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From the brilliant luster of the valley of Elah , the scene changes for David—to the household of Saul. Here the soothing notes of his harp, and the valiant exploits of his sling and his sword, are replaced with envious looks and heartless attempts on his life. Saul owed much to David, yet the javelin was Saul's return. But the Lord kept His dear servant safe amid all the intricacies of such an extremely difficult position.

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. Wherefore, when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

Even though anointed king of Israel, and loved by all who were enabled to trace his moral worth, David was called on to endure the hatred and reproach of the ruling power. Being totally opposite in principles, it was impossible for Saul and David to continue dwelling together—separation was necessary. Saul occupied the throne and David was content to wait on God, and in meekness abide His time. Till then, the Spirit of God led him in the path of an exile. His way to the throne lay through multiplied sorrows and difficulties. Like his antitype, Jesus Christ, David was called to suffer before being glorified.

David honored Saul as "the Lord's anointed." and would have served him to the end. If the moving of a finger would have set him on the throne, David would not have taken advantage of it. We know this to be true because of the evidence—twice he saved Saul's life, even though he had the power to take it. Simply put, David waited on God. This was his strength, his elevation—his entire dependence. He could say, "My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him."

We observe that, as a servant in the household and army of Saul, David happily maneuvered through the snares and dangers placed in his path. The Lord delivered David from every evil work, preserving him for that kingdom to which God purposed to raise him "after that he had suffered a while." David had come from a place of secret discipline and training, to the battlefield, and now was called to learn some deeper lessons in the school of God .

Sometimes the Lord's lessons are painful and difficult, because of the waywardness or indolence of our hearts. However, every lesson learned, every principle imbibed prepares us for that yet before us. It is blessed to be a disciple of Christ, yielding to His gracious discipline and training. In all things, the soul finds joy in being subject to the Master.

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30).

There are three rests spoken of in Scripture. First, the rest sinners enjoy in the accomplished work of Christ; second, the present rest that saints enjoy in being entirely subject to the will of God; third, the rest that awaits the people of God.

David knew about and enjoyed the second rest, being entirely subject to the counsel and will of God regarding the kingdom. He was prepared to wait on God, assured that God's time was the best and wisest time.

This subjection saves us from much anxiety of heart and restlessness. When we are truly habitual walking in the conviction that God is making “all things to work together for our good," our spirit is tranquillized. Too often we vainly imagine that we can manage things better than God. We may not say so in words; but we are prone to feel and act like it’s so. May the Lord grant us a more subdued and confiding spirit.

It was the subdued and confiding spirit that led David to surrender, regarding the kingdom, taking his place in the lonely cave of Adullam . He left Saul, the kingdom, and his own destiny in the hands of God, assured that all would be well. We can assume that David was happy to be outside the unhealthy atmosphere of Saul's house; away from the jealous glance of Saul's eye! He could breathe more freely in the cave, no matter how it might seem from man's view. It’s always true—the place of separation is the freest and the happiest. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul; but, at the same time, there was subjection to his power as reigning king of Israel . The serious student of God’s Word will have no difficulty in distinguishing between separation and subjection—both are complete.¹

We must view Saul from both a secular and religious point of view. It was the religious element in his personal character and official capacity that needed distinct and decided separation. Saul had manifested a desire to rule over the conscience in religious matters; thus the scene in 1 Samuel 14, where, as we have seen, spiritual energy was hindered by Saul's religious rule. When such rule is set up, there can only be separation. When form without power prevails, the solemn word of the Holy Spirit is, "From such turn away." Faith never stops inquiring, where shall I "turn"? We are told what to turn away from, and when we have yielded obedience, the rest follows.

However, this principle will be seen in a clearer light when we consider David from a typical point of view. In reality, David was forced into the place of separation. Thus, as one rejected by man, but anointed of God, we see in David’s rejection a type of Christ. In principle, David was God's king, and as such experienced man's hostility—driven into exile to avoid death. The cave of Adullam became the gathering place for those who loved David; who were weary of Saul’s unrighteous rule. As long as David remained in the king's house, there was no call on any one to separate. But, the moment the rejected David took his place outside, no one could remain neutral. Therefore we read,

Every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

The line of distinction was clearly marked—David or Saul. All who loved form, an empty name, a powerless office, continued to follow Saul. But, those dissatisfied with such things, who loved the person of God's anointed king, flocked around David. The company assembled there no doubt presented a strange appearance to the carnal and worldly, yet it was a company gathered round the person of David, linked to his destiny. It was composed of men whose condition seems to have driven them to David; men who were now deriving character and distinction from their nearness and devotedness to the person anointed by God. Away from Saul, away from all that marked his power, they could enjoy the sweetness of unhindered fellowship with David, who, though now rejected, would soon ascend to the throne, wielding the scepter, to the glory of God and the joy of His people.

We see in David and his despised company a precious sample of the true David, and those who prefer companionship with Him to all the joys, the honors, and emoluments of earth. Those casting their lot with David had nothing to do with the interests of Saul. They had found a new object, a new center—communion with God's anointed.

Their place around the person of David was not dependent on, or connected with, what they had been. No; it mattered not what they had been. They were now the servants of David—he was their captain. This gave them character. They had joined with God's exile; their interest and his were identical. Happy company! Happy to escape from the rule and influence of Saul, to be in companionship with God's anointed king. Their discontent, distress, and debt, were forgotten in their new circumstances. The grace of David was their present portion; the glory of David their future prospect.

The same should be true for Christians. Through grace, and the gentle leadings of the Father, we have found our way to the anointed and rejected Jesus—now with God. No doubt, each of us had our features of character in the days of our guilt and folly—some discontented, some in distress, all in heavy debt to God—miserable, ruined, guilty, void of everything that could recommend us to Christ. Yet God led us to the feet of His dear Son where we found pardon and peace through His precious blood. Jesus has removed our discontent, alleviated our distress, cancelled our debt, and brought us near His beloved person.

What are we giving back for all this grace? Are we affectionally gathering around the Captain of our salvation? Are we weaned from the state of things under Saul? Are we living as those who are waiting for the day when our David shall come again? Are our affections set on things above? The apostle says,

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:1-4).

We should be concerned that few enter the true nature and practical consequences of association with the crucified and risen Jesus—few enter into the depth and meaning of our Lord's words, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world"; or of the Spirit's word, "The Sanctifier and the sanctified are all of one."

In like manner, we do not put away things of earth in order to become heavenly, but because we are so. Abram's calling was to leave kindred and go to Canaan . Our calling is a heavenly one (of which Canaan was a type), and in proportion of our entry into it, are we separated from earth. But to make our standing the result of conduct, instead of conduct the result of standing, is a grievous error. Why does a Christian desire to stand apart from the present world? To become heavenly? No. Because the present world is under judgment? No doubt it is under judgment, but this is not the true basis of our separation. What then? "We have died, and our life is hid with Christ in God."—"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." "Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling."  It does not matter if the world is good or bad; though we are in it, we are not of it.

We may inquire what all this has to do with the cave of Adullam ? It illustrates the Christ’s rejection which all who enjoy fellowship with Him know. Of course, neither David nor his men knew anything about the heavenly calling of the Church. Foreshadowing of the heavenly calling can be discovered in Old Testament Scriptures, through the character, walk, and circumstances of certain prominent persons introduced therein.

But properly speaking, the heavenly calling was not known until the Lord Jesus took His seat on high, and the Holy Spirit came down to believers, Jew and Gentile alike, baptized into the one body. Then the heavenly calling was developed in all its power and fullness. This truth was an essential part of the mystery committed to Paul, embodied in these words, "Why persecutest thou ME?" Saul was persecuting the saints, and the Lord Jesus appeared to him in heavenly glory, telling him that these saints were part of Him—they were His members on earth. Henceforth this became Paul's great thesis. In it was involved the oneness of the Church with Christ, and therefore the heavenly calling of the Church.

Observe that all this was not merely an admission of the Gentile into the Jewish fold.² No, it was taking both Jew and Gentile out of their circumstances in nature, and setting them down in new circumstances—circumstances new to both. The work of the Cross was needful to break down the middle wall of partition, and to make one new man, i.e., to make Jew and Gentile a new heavenly man, separated from this earth and its aims. The church of our Lord belongs to Heaven—called to manifest on earth the living energy of the Holy Spirit who dwells in her.

As David's men were removed from connection with Saul's system by virtue of their association with him, so all who are led by the Spirit to know oneness with the rejected Jesus, are, by reason of that blessed oneness with Him, dissociated from present things.

Therefore, a heavenly man does not mix with the plans and pursuits of this age because Christ is at the right hand of God, and Christians identified with Him. Having been cast out by this world—separated from its objects and pursuits—we gladly take our place with Jesus Christ. All who understand the true nature of the heavenly calling walk in separation from the world.

Sadly, today there are many who are satisfied with mere knowledge of the forgiveness of sins, never thinking of going further. They have, in effect, passed through the Red Sea but manifest no desire to cross the Jordan , to the land of promise. Just as in David's rejection; many Israelites did not stand with him. It was one thing to be an Israelite; it was another to side with David. Though Jonathan loved David as his own soul, still, even he lived and died in companionship with Saul. True, he spoke up for David, seeking his company when he could. Though he stripped himself to clothe David, he did not join him. Consequently, when the names and deeds of David's worthies are heralded by the Holy Spirit, we look in vain for the name of the affectionate Jonathan. When the devoted companions of David's exile were mustering around his throne in the sunshine of his royal countenance, Jonathan was mingled with the dust, having fallen on mount Gilboa by the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines!

We pray that all who profess to love the Lord Jesus Christ will seek a more decided identification with Him in this the time of His rejection! Some sent a message after Him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us." Shall we spend out time associating with such? God forbid. May our hearts be with Him where He is. May we know the hallowed fellowship of the cave of Adullam , where the Prophet, Priest, and King can be found, embodied in the beloved Person of Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

We cannot walk with Saul and David at the same time. We cannot hold up Christ and the world at the same time—we must choose. The Lord grant us grace to reject evil and choose good, remembering the solemn words of the apostle: "This is a faithful saying; for if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us." This is our time of suffering, the time for enduring afflictions and hardness; we must wait a while longer for the time of rest and glory.

By reason of their association with him, David's men were called to undergo much toil and fatigue. But, their love for David made everything easy; and their names and exploits were recorded and faithfully remembered when David was at rest in his kingdom. None were forgotten. 2 Samuel 23 provides the precious catalogue, and will, no doubt, lead us onward to the time when the Lord Christ shall reward His faithful servants—those who have loved His person; those led by the energy of His Spirit; who have performed acts of service for Him in the time of His rejection. These acts may not be seen, known, or thought of by men; but Jesus knows them, and will publicly declare them from the throne of His glory. Who would ever have known the acts of David's loyal men if the Holy Spirit had not recorded them? Who would have known of the three who drew water from the well of Bethlehem ? Who would have known of the slaying of a lion in a pit, in the time of snow?

Just as today, hearts throb with love for the Person of the Savior—hearts that are unknown to the world. Hands are stretched forth in service to Him—hands that are unobserved by the worldly eyes. Even in this age of cold formality, it is sweet to think of those who sincerely love the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, there are many today who are not only indifferent to His beloved Person, but who traduce Him, attempting to rob Him of His dignity, making Him little better than Elias, or one of the prophets. But we have a happier theme to consider.

We shall think of those valued men who jeopardized everything for the sake of their captain. Valued men who were ready to risk it all, the instant he uttered his desire. Love never pauses to calculate. For those men who were loyal and faithful to David, it was sufficient just to know that he longed for a drink from the well of Bethlehem —no matter the cost to themselves, they determined to procure it:

And these three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.³

Lovely scene! Sweet example of what the Church should be—risking life to the death for Christ's sake.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will kindle within every true believer a flame of ardent love for the Person of Jesus Christ, that we may know Him to be the fairest among ten thousand, altogether lovely, and be able to say,

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Phil. 3:8).

Footnotes:

¹ The New Testament teaches the Christian to be subject to the powers that be, never contemplating the idea of us being in the place of power. Hence, there are no directions for a Christian as a king or magistrate, though there is ample guidance for a Christian as a husband, father, master, or servant. This speaks volumes.

² Regarding the opening verses of John 10: The Lord Jesus presented Himself at the door of the Jewish fold. Having obtained entrance, He called out His sheep that were therein, and says, "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one flock, and one Shepherd." A fold is an enclosure for the separation and safety of the sheep; hence the word is properly applied to the Jewish economy. Now, however, it is no longer a fold—an earthly arrangement—a penning up of sheep here below. The heavenly Shepherd has called forth His Jewish sheep from the earthly fold and His Gentile sheep from the dark mountains of this wide world, and made them one flock, giving them freedom, and committing them to the Father's hand. Thus we see the difference between the words "fold" and "flock."

³ Whether we contemplate the act of the three mighty men in procuring the water for David or David's act in pouring it out to the Lord, there is something peculiarly touching and beautiful in this scene. It is evident that in an act of such uncommon devotedness, David discerned a sacrifice that none but the Lord Himself was worthy to receive. The odor of such a sacrifice was far too fragrant for him to interrupt it in its ascent to the throne of the God of Israel. Therefore very properly and gracefully, he allows it to pass him by, in order that it might go up to the One who alone was worthy to receive it, or able to appreciate it. All this reminds us of that beautiful compendium of Christian devotedness set forth in Philippians 2:17, 18: "Yea, and if I be poured out upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all: for this cause do ye also joy and rejoice with me." In this passage, the apostle represents the Philippian saints in their character as priests, presenting a "sacrifice" and performing a priestly ministration to God. Such was the intensity of his self—forgetting devotedness that he could rejoice in his being poured out as a drink offering on their sacrifice, so that all might ascend, in fragrant odor to God. The Philippians laid a sacrifice on God's altar, and the apostle was poured out on it, and all went up to God as an odor of sweet smell. It mattered not who put the sacrifice on the altar, or who was poured out thereon, providing that God received what was acceptable to Him. This truly is a divine model for Christian devotedness. If only we had grace to form our ways according to it—there would be far less of “me,” and “mine;” less of "my sayings," "my doings," and "my goings."