1 Samuel 22:2
And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.
David had killed Goliath and was considered a hero among his people. They loved him and were ready to follow him. God had anointed him with power and strength and willed that he would become the king of Israel. This did not make the current king, Saul, very happy. Even Saul’s son, Jonathan, was willing to serve David as king.
Saul, being outraged, was on a mission to find and kill David. How could this boy, this shepherd, come in and take over his kingdom? Not only was he after David, but he also wanted to hunt down and kill anyone who had helped or associated with him. David’s men were scared. They didn’t know what to do, but they trusted David and continued to follow him.
The Bible tells us that everyone in distress or in debt, and everyone discontented, went to David, and he became their captain, or leader. Does this remind you of another Leader? I’m talking about Jesus here, folks!
Christ came on the scene in this world as our King. He conquered our taunting enemy, our Goliath, death. He upset the current kingdom of Satan when He defeated his champion (John 12:31 refers to the Devil as “...the ruler of this world...”). And, just like David, He’s gone away for a while before His imminent return to establish his perfect Kingdom!
(One point I would like to clarify: Jesus has not gone away in fear of the current ruler of this world, but rather to prepare a place for us. His work is finished; He is the King. I’m just making a connection between David and Jesus.)
All throughout the New Testament Jesus calls for the broken, the needy, the distressed, those in debt, and the discontented to be brought to Him. Not only does He want them to come to Him, but they want to be with Him. We are to be like the 400 men who went with David. Are you in debt? Are you in distress? Are you discontented? Then run to Jesus. He is your King. He is your Refuge and Strength. He is your Comforter, Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Savior, Friend, Inheritance; He is Everything!
Though they were hiding in caves, these men were with the king. God had already made the arrangements and the time was coming when He would set David above all Israel. Friends, though we may be hiding in caves, we are with the King. God has already raised Christ up and set Him on the Throne of Glory in Heaven. We are His loyal subjects and as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:14)! We are free from fear, from bondage, from death, from the clutches of the ruler of this world. We are in Christ Jesus, heirs to His kingdom and the riches of His glory!
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