the deepening ground

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

1 Samuel 22:1-2, New Living Translation

Lately, I’ve been dwelling in the cave of Adullam. There’s a weightiness I’ve been carrying that’s nearly crippled me. For those unfamiliar with the context of this verse, David has been on the run pretty much nonstop since defeating Goliath. Jealousy has poisoned King Saul, and he’s been in hot pursuit of David, who’s done nothing wrong and continues to faithfully support God’s anointed (in Saul). Immediately before this chapter, David pretended to be insane before King Achish of Gath, in fear of what the king might do to him (considering he’s in enemy territory and the hometown of Goliath himself). So David retreats to a cave. Let’s call it the first real man cave.

And then it happens. People start joining David in Adullam, and not your typical motivational speakers or hopeful prophets. Who comes? The distressed, the deceived, and the discontented. Misery loves company, right? And yet, out of this band of 400 burned-out men will arise David’s most select group of courageous fighting men who will be known for their amazing exploits, like jumping down into a pit on a snowy day to kill a lion or single-handedly killing 300 enemy soldiers in a single battle (see 1 Chronicles 11-12). Oh, the hope this brings!

Feeling distressed, deceived, traumatized, discontented, heavy, bitter, or persecuted? Has fear been chasing you down? There’s good news. Flee to the cave of Adullam (which means the justice of the people) and join yourself to the Son of David! The cave is the crucible wherein we’re refined, raised, and then released as invincible, bearers of light.

Song of Adullam

Vincent H. Anastasi 2020

O, meet me at the cave of Adullam
where all with troubled hearts will find true peace,
where refuge from the wrath that drives you on
is found where truth awakens the deceived.
Let ev’ry discontented, burdened soul,
exchange harsh yokes for long awaited hope
and join the ranks who will not be controlled
by fear that seeks protection in mere stone.
Here find the fecund soils that ever yield
courageous souls who do amazing things,
and facing darkness, bear the light afield
’till all’s ablaze with holy phoenix wings.
Dear heart! remember how you left that cave
to soar in life that triumphs o’er the grave!