Purim!

One of my favorite holidays of the year is the festival of Purim. Unlike other Jewish holidays in which there are strict observances set forth in the Torah, the only command for Purim is that it is to be celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month Adar (which occurs in February or March on the Gregorian calendar.) This year Purim will be celebrated from sunset on February 28 through sunset on March 1. Purim is mostly a holiday filled with lots of fun events including dressing up as your favorite character from the book of Esther!


The Basics
The entire holiday of Purim is set aside to celebrate the Jews triumphal victory over the wicked Haman and his evil plot to exterminate the Jews as detailed in the Book of Esther. During the holiday, the Book of Esther is read in synagogue. (And I would suggest, if you wish to appreciate all the characters and things associated with Purim, it would be very beneficial to read the Book of Esther as well.) When the book is read, any time Queen Esther or Mordecai are mentioned, the audience breaks out into spontaneous cheers and shouts of joy. When the evil character Haman is mentioned, the crowd stomps its feet and shout out booing.

The word Purim is derived from the Persian language which translated into English means lots. In the Book of Esther, Haman casts lots (i.e., throws dice or uses some sort of divination) to determine when he should carry out his evil plan of exterminating the Jews. The 13th of Adar (the 12th month on the Jewish calendar) was slated to be the date. On the 13th of Adar, the Jews and the Persians fought. On the 14th of Adar, the Jews in the Persian kingdom celebrated a glorious victory over their foes. (The Jews in the Persian capital city of Sushan fought for a second day on the 14th of Adar. On the 15th of Adar they held a giant celebration.) From this time forth, the 14th of Adar has been remembered and celebrated as a joyous day when the Jews defeated their enemies.


The Story in a Nutshell
The Person Empire of the 4th Century BC extended across 127 lands from northern Africa and Asia Minor in the east across to India in the west. All the Jews living in this region were ruled by the Persians. When King Ahasuerus has his wife, Queen Vashti, dethroned for failing to follow his orders, he arranged for a search to find a new queen. (I like to call this the very first beauty pageant, Miss Queen of Persia.) A young Jewish woman, Esther, found favor in the king's eyes and became the new queen. Under the command of her cousin, Mordecai, Esther never divulges her Jewish nationality.

Subsequently, Haman, a Jew-hating man, was appointed as prime minister of the empire. Mordecai defies the king's orders and refuses to bow down to Haman. Haman becomes infuriated and convinces the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th day of the month Adar, a date picked via casting lots (purim).

When the decree is made public, Mordecai rallies the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray. Moreover, he entreats Esther to ask the king to rescind his decree. Esther bravely goes before the king's throne and asks him (and Haman) to join her for a feast. After her courage fails her the first day, Esther asks the King and Haman to join her on the following day for another feast. At the second feast, Esther reveals to the king her Jewish identity. Haman begs the queen's forgiveness, but the king orders Haman to be hung. When Esther reveals to the king that Mordecai is her cousin, the king appoints Mordecai to be prime minister. A new decree is issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemy.

On the 13th of Adar, the Jews kill many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rest and celebrate their triumphant victory. In the capital city of Sushan, the Jews take one more day to finish killing their enemies.


Other Facts
Esther's name is derived from the goddess Ishtar. Ishtar was the Babylonian and Persian goddess of war, love and fertility. She was called Ashteroth by the Phoenicians. Esther's Hebrew name is Hadassah. Hadassah is derived from the Hebrew word hadas which means myrtle tree. According to Jewish tradition, a myrtle trees represents righteousness in Scripture. The sages in the Midrash take this one step father and say just as a myrtle tree has a sweet smell and a bitter taste, so too Esther was good and listened (sweet) to the righteous Mordecai. She was adverse (bitter) to the wicked Haman.

The Book of Esther, known as "the Scroll" (Megillah) in Hebrew, is a book in the third section (Ketuvim "Writings") of the Jewish Bible. It is one of five scrolls (Megillot) in the Hebrew Bible. The Books of Esther and Song of Solomon are the only books which do not explicitly mention God in the text.

The book of Esther consists of an introduction in chapters 1 and 2; the main action occurs in chapters 3 to 9:19; and a conclusion is given in chapter 9:20-10:3. The plot is structured around banquets (mishteh), a word that occurs 20 times in the Book of Esther and only 24 times in the rest of the Hebrew Bible. This is apropos given that the Book of Esther describes the origin of a Jewish feast, the feast of Purim.

The Book of Esther became the last of the 24 books of the Tanakh (Old Testament) to be canonized by the Sages of the Great Assembly. It is usually dated to the fourth century BC. The Greek Book of Esther included in the Septuagint is a re-telling of the events of the Hebrew Book of Esther rather than a translation. The Greek book includes additional traditions which do not appear in the original Hebrew version. One such addition is the identification of Ahasuerus with Artaxerxes and includes details of various letters. The Coptic and Ethiopian versions of the Book of Esther are translations of the Greek version rather than the Hebrew version of the Book of Esther.

(Side note: The Tanakh also called the Mikra or the Hebrew Bible, is the canonical collection of Jewish texts, which is the textual source for the Christian Old Testament. These texts are composed mainly in Biblical Hebrew, with some passages in Biblical Aramaic. The traditional Hebrew text is known as the Masoretic Text. The Tanakh consists of 24 books.

Tanakh is an scronym of the first letter of each of the Masoretic Text's three subdivisons: Torah ("Teaching", also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im ("Prophets") and Ketuvim ("Writings"). Hence it is called TaNaKh. The name Mikra, meaning "that which is read", is another Hebrew word for the Tanakh. The books of the Tanakh were passed on by each generation, and according to rabbinic tradition, they were also accompanied by oral tradition called the Oral Torah.)

Purim Observances
1. Hear the Megillah
At synagogues across the world, the whole Megillah scroll (aka, the Book of Esther) is publicly read twice--once on Purim night and again on Purim day. This year, that is Wednesday night, February 28 and Thursday, March 1.

2. Give to the needy (Matanot LaEvyonim)
One of Purim's main themes is Jewish unity. Haman tried to kill all the Jews. Being unified in danger, the Jews also unify in celebrating. During Purim, there is a special emphasis on caring for the less fortunate. A main act of kindness is giving food or money to at least two needy people. On Purim, a donation is given to whomever asks. Many synagogues take up special offerings during this time to give to charity in their communities.

3. Send food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot)
The holiday of Purim emphasizes the importance of friendship and community. One way of showing this spirit is by sending food gifts to friends. The tradition is to send at least two ready-to-eat food and/or beverage items to at least one acquaintance. Men send gifts to men; women send gifts to women. It is preferable that the gifts be delivered via a third party. As with all the observances, children also participate in sending gifts. Additionally, children are often employed as the messengers in delivering the gifts.

4. Masquerade!
On Purim, children (and some enthusiastic adults) dress in costumes, an allusion to God's hand in the Purim miracle, which was disguised by natural events. Girls often dress up as Queen Esther, and boy often dress up as Mordecai. Many synagogues have a masquerade party, along with prizes for the children during or after the Megillah reading.

5. Feast!!!
During Purim day (March 1), families gather together and often invite guests to celebrate a Purim meal. Traditionally, the meal begins before sundown and lasts well into the evening. The table is covered with a nice tablecloth; candles give the illumination. The meal features meat, wine, Jewish songs, words from the Torah and lots of laughter and joy. The feast is a great celebration of eating, singing and having fun.


Purim Food
1. Hamantaschen
The most famous Purim food is hamantaschen (Yiddish for Haman's pockets). These treats are thinly rolled dough cut into circles with their sides folded up around a dollop of filling. The cookie can be crumbly if made with oil or soft when made with butter or cream cheese. The hamantaschen can be filled with almost anything--fruit, cheese, chocolate, nutella or savory ingredients.

The cookie itself is highly symbolic. The most common interpretation is that they resemble the three cornered hat worn by Haman. In Hebrew, the cookies are called ozney Haman which means "Haman's ears". This refers to the custom of cutting off a criminals ears before his execution. A third  idea suggests that each corner of a hamantaschen represents one of the fathers of Judaism--Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--whose power weakened Haman and gave strength to Esther to save the Jews. Lastly, one more thought is that because the German word taschen means "pouch" or "pocket". The cookies could signify Haman's pockets, and the money he offered to the king for permission to kill the Jews.

2. Challah
Challah is a traditional Jewish braided bread made with eggs, flour, water, yeast, sugar and salt. A special Purim Challah is usually oversized and extensively braided. The braids on the challah are intended to remind people of the rope used to hang Haman. The term challah originally refers to the commandment of separating a portion of the dough before braiding it. This portion of the bread is set aside as a tithe for the priests. In Hebrew, this commandment is called hafrashat challah or "separating challah". This obligation applies to any loaf of bread, not just to the Sabbath bread.


3. Bean dishes
Bean dishes include salted beans, and boiled chickpeas seasoned with salt and pepper. These dishes are to remind the people that Esther would not eat anything at the court of King Ahasuerus that was not kosher. So, she mainly ate peas and beans.

4. Kreplach
Kreplach are triangle pouches filled with chopped meat, mashed potatoes or other filling. They are usually boiled and served in chicken soup; although they may also be served fried and served alone as a side dish. They are similar to the Polish uszka, Russian pelmeni, Italian ravioli or tortellini and Chinese wontons. The dough is traditionally made of flour, water and eggs. It is kneaded and rolled out thin. Some modern-day cooks use frozen dough sheets or wonton wrappers. Ready-to-eat kreplach are also sold in the kosher frozen foods section of some grocery stores.

1 Samuel Chapter 22 Part Two (Verses 11-23)

3. (1 Sam 22:11-15) Saul accuses Ahimelech of conspiracy with David
Then the king sent someone to summon Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's household, the priests who were in Nob; and all of them came to the king. Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." And he answered, "Here I am, my lord." Saul then said to him, "Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?" Then Ahimelch answered the king and said, "And who among all your servants is as faithful as David, even the king's son-in-law, who is captain over your guard, and is honored in your household? Did I just begin to inquire of God for him today? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to any of the household of my father, for your servant knows nothing at all of this whole affair."

Then the king sent someone to summon Ahimelech...and all his father's household: Doeg's suggestion that the priests were David's allies at once arouses Saul's worst passions. The sending for all the priestly house to Gibeah when Ahimelech alone is to blame--if there was blame--looks as though Doeg and Saul had predetermined the wholesale massacre which followed.

Listen now, son of Ahitub: Saul gives a direct charge against Ahimelech; yet, he does not address Ahimelech by his name or title of high priest, which shows Saul's great contempt for the priesthood.

And he answered, "Here I am, my lord.": Despite not receiving any respect by Saul, Ahimelech gives great honor to King Saul, by addressing the king as "lord". It seems Ahimelech knows he is innocent of any charge the king may present against him and with great boldness is ready to hear what the king has to say to him.

And who among your servants is as faithful as David: The words of the high priest were no doubt the general sentiments of the people respecting David. What Ahimelech, the guardian of the sanctuary, had done was nothing extraordinary to assist one of Saul's most loyal and devoted servants as David had proven himself to be.

Did I begin to inquire of God for him today: It was probably usual to consult God by the high priest's Urim and Thummin on all matters of importance. David, as a high officer in Saul's court, must have often consulted the high priest before starting out on his expeditions.

Urim and Thummin: The meaning of the words Urim and Thummin are unknown. Some scholars believe the words mean "lights and perfections". These items were part of the breast plate worn by the high priest. Many believe the items were colored rocks stored inside a pouch. The high priest would inquire of the LORD and reach his hand into the pouch. Depending on which rock the high priest drew out of the pouch determined what God's answer to the question was. The Urim and Thummin first appear in Exodus 28:30: "You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and Thummin, and they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually."


4. (1 Sam 22:16-19) Saul commands the execution of the priests and their familites, and Doeg the Edomite carries it out
But the king said, "You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's household!" And the king said to the guards who were attending to him, "Turn around and put the priests of the LORD to death, because their hand also is with David and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands to attack the priests of the LORD. Then the king said to Doeg, "You turn around and attack the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. And he struck Nob the city of the priests with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and infants; also oxen, donkeys, and sheep he struck with the edge of the sword.

You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father's house: Saul was in such a deep state of sin and rebellion, he could not tolerate to see an innocent, guiltless man like Ahimelech disagree with him. So, Saul commanded him to be murdered.

This is quite a change in Saul's character. In 1 Samuel 15:0, Saul was commanded to kill the enemies o the LORD. But Saul only fulfilled part of the command and spared Agag the king. Now, Saul seems eager to kill the LORD'S priests in cold blood. Saul is clearly being tormented by the evil spirit and is slipping farther and farther away from sanity. Perhaps Saul was still angry at God for taking away the kingdom from him. One way Saul could retaliate was by killing the LORD'S priests. Of all the treacherous things Saul had done in his life, this was by far the worst act Saul ever did.

The guards who were attending to him: The Hebrew here is better translated as "runners". These were the men who ran by the side of the king's horse and chariot as his escort. In constant training, there were capable of maintaining a great speed for a long time. Here there were present at the king's council as his body guards.

But the servants of the king were not willing to put forth their hands: The servants are tremendously brave and courageous. Here, they directly disobey the king's order, an act which could mean execution of their own lives. As powerful as Saul was, it is comforting to see that people in Saul's kingdom still honored God and knew God's commandments, i.e., "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). Although it is heart-warming to see that Saul's servants did not fulfill Saul's command, it is heartbreaking to see that these servants did nothing to stop Doeg from killing the priests. As courageous as it was for them to disobey Saul, it would have been even more heroic if they would have tried to stop Doeg from carrying out his mass slaughter of the priests. It is often easy to say "no" and be disobedient, but the true test comes in defending the innocent and protecting the guiltless.

Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests: It is very likely Doeg did not kill all these people by himself. He most likely was assisted by his own loyal servants. For this heinous act, Doeg has been recorded in most ancient Jewish writings as the most wicked man who meets us in the Holy Scriptures.

He killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod: Not satisfied with wreaking his rage on innocent men, Saul next destroys the city of the priests, barbarously massacring their whole families, both men and women, children and infants, and even their livestock. It is an act in strange contrast with the pretended mercy Saul showed when he spared Agag and the best of the Amalekite spoil on the pretense of religion (See 1 Samuel 15:1-9).

Only once before had such a terrible calamity befallen the descendants of Aaron. That was when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and killed Hophni and Phinehas (and subsequently the high priest Eli died upon hearing the terrible news about his sons and the Ark of the Covenant). (See 1 Samuel 4) But, the Philistines were enemies of the Israelites, and they even allowed the women and children to escape. Saul, however, killed his own countrymen in cold blood.

The linen ephod: The ordinary priests appear to have worn a linen apron over their garment. The priests probably came from Nob to Gibeah clad in their official custom out of respect to the king who sent for them. The murderous act assumes a more gruesome character when we imagine the victims, the priests of the living God, clad in their white ministering robes.

Prophecy fulfilled: The doom upon the house of Eli prophesied in 1 Samuel 2:31 ("Behold, the days are coming when I will break your strength and the strength of your father's house so that there will not be a old man in your house.")  becomes fulfilled by Doeg's actions. So heavy of a blow was inflicted on the house of Ithamar, that when David organizes the courses of the priests for the temple service only eight "chief men" could be found in it, against sixteen in the family of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 24:4).


5. (1 Sam 22:20-23) David protects Abiathar, the only survivor of Ahimelech's family
But one son of Ahimelech, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household. Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life, for you are safe with me."

Abiathar: Of those who dwelt at Nob, only one single priest, Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, seems to have escaped the massacre. It has been suggested that when his father and the whole body of priests went to Gibeah, in accordance with the summons of King Saul, Abiathar remained behind to perform the necessary functions of the sanctuary. When he heard of the death of his father and his brother priests, he made his escape and eventually joined David. The exact time period of his coming to David and his exiled gang is uncertain. There seems to be no mention of time anywhere. It seems probable that the meeting and interview with David in 2 Samuel 22:20 and following verses did not happen immediately after the massacre at Gibeah.

After the death of Ahimelech, Abiathar became the high priest. Abiathar occupies an important place in the story of David's life. Throughout David's reign, Abiathar continues to be David's faithful friend. The close of his life, however, was less than perfect. In the troubles which arose about the succession of the next king, in the last days of David's life, Abiathar sided with Adonijah. He subsequently was deposed of by the successful ascent to the throne of Solomon from being high priset. Abiathar was sent into banishment to the city of Anathoth. (See 1 Kings 2:26)

I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: David showed how he felt about this in Psalm 52, which says in its title: "A Contemplation of David when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, and said to him, 'David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.'"

In Psalm 52, David shows his outrage against Doeg: "Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying more than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue." (Psalm 52:1a, 2-4)

In Psalm 52, David shows his confidence in God's judgments: "God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living." (Psalm 52:5)

In Psalm 52, David shows his focus on the LORD: "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good." (Psalm 52:8-9)

I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household: David meant this in two ways. Firstly, it was David's mere presence with Ahimelech that made him guilt before Saul, and there really wasn't anything David or anyone could do about that. Secondly, David's lying to Ahimelech made the priest vulnerable before Saul. We know from both 1 Samuel and the Psalms that David turned his heart back to the LORD and asked forgiveness after he lies to Ahimelch. David was restored, but there were still bad consequences to come from David's lies.

For you are safe with me: David could not do anything about the priests who were already murdered. He confessed his guilt in the matter and sought forgiveness from the LORD. Now, all he can do is minister to the need in front of him--Abiathar, the surviving priest.

1 Samuel Chapter 22 Part One (Verse 1-10)

DAVID AT THE ADULLAM CAVE; SAUL MURDERS THE PRIESTS

A. David at Adullam cave
1. (1 Sam 22:1a) David's distress at Adullam
So David departed from there and escapes to the cave of Adullam

The cave of Adullam: Adullam means refuge and was an ancient royal city of the Canaanites, in the neighborhood of Jarmuth, Socoh, Azekah and Shaarim, all places near the valley of Elah (Joshua 12:15 and Joshua 15:35). In this valley, some ruins have been discovered bearing the name Aid el Ma, which is thought to be a corruption of Adullam. They lie at the foot of a high rounded hill and has a commanding view over the main valley to the east. It forms a natural fortress, well adapted for the site of a city, which numerous ruins show once stood there. The sides of the tributary valleys are lined with rows of caves, amply sufficient to accommodate David and his 400 men.

And escaped to the cave of Adullam: This was David's place of refuge. He could not go to his house. He could not go to the palace. He could not go to Samuel. He could not go to Jonathan. He could not go to the house of the LORD. He could not go to the ungodly. The one place David could go was to a cave and find refuge.

The title of Psalm 142 reads: "A contemplation of David. A prayer when he was in the cave." Psalm 142 goes on to describe David's discouraged heart. "I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul." (Psalm 142:1-4)

The title of Psalm 57 reads "A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave." Psalm 57 describes David as the LORD strengthened him in the cave and prepared him for what was next.

In verse one, Psalm 57 shows David with a humble heart: "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!"

In verse two, Psalm 57 shows David with a prayerful heart: "I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me."

In verses four and five, Psalm 57 shows David with a realistic heart: "My soul is among lions...they have prepared a net for my steps."

In verses five and eleven, Psalm 57 shows a heart of trusting praise to the LORD: "I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations...Be exalts, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth."

The LORD brought David into this place while he was still in the Adullam cave. We often think we have to get out of the cave to have the heart David has in Psalm 57. The truth is, no matter what our circumstances, we can have a heart like David's right now.


2. (1 Sam 22:1b-2) Others come to David at the Adullam cave
And when his brothers and all his father's household heard of it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.

When his brothers and all his father's household heard of it: The first people to join David in his exile is his family. This is a precious gift from God. Previously, all David had was trouble persecution from his father and brothers (1 Samuel 16:11 and 1 Samuel 17:28). Now they were the first people to join David at Adullam.

Everyone who was in distress...in debt...discontented: Had Saul's government been just and upright, David would have had no followers. But, Saul never rose above the level of a soldier and seems entirely unaware of it being his duty to attend to the righteous administration of the law.
The Israelites had the very king they had desired, but they found a brave general might at home be a ruthless tyrant.

Debt was one of the worst evils of ancient times. The rate of usury was so exorbitant that a loan was sure to end in utter ruin, and not only the debtor, but his children might end up being slaves to repay the debt. ("Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, 'You servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves" 2 Kings 4:1.) It was one of the first duties of an upright governor to enforce Torah against usury. ("Now in the case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you" Leviticus 25:35-36.) There were probably many in the land impoverished by Saul's own taxation and made bitter of soul by his cruelty and injustice. All such were glad to join David in his life as an outlaw.

He became captain over them: This was not an undisciplined ragtag gang of discontents. These men David quickly organized by degrees, among whom, many were men of valor and of great military skill. These men needed a leader, and David was just the man for the task.


3. (1 Sam 22:3-4) David cares for his parents
And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me." Then he left them with the king of Moab; and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

Mizpah of Moab: This particular Mizpah is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture. Mizpah means a watch tower. It was probably some mountain fortress in Moab. David evidently sought hospitality among his kin in Moab. Jesse, David's father, was the grandson of Ruth the Moabitess. The distance from the south of Judah, where David and his group were located, to Moab was not far. Additionally, Saul had waged war on Moab ("Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab..." 1 Samuel 14:47.), and the king was probably happy to help one of Saul's enemies.

Until I know what God will do for me: David expresses his hopes, as one that had entirely cast himself upon God, and committed his way to Him. David was trusting not in his own strength but in the wisdom, power and goodness of God.

All the time that David was in the stronghold: This does not refer simply to the time David was in Moab, but it refers to the entire time until David is settled in Hebron. According to Jewish tradition, the king of Moab betrays David and murders his parents. This perhaps is supported in Scripture when David exacts a heavy vengeance on Moab when he comes to the throne. ("Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines. He defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute" 2 Samuel 8:1-2.)


4. (1 Sam 22:5) David hears from the prophet Gad
The prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah." So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.

The prophet Gad: From this time onward throughout the life and reign of David, Gad the prophet occupies a significant place. He is mentioned as the king's seer in 2 Samuel 24:11 ("When David arose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying"). In 2 Chronicles 29:29 ("Now the acts of King David, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet and in the chronicles of Gad the seer"), Gad is a compiler of the acts of David, along with Samuel and Nathan. In 2 Chronicles 29:25 ("He then stationed the Levities in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with harps and with lyres, according to the command of David and of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the command was from the LORD through His prophets"), he is mentioned with Nathan the prophet as the man who had drawn up the plan of the great temple services. Lastly, it was Gad who was sent to offer David his choices of punishments for his sin in numbering the people of Israel (2 Samuel 24:11 and following verses).

Depart and go into the land of Judah: Gad gives David essential information; David should flee Moab and return to Judah. Had David not done so, he probably would no have become king. By living in Judah, and protecting the people from the Philistines, which Saul could not longer do, David grew in reputation and power. From the list of those who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:1-22), it is evident that not only did the people support David, but there was a strong enthusiasm for him throughout all Israel.


B. Saul murders the priests

1. (1 Sam 22:6-8) Feeling sorry for himself, Saul accuses his aides of treason
Then Saul heard that David and the men who were with him had been discovered. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree on the height with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Hear now, O Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse also give to all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day."

Then Saul heard: No note of time here is given as to how long it was after David's exile in which the news of David's whereabouts were divulged to Saul. It is most likely, Saul heard of David's location when David had set up camp in the forest of Hareth with a disciplined, armed force.

Saul was sitting in Gibeah: We have a very vivid picture here of Saul and his officials meeting to administer justice against David. The king sits under a tamarisk with his spear, the symbol of royalty, in his hand, and his servants, still mainly from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin, standing around him.

O Benjamites: Saul had evidently failed in blending the twelve tribes of Israel into one nation. He had begun well, and his great feat of delivering Jabesh-Gilead by summoning troops from all Israel together must have given them a nationalistic feeling of unity. Yet, now we find King Saul isolated, and this address to his officers seems to show that he had aggrandized his own tribe at the expense of the rest. Moreover, Saul appeals to the worst passions of these men, and asks whether they can expect David to continue this favoritism, which had given them riches and posts of power.

For all of you have conspired against me: Saul turns upon his officers and fiercely accuses them of banding together in a conspiracy against him, to conceal from him the private friendship which existed between his son, Jonathan, and his enemy, David.

When my son makes a covenant: It seems as though Saul had learned something of what passed between Jonathan and David when they met for their farewell during the New Moon feast. ("So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, 'May the LORD require it at the hands of David's enemies'" 1 Samuel 20:16.)

There is none of you who is sorry for me: These words of the sad king, tormented by the evil spirit ever whispering doubt and jealous thoughts into the king's mind, are here strangely real and pathetic.


2. (1 Sam 22:9-10) Doeg reports on Ahimelech and David to King Saul
Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing by the servants of Saul, said, "I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. He inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine."

Then Doeg the Edomite: Doeg has already been mentioned in Scripture in the preceding chapter. His presence in this meeting under the tamarisk tree among the Benjamite chieftains indicates that he was a person of no insignificant importance at the Court of Saul. Jewish tradition tells us that Doeg was skilled in all learning. Doeg the Edomite and Ahitophel (whose counsel was taken as the oracle of God) are represented in the Talmud as the most learned men of their time.

He inquired of the LORD for him: This, although not expressly mentioned in 1 Samuel chapter 21, was probably the main object of David's visit, and Ahimelech does not dispute this charge in 1 Samuel 22:15.

Gave him provisions: Ahimelech did this very innocently, and Doeg knew that. But Doeg represented these acts as a conspiracy against Saul, in which Ahimelech aided and abetted David.

1 Samuel 21 (Verses 1-15)

DAVID AT NOB AND AT GATH

A. David meets Ahimelech the priest at Nob
1. (1 Sam 21:1-2) David, fleeing from Saul, comes to the city of Nob
Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest; and Ahimelech came trembling to meet David and said to him, "Why are you alone and no one with you?" David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has commissioned me with a matter and has said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the matter on which I am sending you and with which I have commissioned you; and I have directed the young men to a certain place.'"

Then David came to Nob: Before leaving his native land, David was determined to take counsel with the high priest of Israel. It is no doubt that David probably had an intimate relationship with the high priest due to his extensive service under King Saul.

Ahimelech: He was the 12th high priest. His name means brother of a king. He was the son of Ahitub and father of Abiathar.

Nob: Town of Nob was situated between Anathoth and Jerusalem. (Anathoth was the hometown of Jeremiah the prophet.) Nob means knoll or hill. At this time Nob was a city of priests (1 Samuel 22:19). although it is not specified among the places assigned to them by Joshua when the land was divided when the Israelites first settled the promised land. Here, as it is clearly inferred from 1 Samuel 21:6, the Tabernacle, which has not been mentioned since the death of Eli, was now standing.

Why are you alone and no one with you: In Mark 2:26, Jesus speaks of those who were with David and the young men are mentioned in verses 4 and 5. While David went alone to consult Ahimelech, he most likely took a few servants with him and had probably left them somewhere outside the Tabernacle, or more probable, he had instructed them to meet him with as many men as they could collect at a designated place. The arrival of the king's son-in-law without an escort would naturally strike the high priest as strange and therefore alarming.

The king has commissioned me: This is a plain lie, extorted from David by fear, and one that was very detrimental to all the priests there. After this incident, David declares his repentance for it ("Then David said to Abiathar, 'I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household'" 1 Samuel 22:22.).


2. (1 Sam 21:3-6) David asks for and received holy bread
"Now therefore, what do you have on hand? Give me fives loaves of bread, or whatever can be found." The priest answered David and said, "There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is consecrated bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women." David answered the priest and said to him, "Surely women have been kept from us as previously when I set out and the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was an ordinary journey; how much more then today will their vessels be holy?" So the priest gave him the consecrated bread; for there was no bread there but the bread of the Presence which was removed from before the LORD, in order to put hot bread in its place when it was taken away.

What do you have on hand: David, being in a great hurry to flee from Saul, hastily asks Ahimelech for anything which might be quickly given to him. Ahimelech probably had food in his home which could have been prepared for David, but David needed to flee and needed food he could take with him.

There is consecrated bread: The Tabernacle of the LORD had a table that held twelve loaves of bread, symbolizing God's continual fellowship with Israel. The importance of the bread is found in its name. Literally, "showbread" means "bread of faces". It is bread associated with and eaten before the face of God. To eat the showbread was to eat God's bread in God's house as a friend of the LORD. In that culture, eating together formed a bond of friendship that was permanent and sacred. The showbread remained in God's presence from sabbath to sabbath. The old bread was eaten by the priests in the holy place, and fresh bread was placed before the LORD. ("Then you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it; two-tenths of an ephah shall be in each cake. You shall set them in two rows, six to a row, on the pure gold table before the LORD. You shall put pure frankincense on each row that it may be a memorial portion for the bread, even an offering by fire to the LORD. Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before the LORD continually; it is an everlasting covenant for the sons of Israel. It shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him from the LORD'S offerings by fire, his portion forever" Leviticus 24:5-9.)

If only the young men have kept themselves from women: It was requisite that all who ate of the holy bread should have observed the same purity of the priests, particularly in the instance of abstinence from all women. Ahimelech suspects that David or his men might be lacking this qualification, and therefore inquires concerning it. Out of respect to David, Ahimelech does not mention David in the inquiry, only the young men. David, however, shows that he was intended to be included in the inquiry by stating "surely women have been kept from us".

The vessels: Their backpacks or other portable luggage into which the bread would be put. If these were Levitically unclean, they would defile the bread. David means to say, "Since we have just left home, you may readily suppose that no impurity has been contracted. It would be different if we were returning home from a journey, when on the way, especially in war, uncleanness might be contracted by the blood of enemies."

Jesus refers to this as an instance of the great principle that where moral and ceremonial obligations come into conflict; it is the latter which must give way because the rite is only the means and the moral duty the end. The high priest was bound to preserve David's life, even at the expense of a ceremonial rule. (See Matthew 12:3-4, Mark 2:25-26 and Luke 6:3-5.)


3. (1 Sam 21:7-9) David receives a sword and is spotted by one of Saul's servants
Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's shepherds. David said to Ahimelech, "Now is there not a spear or sword on hand? For I brought neither my sword not my weapons with me, because the kings's matter was urgent." Then the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if you would take it for yourself, take it. For there is no other except it here." And David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."

Doeg the Edomite: He may have come over to Saul in his wars with Edom. ("Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment" 1 Samuel 14:47.)

The chief of Saul's shepherds: Herds were the main part of Saul's wealth. Being the chief shepherd would have been a person of great importance in Saul's court.

Detained before the LORD: The literal Hebrew here is "shut up in close seclusion within the precincts of the Tabernacle", perhaps either for some vow or for purification. From future accounts of Doeg's character, it is hard to believe that Doeg was detained before the LORD at the Tabernacle for some real spiritual reason. It is most likely that Doeg was there fulfilling some ceremonial requirement related to his employment for King Saul.

Is there not a spear or sword on hand: The sight of Doeg made David feel how helpless he was in case of an attack. David excuses his request for weapons by saying that he had left home unarmed because of the urgency of the king's business. The whole matter must have seemed very suspicious to Ahimelech, but in respect to David, Ahimelech replies that he only has Goliath's sword.

The sword of Goliath: David was happy to have this great weapon. As David held this sword, he should have remembered how he came to win it. He did not do it with lies and half-truths. He did it with a bold trust in God, a trust that believed God and trusted Him to sort out the consequences. David can have the sword of Goliath in his arsenal, but he would be better equipped if he had the faith that killed Goliath. Is David now trusting in the Philistine's sword more than his shepherd's tools which killed Goliath? There was nothing wrong with Goliath's sword. The LORD use it before to slay Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51) but only in the context of strong faith.

It is wrapped in a cloth: The Hebrew word used here translated as "cloth" is also used in Isaiah 9:5 and means military attire. It may have been that Goliath's sword was wrapped in Goliath's war mantle. Either way if it was just a plain cloth or Goliath's mantle, the sword would have been wrapped up to protect it from rust and moisture.

There is none like it; give it to me: Goliath's sword instantly reminds David of his great achievement and of God's incredible deliverance from the giant. Knowing that something is precious and wonderful makes us want it. Being in a time of trial or stress makes us want the wonderful item all the more. If this was true of Goliath's sword, it is even truer of the sword of he Spirit, God's Word. We should always say of God's Word, "give it to me".


B. David at Gath

1. (1 Sam 21:10) David flees to Gath
Then David arose and fled that day from Saul, and went to Achish king of Gath

Then David arose and fled that day: David's attempt to protect himself with clever lies instead of trusting God to protect him did not bring lasting results. David had to flee. The cause for this sudden flight was, of course, the fear of Doeg, one of Saul's most trusted servants. "Not an hour must be lost," thought David. "My deadly foe will hear that I am here, and I shall be trapped like a hunted beast of prey."

Went to Achish king of Gath: The term "king" is a loosely used term here. Achish was one of the Philistine lords. Achish is called "Abimelech" in Psalm 34, written by David in grateful commemoration or his escape. Abimelech seems to be the official title of the kings of Gath, handed down through many successive centuries. ("Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines" Genesis 26:1.)

Gath: In David's blind fear, he escapes to the first city on the Israel-Philistine border. Gath was about 25 miles from the Tabernacle at Nob. Gath was the hometown of Goliath. Perhaps David did not think highly of himself that he should be recognized several years after he killed Goliath. David, just a young boy when he slayed Goliath, no doubt now was a man with a beard. As for David carrying Goliath's sword, it probably was not a very distinct sword. It was not remarkable for its size and was probably just a regular looking sword copied after those from Greece.


2. (1 Sam 21:11-12) David's predicament in Gath
But the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of this one as they danced, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tent thousands'?" David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.

Is this not David: Although David in his humility did not suspect how wide spread his fame was, he was evidently well known in Philistia as in his own land.The popular folk-song of the Israelite women was no doubt known on frontier towns such as Gath. At once, David was recognized. David evidently hoped not to be recognized but to be admitted to serve as a soldier or in some other capacity without many questions being asked. We find Cushites, Maachathites and other foreigners in the service of David when he becomes king. There probably was desertion of service of one's own king for one of an adjacent land. In that day, kings had absolute authority. If you disagreed with the king, either you stayed silent or moved to another land. Any displeasure against the king resulted in one's death.

David took these words to heart: This discourse deeply affected him and made him think he was not safe there. When he discovered that his fame was spread among them as having slain thousands of the Philistines, he concluded that the Philistines would take revenge on him now that David was in their city.


3. (1 Sam 21:13-15) To escape, David pretends madness
So he disguised his sanity before them, and acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, "Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman in my presence? Shall this one come into my house?"

He disguised his sanity: The title of Psalm 56 states that it was written by David "When the Philistines laid hold on him in Gath," and though it is not expressly said here that he was arrested, the words "acted insanely in their hands" together with the mention of his "escape" in 1 Samuel 22:1 seems to imply that he was a prisoner.

Acted insanely in their hands: The literal Hebrew is "he roamed here and there, restless, and in terror."

Scribbled on the doors of the gate: Literally, the Hebrew verb means "to make the mark of the tav". Tav is the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet and anciently was written as a cross. The gate, on the leaves of which David scrawled, was probably that of the court or waiting room, in which the servants of Achish passed their time when attending the king. Probably David had witnessed these symptoms of madness in Saul during his fits of insanity.

Let his saliva run down into his beard: This was an especially convincing sign of insanity because in that culture only a man out of his right mind would allow something like this to happen. An indignity to the beard was considered an intolerable insult and would not have been permitted by a normal person.

Why do you bring him to me? Do I lack madmen: David's plan worked. Achish decided that this was not David...or if it was David, they would let such a pathetic man go.

Was David walking in the Spirit or in the flesh when he pretended madness? Some commentators believe David was in the flesh and trusting himself. But, the change of Psalm 56 happened before David's escape. It makes sense that the LORD would guide David into a path of escape that would humble him. When David tried to protect himself with lies and tried to find refuge among the ungodly, he really was acting crazy. When David repented, asked for mercy and again trusted in the LORD, it was as ig the LORD said. "You have been acting like a madman. Keep the act going, and I will get you out of this."

Psalm 34 is David's declaration of joy when he escaped from Gath with his life. The title of Psalm 34 reads, "A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed."

Psalm 34 begins beautifully: "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:1-4). David was overwhelmed with gratitude to the LORD. David is especially joyful because the LORD got him out of a mess that David had made himself. God's amazing goodness is shown when He delivers us when we really do not deserve it.