To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.” A Michtam of David when the Philistines captured him in Gath. (Psalm 56)
As we begin exploring this next psalm of David, we again find interesting thoughts to ponder in the title. David likened himself to a dove that had flown off to a distant land in order to escape his tormentor, Saul. Of course, this wasn’t just any distant land; this was the land of Philistia and the former home of Goliath of Gath. His hosts, in other words, were the kin and countrymen of the man he had slain years before in the Valley of Elah. So let us consider just how bad the situation in Israel must have been for him that he would seek refuge among hostile foreigners who, like Saul, wanted him dead.
The Bible records that, having been recognized by the servants of the king of Gath, David became fearful of what they might do to him. So in one of the strangest turn of events in the Bible, the servant of God feigned madness in order to escape the wrath of the Philistines. Whatever it was that prompted him to do this, it worked because they did not harm him which allowed him to escape to the cave of Adullam. For a long time, David was a man without a country in some respects. He was not given the luxury of remaining in one place for too long, lest he fall victim to an oppressor’s sword. And though he was forced to fly from place to place, like the dove he likened himself to, something else was developing — “everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them” (1 Samuel 22:2).
In the midst of his difficulty, God was establishing him as a leader of the people — a leader they could look to for guidance and inspiration. Consider: would you prefer to follow someone who asked others to do his fighting as Saul had in the Valley of Elah? Or would you be more prone to follow someone like David, who faced his enemy with courage and confidence in the Lord? I would choose the latter and that brings me to the point I would like to ponder today.
In so many ways, David’s life offers a prophetic picture of the Messiah and all that He was subjected to. Like David, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20) and was often forced to flee those who would have killed Him (e.g. Luke 4:16-30). Yet, when it came time to face His earthly destiny and fulfill His purpose, He did so with confidence that the Father’s Will would be accomplished through Him. Because He did this, countless millions over the centuries determined to follow Him. And so, as He leads, let us follow — no matter the costs.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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