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 got out of the “cave of Adullam” situation and the qualities of a leader demonstrated when he led his men who were in fear to fight against the armies of the Philistines to save the inhabitants of Keilah. Compare how people in the Old Testament hear from God to us, who are more privileged living in the New Testament. (1 Sam 23:1-5; 1 Sam 22:5)
- Discuss from your experience of how God speaks to you and what helps in training yourself to listen to or tune in to God’s voice. Explain what it means for “the Word of God to be powerful and sharp in piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” by referring to what the soul is made up of. (John 10:27; Rom 8:14; 1 Thes 5:23; Heb 4:12)
- Discuss why our mind might struggle to accept or make sense out of the leading of God or the prompting of the Holy Spirit as in the situation where David led his 400 men to attack the Philistines while they had a good hideout from King Saul. Explain what the spirit of man refers to and why you should always get an assurance from God before you take action to go ahead with any major decision. (Prov 20:27; Heb 11:1)