APRIL 3rd
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF David’s MOVEMENTS WHILE ON THE RUN FROM SAUL - NOB
Reading: 1 Samuel 21:3-9
David’s movements and betrayal by Doeg the Edomite while on the run from Saul provide shadow and striking spiritual similarity of our Lord in His Work of
Redemption. Like Judas Iscariot, Doeg represents all that betrays when there should be praise. Doeg’s name means fearful and epitomizes that which is anxious, overly concerned, and
careful. As an Edomite and descendant from Esau the red or earthy man, his name connotes his carnal and deceitful nature which never makes God one’s strength. As in this case and all
others, the righteousness prevail and wonder as seen through the movements of David, beloved of God and foreshadow of Jesus Christ our Lord.
First Samuel 21:1 begins, “Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest…” Nob means a high place which was a priestly city of Benjamin near
Jerusalem. The Scriptures declare that our Lord, too began at a high place. It is written in Ephesians 4:10, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens,
that he might fill all things.” Isaiah 57:15 reads. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Perhaps the Holy Ghost through Zacharias summed it well when He declared the
Dayspring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1: 78-79).
It was at Nob where David and those with him ate the hallowed bread, an instance representing the invasion of an order from a higher realm. After all, it was only
lawful for the priests to eat the shewbread. As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus referred to this specific instance in the Gospels as a teaching point that the Sabbath is made for man and not man
for the Sabbath (Mark 2:26-28). David also retrieved the sword of Goliath, a constant reminder of victory over the enemy. Spiritually, Nob is that place in Christ Himself for all
believers who have entered into His rest and His Life. At this powerful place, there will be those that rejoice together and those without such as Doeg who seek to betray. Watch and pray.
Continued