The Cave of Adullam can be a place of great learning for those who find themselves in desperate circumstances.
The Bible offers some of the most amazing accounts of radical transformation ever witnessed in the lives of the people of God. One such notable example is recorded in the Old Testament where a group of 400 desperate followers who are “in distress, in debt and discontented” join David in the Cave of Adullam. When they eventually exit the cave, however, they are transformed into “David’s mighty men.” This account is recorded in I Samuel 22:1-2 and following, which I personalized and identified with in light of my circumstances. As is often my custom, I personally apply the scriptures as I compose poetry. In this case I composed two poems: one related to the account of a man who entered into the Cave of Adullam and the other related to a man transformed into one of “David’s mighty men” who exited the cave. A Cave of Adullam of My Own
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.
2And 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.
I Samuel 22:1-2
“Your cave can be a good place”
Apostle David Pittman
In a place set aside for those who seek to hide,
Where thick darkness tries to hold back the light of day,
In debt, of no reputation, and stripped of pride,
Where obstacles on every side block my pathway;
Divorced from every resource that could comfort me,
Bankrupt and having goods of little or no worth.
Bound by lack, I have forgotten prosperity,
Though assured that seeds sown in the dark womb still give birth.
Distressed and discontented, in despair of life,
I live in a cave of Adullam of my own,
As I attempt to dispel confusion and strife
In this place where I measure how much I have grown.
In my cavern, teach me lessons I need to learn,
That I might also instruct others in return.
From the Cave of Adullam into a Mighty Man
These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: ….
2 Samuel 23:8
“Only the cave experience can produce mighty men.”
Apostle Eric L. Warren
As I prepare to leave my cave of Adullam,
I reflect and ask just what lessons did I learn.
My life is about to take yet another turn.
While continuing to pursue my destiny,
But content, I reveal my exit strategy.
Stripped of pride that I might be clothed in righteousness,
Unwavering hope has transformed former despair.
I leave behind the chains of night with no regret.
From my life spent in the cave I have much to share.
Pressing toward a new day to be released from debt,
I move beyond the seventh day into the eighth
And exit the cave as a mighty man of faith.
The copyrighted photograph of the actual Cave of Adullam was taken by Farrell Jenkins, who comments on the passage from I Samuel in “David escaped to the Cave of Adullam,” an entry in Ferrell’s Travel Blog.
Shelly Moore Band offers a marvelous remake of the classic hymn “Jesus I Come” which begins with these lines, reminiscent of the cave experience: “Out of my bondage, sorrow and night. . . .”:
Tags: 1 Samuel 22:1-2; 2 Samuel 23:8, Cave of Adullam, David's mighty men
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