ABIATHAR . . . the sole survivor from a massacred city
(I SAMUEL 22:19.20)
Such a thing had never been known in Israel. King
Saul had murdered a city of priests, and had thereby
sealed his doom. He had heard how they had helped
David, and, frustrated by his own inability to capture the
young prince, he was furious. He snarled, and demanded
adequate reasons why the clerics should help the enemy
of the throne. "Then Ahimelech answered the king, and
said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as
David, which is the king's son-in-law, and goeth at thy
bidding, and is honourable in thine house?" (1 Sam.
22:14). The calm, dignified answer annoyed Saul, and he
fiercely replied, "Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou,
and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the
footmen that stood about him, Turn and slay the priests
of the Lord. But the servants of the king would not .
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou and fall upon the
priests. And Doeg the Edomite . . . fell upon the priests,
and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did
wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests,
smote he with the edge of the sword" (vv. 16-19). And
the watching madman-for mad Saul must have been-
could not see that his actions would become the greatest
boomerang in history.
A Great Distress
"And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub,
named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David" (v. 20).
We do not know how the boy managed to evade the
cruel sword of the Edomite. Possibly in the confusion
he was able to dodge away through the ranks of sullen
footmen. The soldiers were angry but impotent as their
royal leader pronounced the despicable death sentence,
and risked their lives when they refused to obey a com-
mand. It is not too much to suppose, therefore, that if
opportunity arose they gladly assisted the fleeing boy.
Abiathar ran for his life, and when he was able to rest for
a few moments he realized that he was alone in the world,
and friendless. Storm clouds filled his sky, and Saul
seemed likely to hound him to death. Then he remem-
bered the fugitive prince. Yes, he would go to David
and ask for help.
A Great Decision
Slowly, carefully, the young man made his way toward
the cave of Adullam. He quickly found the hillside
trail, and commenced the ascent; but almost immediately
a rough voice commanded him to stand still. Startled,
he obeyed, and a toughened sentry stepped from a hiding
place to ask the cause of this intrusion. "Young man,
where are you going, and why?" The boy told his story,
and confessed he wished to reach David. The older man's
eyes were filled with sympathy as he saw the boy's grief,
and if Abiathar asked, "Do you think David will take
me in? " the sentry hastened to dispel his fears. "Son,
of course he will. He is the friend of all the needy. My
boy, didn't you hear that 'every one that was in distress,
and every one that was in debt, and every one that was
bitter of soul, gathered themselves unto him; and he
became a captain over them: and there were with him
about four hundred men'? (I Sam. 22 :2). Son, I came
to him, and I found a welcome. What he did for me,
he will do for you. Go ahead. All is well."
A Great Deliverance
"And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the
Lord's priests. And David said unto Abiathar . . . Abide
thou with me, fear not : for he that seeketh my life seeketh
thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard" (1 Sam.
22 :21-23). That day the young man discovered three
wonderful facts. (i) A place to rest. His own home had
been destroyed, and the old surroundings were now pro-
hibited to him. The birds had their nests, but he had
no place to call home until he bowed before a charming
prince who welcomed him into the fellowship of a new
society. "My boy, stay here and rest." (ii) A promise
to reassure. Fear not . . . with me thou shalt be in
safeguard." Abide with me. I will be your protection;
my words shall be your delight; my men shall be your
brothers; and my presence shall be your home. (iii) A
peace to enjoy. Abiathar looked into the face of his new
friend, and a new calm settled upon his tired spirit, and
he lay down to rest.
