Images of the Savior (David’s Band of Wretches)

David therefore departed from there, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. – 1 Samuel 22:1-2

Abide with me, fear not: for he that seeks my life seeks your life: but with me you shall be in safeguard.– 1 Samuel 22:23

There can be no doubt that the most outstanding type of the Messiah in all the Old Testament scriptures is King David. At every point in the detailed history of his life, we see shadows of the promised Christ, who would likewise come as a Shepherd and a King, strike an irreversible blow against the great champion of the enemy of God’s people, be despised by his brothers and his kindred; and yet finally win for his people a great victory, make them into a great nation, and reign over them as their true King and Deliverer. And even beyond these striking histories, we encounter in David’s psalms some of the clearest and most poignant descriptions of the trials, temptations, and victories that Christ himself should undergo in his great work of redemption – psalms such as twenty-two, forty, and a great many more like them. Moreover, it was promised to David alone that the One who should reign forever would come from his loins, and sit upon his throne (2 Samuel 7:12-16). For all of these reasons, the title “Son of David” was the preferred title for Christ, when he walked upon the earth (e.g. Matthew 1:1; Matthew12:23; Matthew 21:15-16); and in the prophets, we have the singular example of the Christ being referred to simply as “David,” so compelling and thoroughgoing was the typology (Ezekiel 37:24-25).

It would, therefore, be highly impractical, in an article of this length and nature, to attempt a point-by-point analysis of the typology displayed in the life of David the King; instead, let it suffice to reflect upon one very striking circumstance in his life of humiliation, which proceeded his time of glorification, when he finally sat upon the throne – and that is, the band of wretches which gathered themselves unto him for salvation. To which account, in 1 Samuel 22, we now turn our attention.

First, let us consider the band in general, before we turn to the outstanding example of that band, in the persecuted priest Abiathar. At the time that this band gathered unto David, he had already been anointed to reign over Israel; in consequence of which solemn consecration, he had taken up arms against the people’s great enemy, and had been victorious in the power of the Lord. And yet, the people had rejected him, and the leaders of the people sought to kill him, so that he was forced to escape to the wilderness to preserve his life. So the Christ was anointed to reign over God’s people (does not “Christ” simply mean “the Anointed One”?); and yet, when he “came unto his own,” “his own received him not” (John 1:11).

But not all in Israel rejected him; for those who were despised and hopeless, the wretches among the people, who were distressed, discontented, and indebted, gathered unto him. So when Christ walked upon the earth, those who did gather themselves unto him were not the satisfied and self-righteous, but the rebels and wretches among the people. He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). He did not bless with the spiritual bread of righteousness those who were already full, but those who hungered and thirsted (Matthew 5:6). He did not heal the strong and healthy, but those who were sick (Luke 5:31). So it pleased the Father to give to him those who are despised and ignoble (see 1 Corinthians 1:27-29); and so he gathered such together, in accordance with the prophecies that he should do so, just as David had done before him (see Isaiah 61:1-3).

Now, let us consider Abiathar in particular: he, because of the loyalty of the priestly family in Nob to David, was fiercely persecuted by Saul the King. So fierce was Saul’s opposition that he murdered the entire priestly family, and Abiathar alone escaped and fled to David. Because Saul hated David, he also hated all those who loved David, and were loyal to him. Let us remember that we too, if we would be loyal to David’s Son, will be persecuted even as he was. “The servant is not above his master” (John 15:20). If they persecuted the Son of David, they will also persecute his band of wretches.

Consider, moreover, that Abiathar was a priest of God. So too, we who have fled to the Son of David for refuge are to God “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) – but let us learn as well, from the rest of Peter’s epistle, that God’s royal priesthood must undergo persecution, in the footsteps of Christ who suffered for us (see 1 Peter 2:21-25)!

Finally, we must take note of David’s welcoming words to Abiathar the priest, when he had come to him: “Abide with me,” he told him, “and fear not.” Why should he not fear? Just because of this, that they who sought Abiathar’s life sought also David’s life; and with David, Abiathar would be safely guarded. Which is just to say that, as long as Abiathar was a part of David’s band of outcasts, he was as secure as David himself – and David could not be finally overcome, because God had anointed him and promised him that he should be King. Fear not, Abiathar! If Saul cannot conquer David, neither shall he conquer you. And how can mere man conquer David, when, to fight against him is to fight against the Almighty God who anointed him to be King!

Now, from this typical history, let us draw out these three lessons: first, would you belong to Christ, the Son of David? Would you be an heir to his kingdom? Would you reign with him forevermore? Then know that in his kingdom, those who are first will be last; and those who are sure of their own lives will lose them at the end (Matthew 20:16; John 12:25). How will Christ calm your fears with his gospel-assurance if you are not in distress over your sin and hopelessness? How will he forgive your immense sin-debt to the Father, if you cannot see yourself indebted at all? How will he saitisfy your souls if you are not discontented with the husks of this world? The strong and noble did not flee to David, but the wretches – how much more must this be the case with David’s Son?

Second, let us learn that, if we are true priests of God, among the ranks of those who are loyal to David’s Son, we must assure ourselves that we will meet opposition in this life. If the prince of this world hates Jesus, he will hate all those who belong to Jesus. This world is now in his power, and must ever oppose all whom he hates, all who show themselves true to Christ. Know this, O Christian: “We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

And yet, for all this, we must not despair. Are you with Christ? Then you are in safe-keeping with him. All those who hate and afflict you hate and oppose Jesus as well. And he has so bound himself to you that, forevermore, his fate must be yours. Would the world conquer you? They must conquer him first. And Jesus is the Anointed Christ of the Most High, the Son of David and the Son of God. All who oppose him must face the irresistible power and and unshakable will of the Omnipotent Lord. May anyone then defeat our Hero, David’s Son? Ah, but they are too late, for he has already fought the battle, and he has already won. He has already triumphed over all the forces of darkness through his death on the cross, and through his victorious resurrection from the dead (Colossians 2:13-15). He has already sat down in triumph at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). Who can condemn you? Who can overcome? Sin? – but it is already put away as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12). Satan? – but he is already cast out (John 12:31). The world? – but is that not the very world that Christ is coming to judge in righteousness (Acts 17:31)? The battle is already won; and if you are in David’s band, you will share David’s victory.

O Sinner, admit yourself indebted, distressed, discontented! The Son of David seeks such to be his people – of all who come to him, he will turn none away. O Wavering Christian, be true to Christ your Savior! How great an honor it will be to be counted worthy to share in the fellowship of his sufferings. O Persecuted Believer, look to Jesus, where he is seated at the right hand of God in victory! His victory is yours, and you will be an overcomer in the end. Can you imagine that those who hate you should topple the Throne of David, and cast out David’s Son, Jesus Christ the Lord? No more can they defeat you, for when you are in his band, you are in safekeeping with him. His destiny will be your destiny, and in his Kingdom you will finally reign as his princes and brothers.

2 Responses to “Images of the Savior (David’s Band of Wretches)”

  1. Chris says:
    February 4, 2007 at 3:02 pm

    That is a great picture of the remnant that would cling to the Messiah. It was a great foreshadowing of God’s covenant faithfulness in the Messiah.

    Edifying as always.

  2. The Aspiring Theologian says:
    February 11, 2007 at 7:46 am

    I have just been reading up on 1 and 2 Samuel for my personal devotion, and your excellent post was a great companion to that study. David was indeed, for all his glory and might, just a foreshadowing of the ultimate King, Jesus Christ.

    In Him, Albert Shepherd The Aspiring Theologian

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