Adullam
The cave of Adullam became David's refuge after he fled the Philistine city of Gath, and it was there that his family joined him along with everyone 'in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented' - roughly four hundred men who formed the nucleus of his loyal band. It was also at Adullam that three of David's mighty men risked their lives breaking through Philistine lines just to bring him water from the well of Bethlehem, a gift so costly David refused to drink it and poured it out to the LORD instead. The cave stands as a picture of how God gathers and shapes the discontented and desperate into something significant.
Details
- Region
- Judah (Shephelah)
- Modern Location
- Tel Adullam, Israel
Key Passages
David Gathers His Men at Adullam
1 Samuel 22:1-2
Everyone in distress, debt, or discontent gathers to David at the cave of Adullam - the unlikely beginning of his mighty band of warriors.
1avid therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his fatherโs house heard it, they went down thither to him.
Water from the Well of Bethlehem
2 Samuel 23:13-14
Three mighty men break through Philistine lines at great risk to bring David water from home - a gift he honors by refusing to drink it and pouring it out to the LORD.
13nd three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.