1 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 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. And there were about four hundred men with him. 3 Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4 So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5 Now the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.
1 Sam 22:1-5
Q & A：
- Discuss how David handled stress and tackled the darkest moment of his life when he was hunted, persecuted by King Saul and hid in the cave, especially after being anointed and called to be the next king of Israel and adored by many as the hero and a man of war. What is the “cave of Adullam” experience in your life, where you have felt being alone in the cold, dark and moist atmosphere (e.g. downturn in career path, corporate repositioning with drastic change in lifestyle, broken relationship with someone)? (1 Sam 22:1-5; 1 Sam 16:13)
- Do you have your identity tied to the corporate positions along with the privileges that you hold or the luxury and lifestyle at the prime of your lives? What is the risk of pursuing an identity that is associated with the world’s definition of success? Discuss what your identity should be that is sure, firm and secure, and why we should not be concerned with what people think of us when we struggle or go through the “cave of Adullam” experience, but to focus on what God thinks of us and being accepted in Christ. (John 1:12; Eph 1:3-7, 13)
- What can you learn from David when he sought refuge in God in the cave and His will for the path out of the “cave of Adullam” as he was emotionally drained and feeling helpless. Discuss the importance of having the support from our family members or friends when we are stressed out during the cold, dark and lonely time, as God allowed 400 men to gather around David to be a source of strength to him. (1 Sam 22:3-5; Psa 142:1-4; John 16:24; 1 Pet 5:7; Ecc 4:10-12; Psa 143:10)