AT TIMES IT IS BETTER TO FLEE THAN TO FIGHT

PROCLAMATION

“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?’ …  And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.”  1 Samuel 21:1 and 10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the prophet Samuel.  When David left Jonathan to flee from Saul, (1 Samuel 20:42) he went to Nob to see Ahimelech the priest.  Ahimelech was concerned when he saw David as to why he was alone.  He told the priest that he was travelling alone on a special mission for the king and that he would meet up with his men later. (1 Samuel 21:1-2)  David asked the priest for some bread, but there was only consecrated bread so David took that.  He also asked the priest for a weapon but all that was there was the sword that David had previously used to cut off the head of Goliath, which had been wrapped in cloth and stored.  So David took Goliath’s sword. (1 Samuel 21:3-9)  Then he went to Achish king of Gath, enemies of Israel, to hide from Saul.  Because the people recognized him, David pretended that he was insane in order to be safe in their presence. (1 Samuel 21:10-14) 

 

APPLICATION

Years ago I heard this old saying, “Sometimes it is better to run away, and live to fight another day” (Author unknown)  David knew better than to fight with King Saul.  The Bible teaches us not to harm the man of God saying, “Touch not” the anointed of God and do His prophets no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15)  The Lord God will chastise and punish His own as He sees fit and when He feels it is appropriate.  It is better for us to walk away and avoid a confrontation, especially with a man of God, than to risk incurring the wrath of God by harming one of His own.  We need to learn to disagree with people without becoming disagreeable.