David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. – 1 Samuel 22:1, NIV

Can you imagine a scenario whereby a king lives in hiding in a cave in his own kingdom?

We all know that God had instructed the prophet Samuel to go to Jesse’s home and anoint David as the next king.

Shortly after being anointed king, David went to the frontline and fought Goliath, the Philistine giant.

However, King Saul came to know about David earlier being anointed as the king-in-waiting. Trouble!

The young and inexperienced giant-killer had to flee for dear life, thus becoming the most-wanted fugitive in the land.

1 Samuel 21:10 – 15 shows David seeking asylum in a neighbouring country.

Unfortunately, he was easily identified as the great warrior from Judah and was consequently arrested.

On being brought before Achish King of Gash, David pretended to be mad – he made himself a drooling zombie with saliva flowing down his beard! Oh come on, David!

An anointed man of God, a warrior and a giant killer, is now quaking with fear before a heathen king and pretending to be a zombie? Well, stuff happens, you know!

Thankfully, the king of Gash ordered his men to get the “mad” man out of his presence, so David fled to the cave of Adullam and made it his home.

However, though it was an arduous affliction, Adullam also became a tremendous blessing, not only for David but also to many other people, including you and me today.

In the cave of Adullam (which means ‘ornament’ or ‘testimony’ or ‘hiding place’) was where David composed several songs including Psalm 142, Psalm 34 and Psalm 57, one of my best psalms.

David made the dingy cave of Adullam a place of singing and composing new songs! Hallelujah.

Like it did to David, your ‘Adullam experience’ has come to prepare you for the palace.

Secondly, the Adullam episode made David doubt whether God was indeed for him and if His promises would come true.

But as the superscription of our text psalm shows, David made Adullam a place of prayer.

Nothing annoys the devil more than when we turn ‘cave days’ into ‘prayer days.’

Thirdly, the cave of Adullam was where David’s elder brothers and all his extended family reunited with him.

David made the Adullam experience a time of reconnecting with his family members and relatives.

These renewed relationships would later become crucial when he eventually became the king.

Lastly, every man in distress or debt or problems came to David at the cave of Adullam and “he became their leader.”

David made Adullam a time for empowering other people and honing his own leadership skills.

In brief, David didn’t allow his Adullam experience to go to waste; he harnessed it for the greater good.

At this moment, you might be going through an agonizing ‘Adullam’ episode. It is okay.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles did face those challenging moments in their lives.

However, they never allowed them to be wasted; instead, they harnessed them for the benefit of the kingdom of God and posterity.

Just don’t lose heart because the tough times won’t last but you will.

Like it did to David, your ‘Adullam experience’ has come to prepare you for the palace.

Prayer:

Almighty God, I believe that you will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me not to allow the Adullam experience I am going through to go to waste. May it make me grow to know You better and to be a blessing to others. For the glory of your Name, Amen!