We're continuing our 1 Samuel study! If you missed any of the previous studies, you can find them all here: emberfaith.org/bible-studies-devotionals
Before diving in, we recommend reading 𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟭-𝟮𝟯.
𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗻 (𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟭)David is officially on the run from Saul, and the next several chapters show us how he navigates fear, trust, and survival. He first stops at Nob, where he meets Ahimelech the priest. David is desperate—he asks for food and a weapon, and Ahimelech gives him holy bread and Goliath’s sword.
This moment is important:
1. 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣.2. 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 (𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜) 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨—Saul finds out later and massacres the priests of Nob.From there, David flees to Gath, where he pretends to be insane to escape danger. This is one of those "David, what are you doing?" moments, but it shows how human he is. Even a man after God’s own heart struggles with fear and survival instincts.
𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Have you ever made a decision out of fear rather than faith? How did it turn out?
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗺 (𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟮)
David escapes to the Cave of Adullam, and this is where his leadership truly begins. He gathers a group of 400 men—not trained soldiers, but outcasts, the distressed, the debt-ridden. Basically, David becomes the leader of a bunch of misfits.
This is incredible because:• God often uses the broken, the overlooked, and the struggling to do great things.• David’s story foreshadows Christ, who also gathered the outcasts.
Meanwhile, Saul is unraveling. He hears about David’s movement and takes his paranoia to a horrifying level—he orders the execution of 85 priests in Nob because they helped David. This is one of Saul’s lowest moments—he's so focused on eliminating David that he destroys innocent lives.
𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Have you ever felt like an outsider or not “qualified” for something? How does God’s choice of David’s men encourage you?
𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗵 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 (𝟭 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝟮𝟯)
David hears that Keilah is under attack by the Philistines, and instead of acting immediately, he seeks God’s direction. Twice. Even when his men doubt, David relies on the Lord.
This chapter highlights:• God’s guidance is essential in decision-making.• David listens, obeys, and is victorious.
After this, Saul continues hunting David, but God keeps David one step ahead. Jonathan meets David and strengthens his faith, reminding him of God’s promise.
This is one of their last meetings, and it’s a beautiful picture of biblical friendship—Jonathan knows David will be king, but instead of resenting it, he encourages David to trust in God’s plan.
𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: When facing tough choices, do you seek God’s direction first? How can you practice waiting on Him?