Jesus, the refuge in which we are hidden from all dangers

1 Samuel 22:2: “And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them.” (NKJV)

There are numerous similarities between David and Jesus in the story where David fled from King Saul and became the refuge for many people. Each one displaying a significant part of Jesus. Let’s have a look!

King Saul became envious of David and wanted to kill him. David feared for his life and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Thereafter, David became the refuge for everyone who was in distress, in debt and discontented. A similar situation arose years later when King Herod found out about the Messiah being born and ordered an edict that all baby boys must be killed in the hope that he will eliminate the threat of the promised Messiah overtaking his throne.

In spite of the impending dangers, both David and Jesus ended up reigning in victory. The same way David became the captain of those weak and lost souls; Jesus became the King of the destitute. Jesus received distressed souls and became our Commander in Chief and Refuge.

In this story about Saul and David, we read about Saul’s jealousy of David and his fear that David will overtake his throne and he therefore sought to kill him. Saul and his servants ended up killing the priests of the LORD. However, Abiathar who was the son of Ahimelec a high priest who was also killed during Saul’s rampage brought David the message about Saul’s cruelty.

David heard about the sad news and provided comfort to Abiathar, “Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe.” (1 Samuel 22:23, NKJV)

Just like David who served as the refuge for those who came to him, so is Jesus our true Refuge today. If we will only come to Him, He will protect us from harm. Nothing we go through today is a surprise to Jesus. He foresees everything and walks through each day ahead of us, so that when our turn comes, we can take heart that He has been through it. All that is left for us to do is rest in Jesus and find our refuge in Him. David’s words to Abiathar in 1 Samuel 22:23 above resonates the words that Jesus says to us:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you…Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:14, 20, NASB)

Just like David was persecuted by Saul, so was Jesus persecuted by the Pharisees. David was made king in spite of the struggles he endured and so Jesus was made the King of Kings. No struggle we endure has escaped Jesus. He already endured the worst we could imagine. Let Him be your refuge. Let Him be your safety.

Maretha Retief

Illustration by Jeanne de Villiers