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for the present was within, not outside the land of Israel. A comparatively short
distance - about ten miles - from Gath runs "the valley of the terebinth," the scene of
David's great combat with Goliath. The low hills south of this valley are literally
burrowed by caves, some of them of very large dimensions. Here lay the ancient city
of Adullam (Genesis 38:1; Joshua 12:15; 15:35, and many other passages), which
has, with much probability, been identified with the modern Aid el Mia (Adlem). In
the largest of the caves close by, David sought a hiding-place. What his feelings
were either at that time, or later, in similar circumstances (1 Samuel 24), we learn
from Psalm 57.
It has been well observed,^200 that hitherto David had always remained within easy
distance of Bethlehem. This would secure him not only the means of information as
to Saul's movements, but also of easy communication with his own family, and with
those who would naturally sympathize with him.
Adullam was only a few hours distant from Bethlehem, and David's family, who no
longer felt themselves safe in their home, soon joined him in his new refuge. But not
only they. Many there must have been in the troublous times of Saul's reign who
were "in distress," oppressed and persecuted; many who under such misgovernment
would fall "into debt" to unmerciful and violent exactors; many also, who, utterly
dissatisfied with the present state of things, would, in the expressive language of the
sacred text, "be bitter of soul." Of these the more active and ardent now gathered
around David, first to the number of about four hundred, which soon increased to six
hundred (23:13). They were not a band in rebellion against Saul. This would not
only have been utterly contrary to David's constantly avowed allegiance and oft
proved loyalty to Saul, but to the higher purpose of God. The latter, if we may
venture to judge, seems to have been spiritually to fit David for his calling, by
teaching him constant dependence on God, and by also outwardly training him and
his followers for the battles of the Lord - not against Saul, but against Israel's great
enemy, the Philistines; in short, to take up the work which the all-absorbing
murderous passion of Saul, as well as his desertion by God, prevented him from
doing. Thus we see once more how, in the Providence of God, the inward and the
outward training of David were the result of circumstances over which he had no
control, and which seemed to threaten consequences of an entirely different
character. How in those times of persecution outlaws became heroes, and of what
deeds of personal bravery they were capable in the wars of the Lord, we learn from
the record of their names (1 Chronicles 12), and of some of their achievements (2
Samuel 23:13, etc. comp. 1 Chronicles 11:15, etc.).
But there were among them those nearest and dearest to David, his own aged father
and mother, whose presence could only impede the movements of his followers, and
whose safety he must secure. Besides, as such a band could not long escape Saul's
(^)