In the Old Testament our Father has provided many pictures to illustrate truths mentioned in the New. We find the particular truth of James 2.5 "Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love him?" illustrated by the life and experiences of David and his men in the cave of Adullam. When David was forced to leave his house he went into the wilderness and selected a very large cave to dwell in. Then he gathered a faithful company from all the tribes of Israel, who shared his trials and experiences as an outcast, a fugitive while in the cave of Adullam, and later they shared with him his glory when he became king. These experiences of David, between his rejection by Saul and becoming king, picture something of this Gospel age. During this time our Lord has been gathering out a little band, not only from all the tribes of Israel, but from every kindred, tongue and nation. They are called to follow him through difficult experiences now; and later when He is recognized as King over all the world, they are promised a place with Him.

Who were the men who were drawn to David, and what were their characteristics? 1 Sam. 22. 1-2 says that all his father's household went there to him and also every one that was discontented, and he became captain over them. Some were drawn by ties of relationship, others by admiration of David himself and his character, but many were drawn by personal trouble. Some were in distress, some in debt, and came to David to escape from those who oppressed them. Others came under Saul's wrath like David while some were discontented on account of the King's tyranny and oppression and came by way of escape. From some viewpoints they were not at all a desirable band. So we turn to the company the Lord is selecting and are reminded of the Apostle's words: "Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth." Some have, indeed, been drawn to Him because of their great love for Him, others by an appreciation of His great sacrifice and many by personal affliction and trouble. Worn out by the trials and troubles of the world, we sought rest; discontented with the oppression and tyranny of the god of this world, we came to the Lord and can now say: "Jesus has satisfied, Jesus is mine." Perhaps on account of medical difficulties or the loss of loved ones we sought rest and were drawn to the Lord.

When David's men came to him no hard conditions were laid down before they could enter the company. Any might come to him; he set no age limit, no standard of fitness. Some were indeed strong, mighty men; others so weak that on some occasions they were left behind, unfit to stand the fatigues with the rest of the band. David did not pry into their past life; some had been noble, fine characters, others ignoble, but David was willing to let bygones be bygones. Only two simple conditions were laid down. Do you accept David as your leader and do you believe that he can deliver you from your oppressors and Saul? Are you willing to follow him wherever he leads? It will cost you something. You will need to be, as David is, an outcast, a fugitive. You will come under the scorn of Israel. Are you willing to share his outcast experiences? These conditions were accepted by David's followers, as is shown by their exclamation, "We are yours, O David, and with you O son of Jesse. "(1 Chron. 12. 18)

Those who would follow the Lord now find no hard conditions laid down; He places no age limit. Some give their entire life to Him in their youth, but others come after having spent the largest portion of their life in the pursuit of worldly hopes, pleasures and aims; yet the Lord accepts both. He also places no standard of fitness. Some have many talents while others feel they have nothing to bring. A dark past life is not against them. Some have spent their lives serving others, but some have lived for self. But the 'past in under the blood'. He lays down two conditions much as David did: Do you accept Jesus as your Saviour; do you believe He can deliver you? Do you accept Him as your leader and are you willing to follow the Lamb wherever He goes? We need to sit down and count the cost, for it will be costly. It will mean standing up for what is unpopular; going to Him 'without the camp, bearing His reproach'.

When these men came to David they entered into entirely new experiences. Old things passed away and all things became new. All would not run smoothly in the cave; they would have many trials to meet. They had come to David to escape trials, but they found trials right there in the cave. There were men from all the tribes of Israel, varying in habits and temperament. They were all men of grit, or they dare not have joined themselves with David. They were all forced to live together in a cave, and how apparent to each other their weaknesses would become; how often their ideas would clash. There would certainly be many difficulties in that cave; they would often rub one another the wrong way. One thing, however, would tend to bind them together, the desire of their leader that they should live together as one family and gradually that desire of David began to soften their disagreements.

We have similar experiences, for the Lord has drawn His people from every kingdom, nation and tongue. He knew full well that there would be differences cropping up and we would be inclined to view things from standpoints. He understood that there would be differences of opinion but the desire of our Leader is that we should endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. It will take some effort but we remember our Lord's prayer. "Father, just as you are in me and I in you, may they also be in us... that they may be one as we are one" (John 17. 21-22 NIV). We know that our love for the Lord will be shown by our love for the brethren and we must endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit. We cannot countenance revolution m the cave. The Lord will measure our love for Him by our desire to live in peace, but what can we do to keep this spirit of peace? When the children of Israel murmured on account of the report brought back by the spies sent to view the land of Canaan, Caleb was able to "still the people before Moses" (Num. 13.30) and the secret of Caleb's power is given in Numbers 14. 24: "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me whole heartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to". He had not the spirit of strife but of peace, and the secret of his great influence lay in the fact that he followed God fully. The experiences of David's followers, however, would not all be trying; they also had blessings. They came under the influence of David's life, and his life was one of devotion. He was a godly man, a man of prayer, very often pouring out his soul in prayer to God; and he was a man of praise. Oft-times he would take up his harp in tuneful praise. How this would soften their harshness. David was so skilful on the harp that when, prior to his Adullam experiences, he played before Saul, evil spirits that possessed Saul, left him. He delighted to meditate on the law given to Israel through Moses and probably would often call his followers and read to them from the law (see Psalm 34. 11). On two occasions he could have killed Saul but he refused to lift up his hand against the Lord's anointed for he had implicit trust in God. His influence must have worked wonders on the hearts of his rough followers, as is shown by the testimony paid them by Nabal's men (1 Sam. 25.15-16). What a splendid tribute to pay to this company, who, before they had come under David's influence, would have robbed and plundered whenever possible.

As with these men, so with the followers of the Lord. We come under the entirely new influences of the Master through the Holy Spirit. Jesus gathers us to Him to instruct us. "Where two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst of them". Scripture does not read "there will I come." Jesus is already there, and we are gathered to Him. We do not come together to learn some new truth, nor to be refreshed by some old truths, nor yet to meet with the brethren, but we meet to hold communion with Jesus.

These men also entered into a new security. Adullam means 'resting place'. The cave was situated six miles south-west of Bethlehem, and to reach it one had to pass along a narrow path by the side of a precipice. On one side was a rocky gorge, and on the other high, towering rocks. Then one entered a crevice leading sheer into the face of the rock that was so low that it was impossible to stand in an upright position; one must enter in a crouched attitude. Against David and his men in the cave Saul was powerless, no matter how large an army he brought against them. They had to pass in single file along the narrow path on the mountain side, and enter one at a time what appeared to be a pitch dark hole in the rock. David and his men had the advantage of looking towards the light and could see each one as he entered. They were quite secure; only in the daytime dare Saul attack them, and at night they went down into the neighbouring villages for supplies. This pictures another blessing in our Adullam life. We have entered into a new security. "Our life is hid with Christ in God", and no power in the universe can hurt the spiritual life of a Christian; none can pluck us out of His hand (John 10. 29). If our faith were as strong as our security is good we should never be afraid (Psa. 27.1)

A later phase of David's life with his followers is given in 1 Chron. 11.3. David is now anointed king over Israel. He was no longer an outcast with only six hundred men but thousands flock to his side. It was now popular to be one of David's followers

(1 Chron. 12. 23-40). What now became of the faithful six hundred? Were they forgotten when David had so many? The time had come for them to be specially remembered. They shared in David's trials, so they were to share in his honour.

1 Chron.11.11- 12.24, tells of his faithful Adullam band. We know that we too will soon be involved in the greatest change the world has ever experienced. Soon, it will be popular to be on the Lord's side. All will then want to give themselves in full consecration, but the opportunity of becoming heirs of the Kingdom will be forever gone. Only those who have shared with Jesus in His Adullam experiences can hope to have a place on the honours list of the Kingdom. Those who would share with Him in His Kingdom must go with Him outside the camp, bearing his reproach; for it's 'No cross, no crown"(Matt.19, 28-29). The honours list is being written and we should note the names already written there and the great deeds that have won them distinction. There is Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. When his persecutors came against him he said: "1 see Jesus standing on the right hand of God." He also prayed: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge ". Col. 4 records a number of faithful saints who have found a place on the honours list. Epaphras an invalid who laboured 'fervently for you in prayer". v12 "Priscilla and Aquila, who have laid down their own necks for my sake" (Rom. 16.3); and among others mentioned in this chapter is "Rufus and his mother and mine". Rufus' mother apparently had a very warm place in the Apostle's heart, as he referred to her as his own mother. Are we following in the Lord's Adullam footsteps? If so, He will certainly record our names there. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. "The matter now rests with ourselves. We must give all diligence to make our calling sure, and remember that God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, "which He has promised to them that love him."

AS