The Enemy of State

1 Samuel 21

Immanuel – 6/18/23

Since last Sunday we have jumped over two and a half chapters and we land in the middle of high drama. It’s a desperate time for David. He’s been cast from Saul’s court and is now a fugitive on the run. The hunt is on.

Purpose

1. Establish context surrounding chapter 21.

2. Explain the dynamics of chapter 21.

3. Taste and see that the Lord is good!

Like I said, high drama swirls around David in chapter 21. Last week, in chapter 18, Saul began to look upon David with great suspicion. That suspicion turned deadly when he made three separate attempts on David’s life: twice trying to impale him with a spear and then sending him to the front lines to die in battle.

Soon, Saul’s secret suspicions turn into full blown conspiracy. In chapter 19, we read this:

Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard…Stay in a secret place and hide yourself…and I will speak to my father about you.” -1 Samuel 19:1-3

Jonathan is able to calm his father down and get David invited back in Saul’s court. But when Saul sees David, he is again possessed with jealous hatred and once more tries to spear David. Then, David’s wife, who is also Saul’s daughter, helps him escape Gibeah (the capital city), by a rope hanging from a window.

David escapes Saul and finds a brief refuge with Samuel. Meanwhile, Jonathan again tries to reason with his father, that Saul would not issue a death warrant against David. But then, Saul attempts to spear Jonathan – his own son! Saul’s jealousy and hatred is driving him mad, and he is now determined to kill David.

And already you can see, people are being forced to choose sides. Two of Saul’s children have chosen David. God’s prophet, Samuel, choses David. So it will continue, those disaffected by Saul will find their way to David – especially soldiers that have fought with David.

Chapter 20 closes with a moving scene. David, a fugitive, must now live on the run. Jonathan, loyal to David, must stay with his father as a voice of reason, despite the risk. Before their lives diverge and they part, they have a clandestine meeting.

They kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.

-1 Samuel 20:41-42

From that moment forward, David is actively on the run, an enemy of the state: Saul having effectively issued a death warrant for David. The first place David runs to is Nob, as we see in verse one of our passage.

Read vs 1

In Nob

If you know your Biblical history, then you know that Joshua set up the tabernacle in Shiloh. But when Samuel was a young man, the Philistines attacked Shiloh and captured the ark of the covenant. Since then the Israelites had relocated the tabernacle to Nob, about a mile northeast of Jerusalem.

In chapter 22:10 we learn that David has come to the tabernacle to inquire of the Lord, but he has also come with another purpose. More on that in a bit.

As David approaches the tabernacle, he is greeted by Ahimelech. Though the text only calls Ahimelech a priest, it seems that he is the de facto high priest. For Ahimelech’s great-grandfather was Eli (1 Samuel 22:9 and 14:3), who himself was the high priest and the mentor of Samuel. Additionally, in this chapter and the next, Ahimelech seems to carry the authority one could only attribute to the leader of the priesthood: the high priest.

Ahimelech sees David approaching, and he trembles; in a similar manner as when the elders trembled when Samuel approached Bethlehem in chapter 16. It’s not the fact that David approaches that worries him, it’s the fact that he approaches alone.

Likely, this confirms the gossip Ahimelech has heard. Though there may be other possible reasons for Ahimelech’s fear, perhaps he has heard that David is now an enemy of the state. That means David’s presence poses great risk for Ahimelech.

The risk is so great that he trembles merely at the sight of David – as we will see, a fear that is not unfounded.

Read vs 2-3

So far, in the narrative of David, this is the first time that we see he is not a perfect man. David clearly spins a deception for Ahimelech. David is on no secret mission from Saul, he’s running from Saul as a fugitive.

But for a lie to work, some truth must be woven into it. David is telling the truth, some of Saul’s young men are waiting for him in an undesignated location. “Young men” is simply another way to speak of soldiers. David is traveling with a small band of soldiers, disaffected by Saul and loyal to David. More and more people are beginning to recognize him as the true king. In the next chapter, you see this small band of soldiers swell to 400 men.

But David is alone in Nob, simultaneously wanting guidance from the Lord and lying to the tabernacle priest and suddenly cast from Saul’s court, on the run with no provisions, David is unsurprisingly famished.

Read vs 4-6

It’s interesting that David asks for five loaves of bread: and I don’t mean because of what it may remind you of in the New Testament. Five loaves are more than what David could eat by himself, but clearly not enough for a small band of soldiers. It’s almost as if getting the bread is an incidental objective; though, in his desperate state, he certainly needs it.

The priest is not an idiot, and he probably know the truth. Gibeah is not very far away and news travels fast. But despite this, Ahimelech seems to be comfortable looking beyond the inconsistencies in David’s story. But he is still a priest, a good priest. He must be careful about what is common (or profane) and what is holy. He is careful with the commands of Yahweh.

In Leviticus 24:5-9, and a few other places, God describes the nature of the bread of the Presence and the rituals that surround it. As Ahimelech says in verse 6, every Sabbath 12 freshly baked loaves were placed on the golden table to sit in the presence of Yahweh for one week.

The bread of the Presence was a reminder of manna: when God fed a desperate and dependent Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. Manna came from the hand of God, from the presence of God, a holy sustenance for an unholy people.

Now dwelling in the Promised Land, the priests who ate the bread stood as mediators for Israel, reminding Israel would forever be sustained only by the bread that comes from the presence of God. All these things, and more, were baked into the symbolism of the bread of the Presence.

This is why, after having undergone a ceremonial cleansing, and after the bread was thoroughly sanctified in the presence of God, could the highest order of priests, the descendant of Aaron – of which Ahimelech was – could remove the holy bread and eat it. David did not descend from Aaron. It was not lawful for him to eat the bread.

So, when David asked for bread, Ahimelech becomes cautious. He does not want to violate God’s command by treating what is holy as something cheap, or profane. The two most basic rituals for ceremonial cleanliness were washing your body (clothes included) and three days of sexual abstinence (Exodus 15:14-15).

Likely, David did not show up at Nob looking freshly washed. David is on the run and probably looking rather ragged. Again, Ahimelech appears to overlook this. Instead, he asks about the abstinence. David answers, “Of course none of my men have touched a woman. How could we when we are on expedition.”

Ahimelech could have given pause; because according to David’s story, he and his men have just left Saul in Gibeah, about 5 miles away, in an incredible hurry. If Ahimelech took David’s story seriously, they have not been on expedition long enough to ensure consecration.

But Ahimelech is a good man, a true priest. Again, overlooking any inconsistencies, the truth is obvious to him. David is truly hungry. Like the rest of the Israelites, he knows that God is with David. He turns over the bread to help his hungry, unofficial king.

For both the priest and David understand that feeding the hungry is more important than upholding ceremony.

In Matthew 12, Jesus speaks about this exact event. When you have some time this week, go read Matthew 12:1-8.

Back in our passage, even if David is lying and Ahimelech is playing dumb, they seem to have an understanding deeper than the words they share. It's like they are trying to guard the true nature of this meeting, as if there are eyes watching them.

Read vs 7

This detail about Doeg the Edomite seems entirely random. But when you zoom out to the surrounding chapters, there’s a very good reason this detail is included. We do not know why this gentile is hanging around the Israelite tabernacle, but his presence is foreboding.

More on that soon.

Read vs 8-9

Now we see the second main reason David has come to Nob. More than any other event in David’s life, slaying Goliath is what propelled him to prominence. It’s almost impossible to think that someone as well connected as David, with such a vested interest, has lost track of Goliath’s sword. He knows exactly where it is.

It seems to me (and a number of people smarter than me) that after seeking the Lord, David has come to the tabernacle in Nob to seek Goliath’s sword. But he doesn’t want to take it. That wouldn’t be a good look. This entire ruse is so he can have the sword freely offered to him.

Think about it. If David is on the run from Saul, and he know that God has chosen him to be king, what better object for him to carry than Goliath’s sword? That sword could become a powerful weapon of political strategy. One flash of its blade and every Israelite would remember when God used a shepherd boy to kill the giant Philistine. Ahimelech clearly remembers. And so every Israelite would be reminded that David had a special anointing from Yahweh.

I believe this is why Ahimelech appears so eager to fetch it for David. He secretly knows who should be king in Israel. Later, Saul will interpret this as Ahimelech pledging his loyalty to David.

For in the next chapter, back in Gibeah, Saul gathers all his servants and all of his commanders and demands that if anyone know anything about David, they tell him. Guess who steps forward: Doeg the Edomite. He tells of David’s visit to Nob, and how Ahimelech gave him provisions and the sword.

Enraged, Saul tells his guards to kill all the tabernacle priests of Nob, but the refuse. So Saul commands Doeg to do it. Doeg kills Ahimelech and 84 other priests. But he doesn’t stop there. He then goes on a killing spree in the town of Nob, killing men, women, children, and even the animals. In all the bloodshed, Saul does nothing. Such is Saul’s hatred. Such is the state of his fallen heart.

But for now, in chapter 21, with Goliath’s sword in David’s hand, Yahweh’s guidance in mind, and food in his belly, he gathers his crew and immediately puts further distance between him and Saul.

Read vs 10

In Gath

David flees to Gath. If you remember, that’s the very city Goliath came from; and David’s carrying the sword with which he beheaded Goliath. It will be a helpful implement for summoning Israelite loyalty, but not such a welcome symbol in Goliath’s hometown.

But the giant fell a long time ago, and David isn’t a boy anymore. He is a well-established Israelite warrior and commander with a formidable reputation. And after years in Saul’s court, his networks run deep. David flees to Gath because if Saul is his enemy, then Saul’s enemies may provide protection. The “enemy of my enemy is my friend” kind of thinking.

But according to the following events, David was hoping to hide out in Gath somewhat anonymously. It doesn’t go according to plan.

Read vs 11-12

If David is a well-connected man, then so is Achish. Achish knows what the gossip of Israel, and what – or who – has captured the hopes of Israel. The people sing of David in the same way they sing of the king.

Notice how Achish recognizes David: not as the giant killer, or Saul’s premier commander, but as the king of the land. With greater clarity than Saul, Israel’s bitter enemies can see the inevitability of God’s plan.

For David, this is an unwanted turn of events. If they know the song, then they know David is responsible for the death of countless Philistines. Additionally, if they see David as the king, then the best Philistine move might be to kill David and end the war or hold him ransom and sue for peace.

Here in Gath, David fame might be his undoing. So David again resorts to deception.

Read vs 13-15

To avoid imprisonment, or worse, David plays insane. I suppose he knew what insane looks like, because he was convincing enough to fool the king and escape.

See in this deception that David is a deeply committed man. He will do just about anything, even burn down his reputation, in order to accomplish his purposes – which are God’s purposes. David willingly afflicted himself with shame so God’s plan would not be hindered.

Of course, the author of 1 Samuel does not comment on the morality of David’s actions. But elsewhere lying and deceit are strictly forbidden by Scripture, though some allowances are made during wartime.

But even if David was deceiving Achish with false insanity, I can’t help but think that as spit ran down David’s beard, he filled his mumbled ravings with praises and prayers. For because of Psalm 34 we know that his mind was not consumed by madness in the hall of Achish. Rather, his mind was consumed with God.

Read Psalm 34

This is a Psalm rejoicing in God’s provision!

Jehovah Jireh

Psalm 34 touches on the theme that runs through all of 1 Samuel 21. Though Yahweh’s hand has been hidden, He has been working. He has been providing the entire time. Whether or not David is entirely faithful, God is entirely faithful. God provides a way of escape, He provides guidance for the unwanted, He provides food for the hungry, He provides weapons for the battle, He provides allies during a time of trouble. Yahweh provides: Jehovah Jireh.

Yahweh has indeed provided, once and for all with bread from heaven. Jesus said,

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.” -John 6:35,37-38

Jesus has come from the presence of the Father, as the ultimate provision of the Father, for all who will take and eat. There is no ceremony you must perform, no ritual cleansing to adopt. Just stop running. Simply come to Jesus and the deep hunger of your soul will be satisfied.

David’s shame is clouded with deception, but not Christ’s. In purity and truth and love, Christ humbled Himself and He took on our insanity: the type of insanity that rejects the source of all life and joy – Yahweh – as we chase the turbulent winds of self-gratification.

For one day, when we must give an account of our lives, if we have spent that life in rebellion to God, all of your impurity will be fully exposed before the overwhelming awesomeness of God. And at the deepest core of your being, as you are drown in your own shame, you will know who is holy and who is profane.

But even here, God has made provision. If we will come to Him, the Bread of Heaven will soak up all your shame. He already bore that shame when He went to the cross where He died for your rebellion.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God. -1 Peter 3:18

Jesus was convicted by the Romans as a rebel, as an enemy of the state, and killed in the most shameful manner the Romans could devise. In the eyes of the world, as He hung there on that cross with blood running down His beard, He looked like a madman. Many today still think He was. But in that madman’s face, we see the King, our Lord, our Savior, our bread from heaven.

There is no reason for shame. We have been reconciled to God. We don’t need to run. We don’t need to fear condemnation for our many rebellions. Christ has brought us to God!

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! -Psalm 34:8

Christ has taken away our shame, forgiven us for our rebellion, gives us our daily bread, and floods us with abounding life everlasting! David was an imperfect king. Jesus is the perfect, soul-satisfying, eternal King.

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

-1 Peter 2:1-6