managed to escape the sword of Doeg, and sought David for help, David encouraged him and promised to protect him. David knew that he was the cause of the death of Ahimelech and all his priests including their families and livestock. David also knew that he could only find strength and comfort by abiding in God, his refuge and fortress. (Psalms 91)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to abide in Your Refuge and Fortress in time of need.