Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#6]
FUGITIVE- DEPRESSION AND RESTORATION
1 Samuel 22:1-5
Introduction:
David had already been anointed as King; but instead of being the acting King, he was a fugitive. For many chapters, we watch David run and hide. This is the 3rd of 4 weeks looking at David, the fugitive. This morning, we are going to look at the depression and restoration that David experienced.
David had reached the bottom and he was on his way up; but the story is not over yet. He was back in Israel, still running, and still hiding. He came to a place called the Cave of Adullam.
1 Samuel 22:1
On your way up from the bottom…
1. Welcome family.
David’s family found out that David was in the area, so they went to see him. There are times in life that you just need your family to be there. This isn’t always the case- Some do not have a good relationship with their family.
1 Samuel 22:2
On your way up from the bottom…
2. Lead those who God has entrusted you with.
Every troublemaker in Israel came out to join him. He was the captain of the crooks. These men who came to David in the wilderness would 1 day become his mighty men. In later years his greatest warriors would come from this group. As David changed, his men changed. As he began once again to walk with God, so did they. This was the beginning of David’s court. It doesn’t look like it, these 400 hoodlums huddling in a cave with the future king of Israel; but God had been at work in David’s life shaping him into a king. By the time David was ready, these men would be ready, too.
1 Samuel 22:3-4
On your way up from the bottom…
3. Take care of those that God has entrusted you with.
David knew that it would be dangerous for his parents to follow him, so he left them with the king of Moab. This does not include his brothers- They were part of his fighting men. God entrusts us with people’s lives and we have to consider what is best for them.
1 Samuel 22:5
4. Listen to those that God has put in your life.
David was going to stay in the stronghold for a while; but Gad said to go into the land of Judah. It is hard to do something that seems like a bad idea. This is 1 of the ways that God communicates with us- Through others.
Conclusion:
Things were not perfect for David; but you can see how God was restoring him. When you are down, don’t forget that God is still working. God was preparing David for the future- He may be doing the same in your life.