Preparing The World For Occupation

The article I mentioned in the previous post purported to show the flaws in the statement that God created the earth.  As I mentioned, to show a flaw in a simple statement such as “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” one must show proof he did not create it.  A statement that he does not exist proves nothing.  If you can prove he doesn’t exist, that would be proof, but thus far, all the claims have been just unsupported statements, so any effort to prove he did not create the world must focus on evidence that it was created some other way or by someone else.

 

The most commonly accepted explanation for the earth’s existence is through some kind of evolutionary process, essentially a series of random incidents or accidents that led to where we are today.  Unfortunately, things do not happen without a cause, and as the second law of thermodynamics tells us, everything degrades with time.  Based on that one scientific principle, evolution would only explain the breaking down of matter, not the growing and formation of planets and life forms, exactly the opposite of what we see.   

 

Any valid claim as to how the world came into existence must follow a logical sequence.  If we examine the statements of Genesis 1, we find that the descriptions coincide with what science tells us we should expect.  Genesis 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”  Genesis 1:2 tells us, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  Literally, it tells us that the world was of no particular shape initially, and that it was empty and devoid of light.  God had effectively created this giant lump of raw material, but it was not yet finished. 

 

Once he had the raw materials, God created light, making it possible to shape and modify the earth as desired, as described in Genesis 1:3-5.  “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”  Although it does not specifically say so, verse 5 implies that God started the earth rotating, resulting in the changes from day to night, establishing a basis for time as we know it.  The rotation of the earth would tend to shape the world into its present globular aspect. 

 

Next. God created an atmosphere, in Genesis 1:6-8.  “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”  Without an atmosphere and light, life would not have been possible on earth.  Clearly God had a plan when he began developing the earth. 

 

Once he had established an atmosphere and light, God caused the dry land to push up through the water, probably as a result of earthquakes leaving some of the land exposed.  With a the nutrients it needed and place for it to grown he then created the plant life that covers most of our world, with some growing in the ocean and other on dry land.  Genesis 1:9-13 describes these events.  “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.  And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.  And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.  And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.  And the evening and the morning were the third day.”

 

With the basic earth created, God then made the celestial bodies we know as our universe.  He designed the sun and moon to be the primary sources of light for the earth, but placed all the stars and planets in space.  Because of their proximity, the sun and moon would provide reference points in time for those who lived on earth, marking out the various time periods, from the hours to days, weeks months and years.   

Genesis 1:14-19 describes the creation of what we call outer space.  “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.  And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.” 

 

When God first created the earth, Genesis 1:2 tells us, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  By the end of the fourth day, the world is no longer shapeless or in darkness.   Until those things were in place life on earth would not have been possible.  It is a far more logical progression than any evolutionary theory I have ever seen. 

 

God’s Existence

 I recently came across an article claiming to address the errors in Genesis 1:1.  The verse simply says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” To prove it wrong, one must prove God did not create the world.  To prove that, one must either prove that there is no God, or that something else created the universe. 

 

For centuries, people have been trying to prove there is no God, and many have stated unequivocally that there is no God.  Unfortunately, their statements prove only that they are convinced he doesn’t exist.   People can be absolutely convinced of things that are not true, as demonstrated by the people who are convinced the world is flat despite the photographs from space, the number of flights and ships that have circled the globe and all the evidence to the contrary, and people can cling to a belief in God or a belief that he doesn’t exist in the same way, despite the evidence. 

 

Romans 1:18-21 deals with this very situation.  “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

 

Like the members of the Flat Earth Society, they have chosen to ignore the  scientific evidence to cling to their own opinion, convinced they know more than those who believe the evidence.  As Romans 1:22-23 says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

 

There is an old saying that “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”  When people are determined to cling to a particular belief despite any evidence to the contrary, it is a waste of time trying to change their minds.  As Romans 1:24-25 states, God didn’t waste his time trying.  “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”  The evidence is there, and if they choose to ignore it that is their problem, not ours. 

 

Unfortunately, the refusal to face the truth in one area affects other areas of life as well, as can be readily seen in our present world.  Our modern society’s attitude toward homosexuality and transgenderism is direct result of that deliberate refusal to believe the evidence around us, as Romans 1:26-27 describes.  “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”  Ultimately, unrestrained homosexuality and transgenderism would result in the extinction or near extinction of the human race, although few believe that at this point in time.

 

The rejection of God’s existence results in the repudiation of all moral and ethical standards, as Romans 1:28-32 describes.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

 

Despite their efforts, people still carry a load of guilt for their rejection of their moral and ethical standards, even as they push the envelope.  No matter how hard they try to deny it, they still have to confront God’s existence from time to time, just like the members of the Flat Earth Society have to face the globular shape of the earth. 

 

 

 

An Insult Almost Leads David Into Sin

After David spared his life at Engedi, even Saul had to admit his hatred was unreasonable.  About the same time, Samuel died and all Israel came together to mourn his death.  David came and Saul did not attack him during the time of mourning, as I Samuel 25:1 tells us.  “And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.”

 

David did not forget Saul’s unprovoked attacks, so after the funeral, he went to the wilderness of Paran for safety.  While in the wilderness, he and hs men protected the various farmers and sheepherders from both wild animals and raids by the Philistines and other groups, and helping with shearing and other needs.  Some of the shepherds they had helped worked for a rich man by the name of Nabal, as described in I Samuel 25:2-3.  “And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.  Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.”

 

Shearing sheep is a very labor intensive job, and men would often help other shepherds with the job, expecting only their food and help with their own shearing.  David sent ten of his men to Nabal offering to help out, and asking for food for David’s men for the help they had already provided, in I Samuel 25:4-8.  “And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.  And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name: And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.  And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.  Ask thy young men, and they will show thee. Wherefore let the young men find favour in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.”

 

Nabal was a rude or churlish man, and took pride in putting down and embarrassing other people.  When Davids men came to him for help, he was very rude to them accusing them of being just a bunch of runaway slaves and beggars, as I Samuel 25:9-11 tells us.  “And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.  And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.  Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?”

 

Even the most godly of men can get angry when they are insulted, and David decided to kill Nabal and his descendants for insulting him and his men, in I Samuel 25:12-13.  “So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.  And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.”

 

Knowing how offensive Nabal’s behavior was, one of his employees told his wife what he had said, and how unjustifiable it was.  He warned that David and his men would not overlook such an insult, and that Nabal was so controlled by Satan no one could change his mind or get him to admit he was wrong.  They wanted to know if anything could be done to prevent what David might do, as I Samuel 25:14-17 tells us.  “But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.  But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.  Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial that a man cannot speak to him.”

 

 Abigail had had to deal with people Nabal had offended in the pastand knew how angry he could make people.  She quickly got things together that she hoped would placate David’s anger. She didn’t bother telling Nabal, knowing he would refuse to let her go, as I Samuel 25:18-20 tells us.  “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.  And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.  And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.”

 

David had been so offended by Nabal’s words he had decided to kill Nabal and every man that worked for him. Fortunately, Abigail got there in time to talk to David and apologize for her husband’s behavior.  She was honest about his wicked attitudeand asked David not to do something stupid just because Nabal was stupid.  She recognized David and his men had every right to sak Nabal’s help for what they had done for him, in I Samuel 25:21-28.  “Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.  So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

 

And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,  And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.  Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.  Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.  And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.  I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days”

 

She continued by reminding David that he had been chosen to be king by God, and that if he did what he planned, he would have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life, in I Samuel 25:29-31.  “Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.  And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.”

 

Unlike Nabal, David was not controlled by Satan, and was willing to listen to other opinions.  He appreciated Abigail’s warning and changed hi mind about what he was going to do, as I Samuel 25:32-35 describes.  “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:  And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.  For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.  So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” 

David Spares Saul’s Life

Saul had been forced to temporarily forget his effort to capture and kill David due to a Philistine invasion, but as soon as the threat was eliminated, he went back to his pursuit of David, with three thousand special forces, as described by I Samuel 24:1-2.  “And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.”

 

In the wilderness of Engedi were a number of large sheep corrals where shepherds would shut up their sheepfor protection at night.  Near these corrals were  caves where the shepherds spent the night, and some of the caves were quite large.  Tired of hunting David, Saul went into one of the caves to take a nap.  As it happened, David and his men were hiding in that cave but Saul didn’t see them, as I Samuel 24:3 tells us.  “And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.”

 

Almost everyone knew that God had chosen David as the next king of Israel. and David’s men saw this as God giving him an opportunity to get rid of his enemy, as I Samuel 24a:4describes.  “And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee”

 

David cut off the skrt of Saul’s robe as proof he could have killed him, but refused to kill him, hoping it would embarrass him and make him realize David had no intention of killing him.  Later he regretted even doing that, because although Saul was trying to kill him, he realized he still had no right to murder him and especially since he was a man God had chosen, as I Samuel 24b-7 tells us.  “Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.  And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.  And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.  So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.”

 

After Saul left the cave, David revealed himself to him, Asking why Saul had listened to lies about his wish to kill him and showing he had no such intention, refusing to do so even when he had the chance, by displaying Saul’s skirt, as I Samuel 24:8-15 describes.  “David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.  And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.

 

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.  After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.  The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.”

 

David was willing to trust God to make things right and refused to try to force things to happen before God intended it.   Saul was forced to admit David was not trying to kill him and his own actions were wicked.  He admitted he knew David was following God and would one day be king, and asked David to promise not to destroy his family, in I Samuel 24:16-2.  “And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.  And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.  And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.  For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

 

And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.  Swear now therefore unto me by the LORD, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house.  And David sware unto Saul. And Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto the hold.”

 

Saul had repeatedly broken agreements in the past and David did not trust him not to break another one, so he and his men found another hiding place.    

God Intervenes To Save David

Knowing that Saul was determined to kill him, David took refuge in the wilderness.  Jonathan found out where he was and came out to encourage him, as described in I Samuel 23:15-18.  “And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.  And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.  And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.  And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. “

 

Hoping to incur the Kings favor, the inhabitants of the wilderness agreed to betray David to Saul, in I Samuel 23:19-23.  “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?  Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.

 

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.  Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.  See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.”

 

By the time they came to the wilderness of Ziph, David had moved to wilderness of Maon.  In the wilderness of Maon, Saul was able to surround David and his men and his capture appeared certain, as I Samuel 23:24-26.  “And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.  Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.  And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.”

 

Desperate to kill David, Saul had taken the entire army to the wilderness, leaving the borders unguarded.  The Philistines had taken advantage of the situation to invade Israel, and if they were not stopped, they might take over all Israel.  To save the nation, Saul was forced to withdraw and fight the Philistines, as we see in I Samuel 23:27-28.  “But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.  Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.”

 

When Saul withdrew his army, David seized the opportunity to go to  place where he would be harder to trap, oing to the hills and caves of Engedi, as I Samuel 3:29 tells us.  “And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.”

 

God had repeatedly saved David from Saul, but this is the most obvious time he directly intervened on David’s behalf. Only he could cause the Philistines to attack at just the right time to force Saul to withdraw.  Its easy to forget how powerful God is.  As Romans 8:31 asks,”…If God be for us, who can be against us?”  With all the power of the Israelite government behind him, Saul could not capture or kill David because God was protecting him.

  

Saul Neglects Business To Satisfy Obsession

As king, Saul’s primary job was to protect his people against foreign raiders, but he was so busy trying to kill David he didn’t have time to take care of business.  When David learned of Philistine raids, he asked God what he should do about them, in I Samuel 23:1-2.  “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.  Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

 

David’s men were concerned about getting caught between the Philistines and Saul’s army, so David asked the Lord again to make sure he was doing the right thing, in I Samuel 23:3-5.  “And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?  Then David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah: for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.  So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.”

 

David had done what was Saul’s responsibility, but Saul did not appreciate it, viewing it as an opportunity to trap David, as I Samuel 23:7-8 describes.  “And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.  And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.”  A complete narcissist, Saul didn’t care about anyone or anything except getting his own way.  Instead of rescuing Keilah from the Philistines, he was going to attack the city in an effort to kill David. 

 

When Ahimelech’s son Abiathar fled Nob to escape Saul’s executioner, he had carried the Ephod, part of the High Priest’s garment with him, as I Samuel 23:6 tells us.  “And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.”  Knowing Saul would not give up, David asked Abiathar to act as high priest and ask God what Saul would do, in I Samuel 23:9-12.  “And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.  Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.  Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.  Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.”

 

God warned that not only would Saul come against him, but that because of their fear of Saul and his threats, the people of Keilah would betray David in an effort to keep Saul from attacking them.  David and his men left quickly, seeking a good and easily defended hiding place.  Upon learning of their departure, Saul turned elsewhere seeking them, as I Samuel 23:13-14 describes.  “Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.  And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”

 

Demonically obsessed with killing David, Saul neglected everything else, but God prevented him from catching David.    

Saul Orders The Priests Killed

David had fled for asylum to Gath, but upon learning he had been recognized, he didn’t dare stay, hiding out in the cave Adullam, accompanied by his brothers and about four hundred other men.  Fearing for his parents safety, he took them to the king of Moab for safety, in I Samuel 22:3-4.  “And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.  And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.”

 

The prophet Gad warned David not to stay in the cave as his presence there was known so he went and hid in a forest, in I Samuel 22:5.  “And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.”

 

Saul learned that David had been in the cave Adullam.  In his obsession, he accused his followers of selling out to David and betraying him, in I Samuel 22:6-8.  “When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;) Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?”

 

In an effort to relieve Saul’s anger, Doeg the Edomite told about seeing David visiting with Ahimelech the priest, in I Samuel 22:9-10.  “Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.  And he inquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

 

Doeg successfully turned the anger away from Saul’s followers by redirecting it toward God’s priests.  Like many narcissists or sociopaths, once Saul got an idea into his mind, no amount of evidence or logic would change it, as we see in I Samuel 22:11-19.  “Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.  And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

 

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?  Did I then begin to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not show it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.”

 

While Doeg worshipped at the Tabernacle, he had no real fear or respect for God and he killed eighty five of the priests at Saul’s command.  Saul’s refusal to obey had turned God away from him, and his killing the priests started turning the people away from him, although he didn’t realize it at the time.  David protected the one priest who had escaped, gaining people’s respet when they learned about it, in I Samuel 22:20-23.  “And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.  And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.”