RTW 2024

So, David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.‍

1 Samuel 22:1

The name Adullam means refuge, but the cave wasn’t to be David’s refuge. God wanted to be David’s refuge in this discouraging time.

ii. Most archaeologists believe that the Cave of Adullam was not too far from the place where David defeated Goliath, in the hills of Judah. David couldn’t help but consider how far he had come from a great victory to running around like a criminal, hiding in a cave.

There’s nothing like a view of your past victory to bring you to place of humility.

David has lost is footing a bit. He’s distressed and turned to a wrong place of refuge…

So, David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath.
1 Samuel 21:10

Going to the wrong place of refuge can:

• Interrupt our fellowship with God.
• Innocently invite others into our situation.
• Invoke actions in others that can’t be reversed.

A cold cave seems a harsh place for the future king of Israel to find refuge, however, it was the perfect place to:

• Generate humility 
  Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection! I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. 
  Psalm 57:1

• Restore confidence 
  My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
  Psalm 57:7-10

Where is my Adullam?

Is it a place that generates humility?

Does it restore my confidence in the Lord?

• A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  Psalm 46:1 (ESV)
  ‍
• This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him.
  Psalm 91:2

Saul knew of Jonathan’s devotion to David.

Is that why you have conspired against me? For not one of you told me when my own son made a solemn pact with the son of Jesse. You’re not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son—encouraging him to kill me, as he is trying to do this very day!”
1 Samuel 22:8

Where is my Adullam? Make sure it is the Lord, so others aren’t inadvertently involved.