A Summons to Duty
B. Dale 1 Samuel 22:5 And the prophet Gad said to David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get you into the land of Judah. Then David departed… The prophet Gad was probably sent at the instance of Samuel to David, who was now "in the hold" in Moab, and with whom he may have become acquainted at Ramah. His message was important in relation to the future course of David (ver. 3). "According to the counsels of God he was not to seek for refuge outside the land; not only that he might not be estranged from his fatherland and the people of Israel, which would have been opposed to his calling to be king of Israel, but also that he might learn to trust entirely in the Lord as his only refuge and fortress" (Keil). There was also a special reason why he should be recalled in the incursions of the Philistines, which Saul failed to repel (1 Samuel 23:1). And the message furnished a test of his obedience to the will of God as declared by the prophets. "Immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood," but did as he was directed, and thereby afforded an instructive example to others. Consider the message as - I. COMMUNICATED BY THE PROPHETIC WORD. This word is, for us, contained in the Scriptures of truth." 1. It speaks with authority. 2. It speaks plainly, "in divers manners," according to our need, and "for our good always." 3. It speaks in the reading of the Scriptures, in the voice of preachers and teachers, parents and friends, in the recollections of the memory, and often comes to the heart and conscience with peculiar force. "Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper" (2 Chronicles 20:20). II. CALLING TO UNEXPECTED DUTY; unexpected, inasmuch as, not unfrequently - 1. It is such as we should not naturally have supposed. 2. It differs from the course which we have chosen for ourselves. "Abide not in the hold." 3. It requires us to meet unusual difficulties and dangers. "Depart, and get thee into the land of Judah" (into the very presence of a deadly foe). "Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?" (John 11:8-10; Luke 9:51). "Do thy duty; that is best; Leave unto thy Lord the rest." III. COMPLIED WITH IN A RIGHT MANNER. "And David departed," etc. 1. Without question, like a good soldier at the word of command. 2. Without hesitation or delay. 3. Without fear. How different was it with Saul! (1 Samuel 13:11; 1 Samuel 15:11). "Whosoever will save his life," etc. (Matthew 16:25). IV. CONDUCTING TO SAFETY, USEFULNESS, AND HONOUR. 1. Safety; for he was "kept by the power of God." 2. Usefulness; for he "saved the inhabitants of Keilah" (1 Samuel 23:5). 3. Honour; for he was more fully recognised as the true defender of Israel against their enemies, and his heroic band was largely increased (1 Samuel 23:13). "Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dos, wear The Godhead's most benignant grace; Nor know we anything so fair As is the smile upon thy face: Flowers laugh before thee on their beds, And fragrance in thy footing treads; Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong; And the most ancient heavens through thee are fresh and strong. Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give, And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live." (Wordsworth, 'Ode to Duty.') = - D. Parallel Verses KJV: And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. WEB: The prophet Gad said to David, "Don't stay in the stronghold. Depart, and go into the land of Judah." Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hereth.