Leaving the Philistines to whom he should never have gone, David went to the cave Adullam, the name of which means, "resting place." There God graciously gave him rest, and now that he was separated from Saul and his system of things, many came to be identified with him in the cave. His brethren who had once despised him, went down there to him, and everyone in distress, and all in debt, and all the discontented gathered themselves to him. Their distress was relieved; their debts no longer oppressed them; their discontentment ceased. We hear of none left out; "everyone", is the term used of all three classes in the second verse,—all who were not at rest in their state went to David.
How this pictures for us Jesus and what His grace does for the confessed sinner who comes to Him. Drawn to Him, when here upon earth, were the needy ones of all classes and conditions, and invariably when faith drew them, their burden of sin was removed.
In Matthew 9:1010And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. (Matthew 9:10) we read that "many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples;" and in Luke 15:2 The proud Pharisees and scribes murmuring said, "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."
All that came to Him then were received; none were turned away, and He is still "receiving sinners" and "eating with them."
Have you come to Jesus, dear reader, you who are reading these lines? Then He would have you "gathered" to Himself (verse 2, and Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)), distress of soul gone, in a happy realization that your immense debt has been forgiven when you had nothing to pay (Luke 7:41-5041There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:41‑50)), and contented to abide with Him.
The Holy Spirit now is seeking to gather the loved ones of God to meet around His Son by faith. It is a place where the reproach of Christ (Heb. 11:2626Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:26)) is found, but the unseen though real company of Himself is more than compensation for those who are gathered to Himself alone.
If in this part of David's history we have a picture of what God is now doing for His Son in the time of His rejection here, we may gather that David's sending his parents away (verses 3, 4) expresses in a figure what has happened to Israel, (See Rom. chapters 9, 10, 11). They will be brought back when the present age is ended.
Verse 5 shows us a prophet with David, and the close of the chapter adds the priest, Abiathar, the only remaining one of the house of priests. In Christ the three offices of prophet, priest and king are combined. (See Acts 3:2222For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. (Acts 3:22); Heb. 4:14-1614Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14‑16); Matt. 2:22Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2) and many other passages, including Luke 19:12-1512He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. (Luke 19:12‑15)).
David may not yet set up the kingdom for which he had been appointed of God, even in the cave Adullam. Through long years he must prove in his own experience the utter rejection of himself by the man who wrongfully held the authority over his people, and be content with a little flock of devoted ones. At verse 6 we are transferred to this false king's court, to hear his thoughts, and view his servants standing about him. Leader of the servants is Doeg the Edomite, one of the children of Esau who became implacable enemies of Israel. (See their destruction prophesied in Ezekiel 35 and Obadiah's short prophecy). He is the fit instrument of Saul (and viewing the cause of Satan) for the murder of the priestly family, and every living thing in the city where they lived, except Abiathar, who escaped to David.
Abiathar finds safety with David whose word was, "Abide thou with me, fear not for he that seeketh my life, seeketh thy life; but with me thou shalt be in safeguard." Those who trust in Jesus have His precious assurance.
"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man (no one) is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."
"Happy, they who trust in Jesus; Sweet their portion is, and sure."