Drawing things together, we see that David is not immune to panic and fear. He was a man like you and me. An ordinary man who loved the LORD, yet nevertheless a man who struggled to walk in God’s ways. He wasn’t perfect by any means. He didn’t merit God’s favour. Still, the LORD provided for him. The LORD protected him. The LORD looked after his servant. Being the anointed king, what happened to him is meant to prepare us for the coming of the true Messiah. This episode in his life in particular serving to confirm that suffering and loneliness will be part and parcel of the Messiah’s experience.
And so when the Son took on flesh and lived among us, we are not surprised to read of his sufferings. A time of temptation in the desert where he had to make do with no bread. The accusations of madness that were levelled against him by his family. The surprising recognition that came from his enemies, demons and devils recognised him as the Christ whereas his own people refused to submit to his claims. His planning and care for his mother even as he hung on the cross. There are many parallels that we can point to, parallels between David and Jesus.
One clear difference however was Jesus’ continued trust in the LORD. He did not lie and deceive to escape trouble. Not when he was face to face with the devil and not when his life was on the line in front of Pontius Pilate. No he was resolutely committed to doing the work that the Father gave him to do. Resolute in his task even though it went through dark valleys. Resolute from start to finish, cradle to the grave, he passed all the tests with flying colours. He lived the perfect life in our place so that he could also die the death that we deserve.
1 Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?”