Episode 22 (part 1):
"David left Gath and ran away to the cave of Adullam. David’s brothers and relatives heard that David was at Adullam and went to see him there. Many people joined David. There were men who were in some kind of trouble, men who owed a lot of money, and men who were just not satisfied with life. All kinds of people joined David, and he became their leader. He had about 400 men with him." - 1 Samuel 22:1-2 ERV
Possible modern day interpretation: Dan (playing David) is on the run because his manager, Sean, hired hitmen to take him out. Sean was struggling mentally and ultimately upset that the CEO was going to demote him and promote Dan instead. Dan finds an abandoned hut to hide in. His family is worried that the hitmen will come looking for them too so they hide in the shelter. Next thing Dan knows, a bunch of other people start showing up too...those with IRS/bankruptcy/student loan debt, undocumented workers about to be deported, those "canceled" by society, those with disabilities, those just getting out of jail with nowhere to go, those that feel alone and/or unhappy, etc. Eventually, he gains an entire organization of people and creates his own company. All the people that were or felt rejected and found Dan in an abandoned hut then become these super talented employees and executives for Dan's company. God blessed the company in mighty ways, making it prosper and flourish amongst its competitors.
Takeaways/thoughts
David's awesome army that helped him accomplish many military feats didn't start off as a bunch of well trained, well-known warriors chosen by society; quite the opposite. David's army was formed hidden in a cave before he even became the king. His army consisted of people in trouble, in debt, and dissatisfied with life, yet God used them for His Will. What a privilege, honor, and relief!
Don't underestimate people (or yourself) based on life circumstances in one season. Don't underestimate how God will use them. Basically, don't underestimate God. God is unpredictable. His ways and thoughts are not ours. They're often counter-cultural.
Those in trouble (possibly with the cops), those in debt (possibly with the IRS), and those unsatisfied (possibly with themselves) that started off hiding in a cave end up being the same "misfits" that helped David save the people of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1-6), raid Israel's enemies (Geshurites, Girzites, Amalekites - 1 Samuel 28:3), defeat the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30), conquer Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-12), and subdue the Philistines, Moabites, king Hadadezer and 27,000 men, 22,000 Arameans, and 18,000 Edomites.
Some of the same "ride or die" men with David in the desert/wilderness running from Saul are later classified as the Mighty Thirty and The Three. What's fascinating about this group of outcasts turned warriors are the feats some of them accomplished. Their lasting legacy is not that they were in trouble, in debt, and unsatisfied. Their lasting legacy is being "David's Mighty Men" (2 Samuel 21:15-21, 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:10-41)!
• Jashobeam - killed 800 in one battle
• Eleazar - stood his ground and fought with David even when the other men retreated; he fought until his hand was so tired it stuck to the sword. The Lord blessed them with a great victory.
• Shammah held his ground in the middle of a lentil field and beat the Philistines after the rest of the Israelite army fled.
• Three men heard David say he wanted water from the well in Bethlehem, but it was occupied by the enemy. The men broke through enemy lines anyway and got David some water. David poured it out as an offering to the Lord and in appreciation of the 3 men's risky devotion.
• Abishai killed 300 in a battle.
• Benaiah killed two of Moab's best men, killed a lion in a pit in the snow, and struck down a 7.5 ft Egyptian with his own spear.
This reminds me of Jesus, who didn't have an army of highly educated, prestigious saints. He had a group of outcast sinners who became a mighty group that accomplished many great things for God's glory.
• Impulsive, ready to cut you, cussed = Peter
• Shady IRS employee = Matthew
• Gang member = Simon the Zealot
• Interested in vengeance and special positions = James & John (sons of thunder)