Daily Devotional

“David said to Abiathar … ‘Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but H with me you shall be safe’ ” (1 Samuel 22:22, 23). 

Hiding in caves and forests, David stayed on the move with his faithful band of men. His pursuer, King Saul, stood under a tree gripping his spear. His voice bellowing out to his soldiers standing around him, he railed on them for not supporting him in his pursuit of David. A lone voice spoke up. It was Saul’s commanding officer, Doeg from Edom. “I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 

And he inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine” (1 Samuel 22:9, 10). Red-faced, Saul screamed for someone to bring Ahimelech and his entire family, and soon a procession of 85 white linen-clad priests arrived. Ahimelech’s claim of ignorance of a conspiracy did not satisfy Saul, and he gave the command to kill Ahimelech and all the priests standing by. 

Doeg drew his sword and, one by one, murdered the priests of the Lord. But he didn’t stop there. Running into the town of Nob, where many priests lived, he went on a rampage, killing not only priests but men, women, children, and even animals. 

One man escaped the cloud of persecution and death that settled over Nob. Abiathar, one of the priest sons of Ahimelech, ran for his life to David and breathlessly related what had happened. David encouraged him with the words of our verse for today, assuring him that since they had the same enemy, they were in this together. Abiathar’s only safety was in staying with David. 

Our enemy, the devil, is intent on persecuting and destroying us. Our only escape is to flee to Jesus, who has assured us that since we have the same enemy, we are in this together. Our only safety is in staying with Jesus. 

Dear Jesus, thank You that we are in this together. I am fleeing to You for eternal safety today.