Wisdom Wednesday: The Wisdom of David -Part 2
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;
For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”), Ps 11:1–3 NASB 95
This week, we look at the evidence of David’s faith in God and wise behavior while he was in exile from the kingdom. This exile lasted almost a decade when David was between the ages of 20 and 30. Because he was brought to the court of King Saul, David’s rise in rank and his personal popularity resulted in the hatred of the king (1 Sam 18-19), and he was chased through the countryside for a decade, at first alone and then with loyal soldiers. Ten chapters of 1st Samuel (18-27 ) give the account of this grueling decade while David was a fugitive, being chased across the land of Israel from the north to the south, and the east to the west.
Bible scholars have identified with some uncertainty the Psalms that he wrote at specific times in this challenging period of his life. We look today at a few that illustrate the wisdom of his faith and confidence in God.
- As David fled, he first went to Ramah to hide with Samuel, who had anointed him and in whom he had confidence. (1 Sam. 19:12–18) It was probably here, as Saul sought to kill him since it was only a few miles from Saul’s residence, that he wrote Psalm 11 recognizing God is His refuge (vv. 1-3 above) and that He is sovereign in protecting him, “The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.” (vv. 4-5)
- Next, he fled south to Nob first, and then Gath where he was denied refuge by the Philistines and he even had to feign epilepsy or being mentally ill to avoid capture. (1 Sam. 21) This was a different kind of fear he faced, and he expressed his fears and tears before the Lord in Psalm 34. “I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.” (Psa. 34:4–7)
- Then he fled to another walled city where he was joined by 400 men to help him. One of Saul’s herdsmen, Doeg of Edom, betrayed his location and Saul sought him again. At this time scholars believe he wrote Psalm 64 after recognizing he was betrayed and men again plotted to kill him. “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity,” (Ps 64:1–2)
- Continuing through the hill country of Judea, and even to shore of the Dead Sea, David and his men, David was visited by Saul’s son, Jonathan, who encouraged him (1 Samuel 23:16–18). By now, probably after over 7 years in exile, David had accumulated 600 men and settled in Maon in the hill country of Judea. Being sought again, he moved to the wilderness of Ziph, and then on to Ziklag, where he probably penned, “For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, and from the snares of those who do iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I pass by safely.” (Ps 141:8–10)
In addition to these selected Psalms, commentators believe the other Psalms written by David while a fugitive, include 11, 13,22, 31,40,52, 54, 56, 58, 59, 54,59,59,64,64,109,120,141, and142.
It is hard to imagine being a fugitive being hunted by a wicked king seeking to murder you. David experienced this and the Psalms attributed to him in this period show the fear and anxiety he experienced. It also shows the wisdom he exhibited as he cried out to God, sought to rely on Him alone, appealed to God’s care, and expressed confidence in God as his ultimate refuge.
Like David, let us turn to the Lord when we are threatened in any way – the LORD is over all things, and He alone is the refuge of the righteous.