1 Samuel 19–20

David is now homeless, haunted by Saul’s madness,
Stripped of his position, honored occupation,
 Fighting battles for the king victoriously,
Is now persecuted, causeless, needlessly.
The wilderness is now his home with some
Loyal followers through to roam,
Seeking shelter, food and to hide,
That he may the spies of Saul avoid.
Hunger him to priest Ahimelech drove
By lying to receive a loaf,
But only sacred, hallowed bread the priest could spare,
What proved to him a deadly snare,
For he was watched by one wicked of Saul’s servants there.
He and all his house and priests were slain,
By helping David and his men.
One son escaped and joined himself to David,
And others who were discontented, in distress, now did
Then stay with him about 400 (later 600).
Distrusting Saul, his father’s house came as well,
Felt themselves unsafe as one can tell,
David for them intreated Mizpeh, Moab’s king,
To grant a place to them for a secure, safe living.

……………………………

David’s life was now of mere unrest,
A constant getaway from one danger and the next,
Being spied upon, would even be betrayed,
By those he saved in battle with the Philistines –
The men of Keilah – as the inquired ephod said (1 Samuel 23:6-12).
Immediate danger of discovery in this relentless persecution,
Uncertainty and fears,
Filled David, the anointed Shepherd boy the onward days and years.
Can anyone conceive the meaning of such hardship and ordeal?
It seemed so unjust how fate with David here did deal.-

……………………………

Saul proved a failure as a ruler, king,
Too stubborn, unteachable in everything,
Pertaining never to true godliness,
His judgements were irrational, uncouth, unsound,
Wanting reason, righteousness.
God then prepared, His chosen king for Israel a man,
Humble, teachable, just and sane,
To be a blessing for the land.

…………………………

In those years of suffering adversity,
David often bent his knee,
In prayer seeking refuge in the God of Heaven,
With crying for deliverance, protection,
Was pouring out his grief and weariness of endless wanderings,
A life of constant need for food and shelter,
It often brought him to despair,
For all of it, it seemed not fair…
To his men however David was the hero
Non perceived his apprehension, fear, oh, no –
He was strong, enduring ever so courageous,
His bravery was always so contagious…

 In prayer he wrote down his sorrow, the frustration,
With profound, intense emotions,
Unloading then the burden of his mind and the desires,
Talking to God all what lay hidden in his heart, the pains, the fears,
In lonesome nights, away from camp with many tears…
Inspired when delivered from Saul’s menacing,
 His soul did overflow with gratitude, thanksgiving,

Creating psalms of praise with joyful singing.
Revealing there the innermost afflictions, conflicts and desires
Of his soul have been immortalized –
Became a blessing, comfort, hope to all
Who go through trials, pain and turmoil,
Receiving strength, encouragement amidst distress,
Confidence for overcoming, fortitude in striving after godliness.

The treacherous encounters David suffered in his youth,
Matured him by those events uncouth,
And leaning in his mind upon the mercy, guidance of his God,
He graciously had been delivered from many a heinously laid plot.
The years of enduring hardship, want, perplexity,
Evolved the novel virtuous patience, faith and trust,
A character of humility, dependency,
All this Providence desired for Israel, of His chosen people’s king.
As time went on then David was a 30 years young man,
The perfect age for God’s intented plan

 Then on the horizon a new dawn arose,
Bringing the life of wandering and danger to a close….
Amen.

 

To be continued

Edda Tedford, Canada