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CHAPTER 12 : David at Nob - Observed by Doeg - Flight to Gath -
David feigns Madness - The Cave of Adullam - Shelter in Moab - Return
to the land of Israel - Jonathan's Last Visit - Persecutions by Saul. (1
SAMUEL 21-23)
AMIDST the many doubts which must have beset the mind of David, one
outstanding fact, however painful, was at least clear. He must henceforth consider
himself an outlaw, whom not even the friendship of a Jonathan could protect. As
such he must seek some shelter - best outside the land of Israel, and with the enemies
of Saul. But the way was far, and the journey beset by danger. On all accounts - for
refreshment of the body, for help, above all, for inward strengthening and guidance -
he would first seek the place whither he had so often resorted (1 Samuel 22:15)
before starting on some perilous undertaking.
The Tabernacle of the Lord was at that time in Nob, probably the place that at
present bears a name which some have rendered "the village of Esau" (or Edom) -
reminding us of its fatal celebrity in connection with Doeg the Edomite. The village
is on the road from the north to Jerusalem - between Anathoth and the Holy City,
and only about one hour north-west from the latter. Here Ahimelech (or Ahiah, 1
Samuel 14:3), the great-grandson of Eli, ministered as high-priest - a man probably
advanced in years, with whom his son Abiathar (afterwards appointed high-priest by
David, 1 Samuel 30:7) was, either for that day or else permanently,^193 conjoined in
the sacred service.
Nob was only about an hour to the south-east of Gibeah of Saul. Yet it was not
immediately on parting with Jonathan that David appeared in the holy place. We can
readily understand that flight along that road could not have been risked by day -
nor, indeed, anywhere throughout the boundaries of the district where Saul's
residence was. We therefore conclude that David lay in hiding all that night. It was
the morning of a Sabbath when he suddenly presented himself, alone, unarmed,
weary, and faint with hunger before the high-priest. Never had he thus appeared
before Ahimelech; and the high-priest, who must, no doubt, have been aware of
dissensions in the past between the king and his son-in-law, was afraid of what this
might bode. But David had a specious answer to meet every question and disarm all
suspicion. If he had come unarmed, and was faint from hunger, the king's business
had been so pressing, and required such secrecy, that he had avoided taking
provisions, and had not even had time to arm himself. For the same reasons he had
appointed his followers to meet him at a trysting-place, rather than gone forth at the
head of them.
(^)