David, a type of the rejected Christ, becomes a center of attraction for his brothers. His family, all his relatives, gather themselves around him. They were for David; they recognized him as the Lord’s anointed, the one through whom the Lord would save His people, the instrument of grace in Israel. They knew that they, like the head of their family, could expect nothing from the world but contempt and persecution; so their only resource was to seek refuge in the one who from the human point of view was himself without resource.

But another class of people also sought refuge with David in the cave of Adullam: “And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them” (1 Sam. 22:2). Not only those related to him because they shared a common origin, but also such who had no such bond, joined David. Their common characteristic was that they had lost everything. Some were “in distress,” not knowing which way to turn; others were “in debt,” unable to pay; and finally, others were “discontented,” having sorrows for which there was no remedy, created by the state of things in Israel.

All these found a sure refuge with David, as is found today with a rejected Christ. Have you found refuge with the rejected Christ? A person does not do so until he is without resource and has lost all hope of helping himself. The world in this case will despise you, yet nonetheless you will lack nothing. The felt presence of the Lord Jesus experienced by your soul; the treasures of the Word placed at your disposition and known; and finally the means of approaching God, furnished by the priesthood of Christ who brings us into fellowship with Him: such are the benefits which our David dispenses during the time of His rejection. Nothing more is wanting than that He be manifested in glory to the eyes of all.