1 Samuel 21 Devotional

Hunger, Fear and Holy Bread

David is alone, hungry and running. At Nob he tells the priest Ahimelech that he is on a secret mission for the king, which is not true (21:2). Ahimelech gives him the consecrated bread, the only bread there, and Goliath's own sword (21:6, 21:9). Then David flees to Gath, of all places. Recognized there, he is afraid and pretends to be insane, scratching at the gate doors (21:12-13).

The text does not dress this up. The giant-killer is frightened, deceptive and humiliated, and the next chapter will show how much his lie at Nob cost. Yet Jesus later pointed to this very scene, reminding his critics that David and his companions ate the consecrated bread when they had nothing to eat (Mark 2:25-26). God's purposes for David had not shrunk along with his courage. He stayed faithful to his anointed even at his lowest. That does not excuse David's deceit. It does show that God's care for his people does not wait until they are at their best.

To think about: In what area are you acting out of fear right now, and how might God's faithfulness invite you to honesty instead?