David’s Cry: The Madness of King Saul
The Full Text of 1 SAMUEL 22
“be merciful unto me, oh God!
shadowed wings…caved about
calamities, surrounding me
by Most High God, I’m found”
“I will cry to Him that performs
and meets, from Heaven, my need”
though foes follow…tried to swallow
delivered from reproached deeds
“though my soul is among lions
tongue and teeth, as two edged sword
above the skies…exalted high
you are my glorious Lord!”
“a net, prepared, for my steps
my own soul…publicly read
they dug a hole, an earthen bowl
and they fell, within, instead”
silently paused…foe’s trappings, turned
meditated grace…pondered
through David’s prose…worship arose
and through Adullam…wandered
shepherd boy shows warrior’s wisdom
to his God…worship flowing
“my heart is set…both fixed and kept”
God’s hidden psalmist…growing
“awake glory, psaltery, and harp”
tuning towards Heaven’s tenor
Adullam’s tomb…is worship’s womb…
in darkness…he remembers…
to “praise Him among the people…
declaring truth…unto the clouds”
David’s desire…igneous choir
Adullam’s rocks…crying loud
“be exalted above heaven…
and your glory above earth”
echoed cavern…”David’s Tavern”
worship quenches kingly thirst
worship leaves distinctive witness
distressed warriors…seeking king
slaves unto debt…bitter souls, met
David’s men: four hundred…cling
this gathering…unpredicted
Israel’s outcasts seek to hide
these renegades…in refuged caves
David’s lair…spelunker’s guide
captain of an outcast army
rejects… nothing more to lose
bitter of soul…betrayal’s goal
warriors with an attitude
not men…that man…would ever choose
mind, will and emotion…drained
lowest morale…David’s corral
men whose souls are nigh…insane
not the army he first chooses
yet God saved the best…for last
men in reserve…David…to serve
for God’s choice was man’s outcasts
what the wilderness had taught him
time has come…to be applied
embittered man…Davidic plan
mercy and truth override
disparaging men…apprehended
by a voice within a voice
covenant man…they understand
truth bears witness of God’s choice
no different than a wounded flock
led by neglection’s breech
but staff and rod, from David’s God
guides and rescues…mercy’s reach
mighty men by mercy’s making
original recipe
that none can boast…of David’s host
ruddy shepherd is the key
whose slain heart was ever thankful
what heaven’s lamb has rescued
worship that forged…was not ignored
David’s men soon follow cue
forgiven ranks…are most deadly
when they practice worship’s key
as gallant men, learning to win
battles fought on bended knee
thirsty men…stripped…to barest bone
parched…deep within their marrow
David rejoiced…at Wisdom’s choice
destined…for straight and narrow
infallible presence…coming
when worship’s high tide surges
by ebb and flow…this undertow
inevitable merger
overcome by powered presence
overtaken by heaven’s land
refreshing pause…reminder’s clause
for by grace alone…they stand
governmentally rejected
by a King…these men fearing
yet David knows, an army grows
dry bones with flesh…appearing
though counted as dead…yet living
bleached dry…by heated disgrace
men Saul rejects…David accepts
mighty men drawn face to face…
sinew forming each day passing
there’s life in Adullam’s lair
Jesse’s “younger”…teaching hunger
and thirsting…worship’s prayer
these men learn Davidic worship
his adoration…witnessed
Adullam’s gym…has growing limbs
in need of Godly fitness
they identified…with David
his anointing…growing bold
men he trained…un-insaned
worshiping in Judah’s hold
sum and substance…of his presence
these resplendent bones…drinking
dew of heaven…Godly leaven
these bones arising…linking
hidden weapon of God…forming
hearts transformed by unseen host
heaven’s caress…refreshing breath
men restored by Holy Ghost
to Mizpeh, of Moab, traveled
bids greeting…request hovers
mother?, father?…not much bother
Moab’s King…parent’s cover
mom and pop…tucked away, safely
David seeking the Lord’s will
Gad expounds: “Get out of town…
head for Judah’s higher hills”
Saul hears…”David discovered”
addresses left-handed men
“all Benjamites…willing to fight”
House of Saul…bribing his kin
Saul’s authority…impressive
if you’re moved by raging hate
bribery’s guile…Saulistic style
and by promised real estate
fields and vineyards…by appointment
kingdom grapes… pruned for dressing
or Captain’s bars… unsuffered scars
“can David match this blessing?”
“for it seems that each one of you…
are in league”…corporate trouble
“you have withheld…conspired, and failed…
to prove son’s heart sees double”
“yet he’s made a league with David”
“for me, you should feel pity”
“my son has stirred…David’s “sheep” herd
lies waiting…near this city”
Doeg, lord over Saul’s servants
witnessed sighting David… sworn
of priestly bread…conversing said
and arming…Goliath’s sword
psalmist writes of Doeg…spying
“why boast a man…his deceit…
devouring words, shall be heard…
when slaying innocent feet”
“God shall erase Doeg…forever…
He shall take him…far away…
no dwelling place…wicked embrace…
revealing his feet…of clay”
“rooted out of the land of life…
meditate…on Doeg’s toil…
the righteous seed, shall laugh indeed…
wickedness…unfertiled soil”
“but I am alive, and growing…
as a green tree…well rooted…
within the frame…mercy’s domain…
God’s greenhouse…olive fruited”
“Doeg plucked…as thorny briars…
I am rooted…better yet…
and I will wait…anticipate…
Your mercy…”David reflects
Saul troubled by Doeg’s witness
calls Ahimelech…the priest
all ordained kin…gathered again
accused…helping…Jesse’s “least”
Doeg’s words to Saul…alarming
two parts truthful…one twisted
this Benjamite…turned ghostly white
fear came from third part…listed
no problem with the shewbread loaves
five cakes that were held…beneath
nor giant’s sword…by ephod…stored
or his rightful claim…unsheathed
‘twas the part about “inquiring”
sore spot is Saulistic clue
King’s future tense…silent silence
cannot cope…with those who do
“if God speaks not unto the King…
not one shall have priest’s privilege”
Doeg obeys…Saulistic graves
Nob…now a priestless village
Doeg sacrifices priesthood
King Saul’s madness…is blood draped
Godly men died…four score…and five
only one young boy…escapes
Doeg’s fury turns towards families
wives and children…in a line
all priestly trees…seen as diseased
“leave no witnesses behind”
“slay everything…that hears God’s voice…
all creatures of husbandry”
oxen and sheep, slain at his feet
Doeg’s sword lets nothing flee
“utterly destroy this city”
past words echoed…fueled Saul’s hate
Samuel’s decree…”slay enemies…
Amalek…how they laid in wait”
same accusation…Saul…had made
to Nob’s priest…about David
“he lies in wait…won’t hesitate”
Saul’s madness…as though rabid
bitter King shows just how madly
God’s anointed…can be spent
by one mistake…a leader makes
and chooses not…to repent
Doeg’s sword…yet with Saul’s blessing
would slay all within…but one
Ahimelech’s…orphaned, yet kept
‘twas Abiathar, his son
singled son of servant priesthood
by stealth grace escaped…and fled
“abide with me…a guarantee…
you will be safe”, David said
single refugee…escaping
only witness of Nob’s dead
an orphaned son, now on the run
David learns…the price of bread
men who fellowship with David
ones willing…to sacrifice
ultimate cost…when lives are lost
Saul’s javelinistic price
shewbread cakes…most expensive
painful lesson must be gleaned
Saulistic friend…endangered… them
Davidic visit…being seen
opportunists…always seeking
information…gossip’s guile
words for “rent”…deadly intent
prime false witness…Doeg’s style
“I have caused the death of many…
each soul…of your father’s land”
priestly ephod…ordained of God
held by Abiathar’s hand
Lovedmadlydeeplymuchly…Jt
