Cave of Adullam – a special place

I Samuel 22: 1,2; I Kingdoms 22:1,2

There are times in our lives – when adversaries rise against us or daunting challenges lay ahead of us – that may strike us with fear or delude us with doubt or cloud us with confusion. Such times call for an extra measure of courage, confidence and peace. While these virtues are gifts of God, they must be acquired through the means available to all of us. Certainly, these will vary with time and circumstances.

A respected and godly teacher of mine in seminary once said, “Sometimes, everyone needs a cave of Adullam.”  Over the years, we have found that statement to ring true … we all need a cave of Adullam. Might we humbly and respectfully suggest, to our dear friends and fellow-servants in Christ that, in this present time and situation in our world, we all give attention to finding our cave of Adullam.

Please let me explain.

In the Old Testament book of I Samuel, we read the stirring account of David, whom God had chosen to become the next king of Israel. This news brought resentment, jealousy and fear to the sitting King Saul. Jealousy took the reins of Saul’s mind and he initiated a campaign to eliminate the possibility of David’s ascension to the throne. A harrowing drama followed, with Saul’s army pursuing the young shepherd throughout the region of Judah.

Then “David escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s household heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontent gathered to him. So, he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.” (I Samuel 22:1,2)

It was in that cave of Adullam (“justice of the people”), his place of refuge, where David found safety from his enemies, where he found strength in the loyalty and brotherhood of his friends and where he drew stamina to go forth and fulfill his calling. What began there in the cave of Adullam would manifest itself many times in the years ahead. The remembrance of Adullam would inspire and invigorate David and his followers even in the darkest hours. The spirit of Adullam rested with David and his faithful companions as we read later …. “For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.” (I Chronicles 12:22)

We may be reminded of the special places in the lives of some of God’s people: Abraham at Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22); Moses at the burning bush of Sinai (Exodus 3); Elijah at the Brook Cherith (I Kings 17); Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane (John 17); the Disciples in the upper room (John 13-16); Paul on the Damascus Road (Acts 9); John at Patmos (Revelation 1) – just to name a few.

Adullam must not be forgotten. Those initial days in the cave with the loyal and courageous few must always remain precious. Nearly 300 years later, the holy prophet Micah spoke the word of the Lord to the people of Judah (descendents of David’s people): “I will bring an heir to you, O inhabitant of Mareshah (inheritance); the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam.” (Micah 1:15)

So, for us, as we gather in worship and prayer around our Lord Jesus in the Church – in our homes – in our personal prayer time – in fellowship with like-minded believers – these can be our caves of Adullam. When the adversaries of our faith and the enemies of our way of life rise against what is good and right and true, we retreat to our Adullam. There, the presence of our Lord and the love of our brethren inspire and invigorate us to “fight the good fight, to finish the race and to keep the faith …. knowing that there is laid up for us the crown of righteousness … “ (II Timothy 4: 7,8)  

Yes, everyone needs a cave of Adullam …. a place of safety, of strength and of stamina. May God grant you that blessing as you continue on this path of life to serve your God and your Church.

With our prayers,

Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie Moore