1 Samuel 21:10 – Well protected even in enemy’s territory

David knew he could not stay in Nob because it was too near to Gibeah where Saul was stationed. Besides 1 Samuel 22:19 tells us Nob was the city of the priests. As such this would be a busy place and too risky to be found there. Truly speaking how could he feel safe anywhere in Israel with Saul so angrily pursuing him. Though Saul was not physically present everywhere, his dominance of the nation could be felt. So, David did a very dangerous move. This was a very bold and quite frankly a reckless one. We are told in 1 Samuel 21:10 that David went to Achish king of Gath.

What? Gath! Wasn’t this the town where Goliath hailed from? Of all places, this would certainly be the most dangerous place for him. It should have been the last place that he should have considered, for he had earlier killed the hero who hailed from this city. If there was any city that he should not be found, it should have been Gath. Any Philistine from Gath would love to lay his hand on him since he was the one who had humiliated their nation and taken the life of Goliath, their Philistine hero. To think that he was so bold to even come to Gath bearing the sword of Goliath, the one that he had used to cut off his head. For David to consider this place tells us of his desperation. His fear for Saul was greater than his fear for the Philistines. Perhaps, he could have also considered the fact that it would be safer in the enemy’s territory than anywhere else dominated by Saul. He could have imagined that Saul would think that Gath would be the last place he would run to. So David was in Gath.

Remarkably, Psalms 34 and 56 were written in connection with this incident, where he ran to Gath. Psalm 34 records his praise for God for the deliverance from his plight, while Psalm 56 describes the enemies whom he encountered, but his emphasis was on God who was his confidence. He attributed his safety as coming from God who was there with him, to protect him. In this Psalm, he narrated the threats he felt from his enemies, and yet so certain of the reliability of his faithful God. He saw his life being watched not only by his enemies but also by his faithful God, his sure protector. In Psalm 56, David confidently stated his assurance of God’s deliverance.  

Seriously speaking, like David we are also living in a world where we are not immune from the attacks of our spiritual enemy. Jesus tells us that while we are not of this world, yet we are in this world. We will always have to confront with trials and temptations that will threaten our spiritual life. Yet, like David who had described His confidence in God in both Psalms 34 and 56, we can stay confident and be assured that God our protector is reliable and faithful. Our deliverance is sure when we stay connected with Him. Make sure your connection with Him is intact!